New Lift

[goldenboy80]

FWIW, I rode the Swift Current quad at Big Sky in visits in two straight years. My impression was that it was fast, quiet, reliable, and did I say fast? If it’s overhauled it will obviously have new components, but karma-wise at least it has a solid performance history. And the chairs were comfortable…

Sick... I think this is going to be good. I just wish there was time to get everything set up for next season. I want to lap some powder runs on freshly cut trails with sneaky drinks at BW in between.

[Rossignolsoul7]

The Swift Current was a great lift, it is perfect for this new WM lift. A DC-6 would have been overkill at that location. Better keep DC-6 for SQ replacement one day.

During a call with Riverside Homeowners last night, Karl confirmed that the "new lift" permit applications were filed only 2 weeks ago and it that it typically takes about 6 months to a year for the approval. So he said the lift is likely going to be installed during the summer of 2023 for an opening during the 2023-2024 season. He also said that they may start to cut a few trails next fall.

Be patient.

[gondicar]

The Swift Current was a great lift, it is perfect for this new WM lift. A DC-6 would have been overkill at that location. Better keep DC-6 for SQ replacement one day.

During a call with Riverside Homeowners last night, Karl confirmed that the "new lift" permit applications were filed only 2 weeks ago and it that it typically takes about 6 months to a year for the approval. So he said the lift is likely going to be installed during the summer of 2023 for an opening during the 2023-2024 season. He also said that they may start to cut a few trails next fall.

Be patient.

Ok, who hacked Rossignolsoul7’s account?

[ThinkingAhead]

The Swift Current was a great lift, it is perfect for this new WM lift. A DC-6 would have been overkill at that location. Better keep DC-6 for SQ replacement one day.

During a call with Riverside Homeowners last night, Karl confirmed that the "new lift" permit applications were filed only 2 weeks ago and it that it typically takes about 6 months to a year for the approval. So he said the lift is likely going to be installed during the summer of 2023 for an opening during the 2023-2024 season. He also said that they may start to cut a few trails next fall.

Be patient.

Ok, who hacked Rossignolsoul7’s account?

I believe Karl stated that the application for the West Mountain Project (which includes the lift, trails, housing plans, etc) was submitted to DEP two months ago. Just to confirm that, on Oct 8 Ethan commented as follows in the Some Updates and Your Questions post: Fri Oct 08, 2021 9:20 pm:
“The West Mountain project is moving forward as planned. The pandemic probably slowed the process by about a year, but we remain on track with it. Our application to the Maine DEP was submitted several weeks ago, and pending the length of the approval process, we’re hopeful that first stages of construction can begin as early as next summer or possibly fall.” Based on Ethan’s comment, the application was submitted to DEP during the latter part of September.

He also stated that DEP may have additional issues, therefore the plan may have additional modifications.

[essslsclsact]

I'm a bit bummed at this timing as this lift has been talked about and in the planning stages for soooo long and other Boyne Resorts seem to get things done so much quicker. I guess we all live with a paper shuffling bureaucracy.

[cccski]

I was just party to a Zoom meeting with Karl and West Mountain owners.

The new project according to Karl has the same acreage as Mt. Snow.

The Swift Current Quad application for that terrain makes perfect sense from a cost perspective.

Remember, Boyne pioneered the use of repurposed lifts to save money at their resorts.

As Karl said, "It's great to have shiny new lifts, but you need to increase our bed base because we are so far from everywhere."

Here's to hoping West Mountain is successful, the lots and units get sold, and, then, Boyne decides to grace Sugarloaf with a new signature lift.

Myself, I'll take a low profile top to bottom 8 person gondola like they have at Snowbasin with a nice, new summit restaurant.

Hey, I'm an optimist and do declare that one of the best, most fun decisions I ever made was investing and moving my ski life from New Hampshire to Sugarloaf.

[Alpiner]

I think not having a skiway from the bottom of SQ to the new lift is a mistake.

A used HSQ makes perfect sense, but it is a bit of a come-down after all the fanfare. At any rate, a 6 wouldn't get used enough there.

I'll take a low profile top to bottom 8 person gondola

If by low profile you mean low to the ground then I hope you don't want it going up Gondola Line. I believe that is Sugarloaf's most used trail.

[SpillwayEast]

I like the idea of Swifty being the WME. Make SQ a 6 pack and move it to be a new lift from Bullies to the Summit. I know lift config has been discussed here ad nauseam (had to look up the spelling) but just my 2 cents.

[myell]

Or replace super quad and timberline with one new signature lift… low profile gondola with angled mid station after crossing tote rode. Seems at least somewhat plausible.

[k2trav]

I was just party to a Zoom meeting with Karl and West Mountain owners.

The new project according to Karl has the same acreage as Mt. Snow.

Remember, Boyne pioneered the use of repurposed lifts to save money at their resorts.

As Karl said, "It's great to have shiny new lifts, but you need to increase our bed base because we are so far from everywhere."

Who cares how it compares to Mount Snow and besides that its not true, its misleading, meaningless hogwash, check Google Earth.

Do you have examples of Boyne repurposing lifts.

We've been told for 2 decades that we need to increase the bed base and it has greatly expanded, doesn't anyone pay attention to all the building that goes on each summer, there are 10 new houses being built next to Karls old house, plus 20+ more on mountain, then numerous others just this summer, lets not forget The Timbers, Timberline, Winters way, Black Bear, west mtn village.

[essslsclsact]

I was just party to a Zoom meeting with Karl and West Mountain owners.

The new project according to Karl has the same acreage as Mt. Snow.

Remember, Boyne pioneered the use of repurposed lifts to save money at their resorts.

As Karl said, "It's great to have shiny new lifts, but you need to increase our bed base because we are so far from everywhere."

Who cares how it compares to Mount Snow and besides that its not true, its misleading, meaningless hogwash, check Google Earth.

Do you have examples of Boyne repurposing lifts.

We've been told for 2 decades that we need to increase the bed base and it has greatly expanded, doesn't anyone pay attention to all the building that goes on each summer, there are 10 new houses being built next to Karls old house, plus 20+ more on mountain, then numerous others just this summer, lets not forget The Timbers, Timberline, Winters way, Black Bear, west mtn village.

AMEN!!!!

[Alpiner]

Or replace super quad and timberline with one new signature lift… low profile gondola with angled mid station after crossing tote rode. Seems at least somewhat plausible.

I want to like this idea, but I don't think you can replace SQ with a lift that forces you to take off your skis. I'd do a two stage gondola starting right next to SQ, going to Bullwinkle's then the summit.

Who cares how it compares to Mount Snow and besides that its not true, its misleading, meaningless hogwash, check Google Earth.

Karl was probably referring to total acreage including the forested areas. But even then it seems unbelievable.

We've been told for 2 decades that we need to increase the bed base and it has greatly expanded, doesn't anyone pay attention to all the building that goes on each summer, there are 10 new houses being built next to Karls old house, plus 20+ more on mountain, then numerous others just this summer, lets not forget The Timbers, Timberline, Winters way, Black Bear, west mtn village.

Every time I pop my drone up to shoot r/e, I'm amazed at how much r/e there is here. I feel like SL is close to the point that it could become a private club sustained by all the property owners.

Speaking of r/e, there is literally -nothing- for sale on mountain right now.

[Glade Monkey]

Speaking of r/e, there is literally -nothing- for sale on mountain right now.

Wow! - tried a search on ALL the SLRE listings and "No results found."
Guess they won't need your aerial services for this $750K pending one which is TBB slightly askew



https://sugarloafmountainside.com/5009-forest-lane/

[Tree]

It amazes me that we, the bastard child (Sugarloaf) of Boyne can rationalize that getting a used 25 year old chair is really a good thing while our siblings continue to get shiny new toys every year. Big Sky gets a 8 pack lift with chairs costing $37,000 each, and then another six pack, Boyne Michigan gets a 8 pack, Loon gets a 8 pack, Sunday river get an 8 pack. Sugarloaf gets a 25 year old lift. Better yet, we are rationalizing it and Boyne hasn't even announced it. Go Boyne!

[mapg33k]

It amazes me that we, the bastard child (Sugarloaf) of Boyne can rationalize that getting a used 25 year old chair is really a good thing while our siblings continue to get shiny new toys every year. Big Sky gets a 8 pack lift with chairs costing $37,000 each, and then another six pack, Boyne Michigan gets a 8 pack, Loon gets a 8 pack, Sunday river get an 8 pack. Sugarloaf gets a 25 year old lift. Better yet, we are rationalizing it and Boyne hasn't even announced it. Go Boyne!

What amazes me is Boyne Mtn @ 500 vertical feet is getting an 8 pack.

[WrathOfAramark]

What amazes me is Boyne Mtn @ 500 vertical feet is getting an 8 pack.

I feel like I've seen people slide further than that on their face down gondi line.

[gondicar]

What amazes me is Boyne Mtn @ 500 vertical feet is getting an 8 pack.

I feel like I've seen people slide further than that on their face down gondi line.

Although probably more skier visits than SL.

[Pow on the Mao]

i'll take the used lift. i'll take any lift. but our best feature is our face and we undervalue it significantly with such woeful access.

[myell]

i'll take the used lift. i'll take any lift. but our best feature is our face and we undervalue it significantly with such woeful access.

This is so true. The summit lift is the one that matters most, followed by updates/upgrades to existing major lifts. A new, state-of-the-art way to ride to the summit really would change everything. I'm still excited for the new west mt lift too. Having a decent, reliable, nothing-that-special quad accessing some nice new beginner/intermediate terrain with snowmaking will be good (the new green trail winding down from bullys to the west mt base should be the most approachable spot on the mt after double runner).

Better access to the summit/face is the real game changer.

[machski]

What amazes me is Boyne Mtn @ 500 vertical feet is getting an 8 pack.

I feel like I've seen people slide further than that on their face down gondi line.

Although probably more skier visits than SL.

^^^^^^^^THIS!!! Oh, and Boyne just spent millions to upgrade the airport right next to Boyne Mountain to accomodate business jets.

[machski]

I was just party to a Zoom meeting with Karl and West Mountain owners.

The new project according to Karl has the same acreage as Mt. Snow.

Remember, Boyne pioneered the use of repurposed lifts to save money at their resorts.

As Karl said, "It's great to have shiny new lifts, but you need to increase our bed base because we are so far from everywhere."

Who cares how it compares to Mount Snow and besides that its not true, its misleading, meaningless hogwash, check Google Earth.

Do you have examples of Boyne repurposing lifts.

We've been told for 2 decades that we need to increase the bed base and it has greatly expanded, doesn't anyone pay attention to all the building that goes on each summer, there are 10 new houses being built next to Karls old house, plus 20+ more on mountain, then numerous others just this summer, lets not forget The Timbers, Timberline, Winters way, Black Bear, west mtn village.

The first detach they rebuilt and repurposed with Dopp was the old Ramcharger Quad now the Shedhorn Express at Big Sky. The old Ramcharger was an even older model Dopp HSQ than Swifty and is almst like new in Shedhorn's alignment now. Next summer, the first refurbed repurposed HSQ will go in at Loon, their old Kanc Quad will replace the current Seven Brother's Triple. Then in 2023, two repurposed HSQ's look to go up in Maine now, the old Jordan to Barker HSQ at SR and the old Swifty to West at SL.

[wigman]

More skiing=more fun. I’ll take it. Maybe it will break spectacularly, make national news, and bingo new lift

[machski]

More skiing=more fun. I’ll take it. Maybe it will break spectacularly, make national news, and bingo new lift

I seriously doubt it with Doppelmyer involved. Any reinstalled detach lift they do will be good as new, especially all of the potential wear/fail components.

[k2trav]

More pieces arrived today

[JAC487]

I'm still holding out for a surprise lift install summer of 2022. Lots of moving pieces to pull it off but would be cool

[Alpiner]

I too am hopeful for this summer.

Apropos of nothing in particular, I would like to make an observation... it is January 1 and West Mountain Trail still does not have adequate coverage and the lift has not spun. I congratulate SL for getting King Pine open so early with very little natural snow, but many of the new properties that will be built around this new lift will depend 100% on it running for ski in/out access. And properties on WM that are currently ski in/out via the WM lift will depend on this new lift running and a way to ski to it, once WM is chopped off at mid-station. Or they will depend on West Mountain Crosscut being open to the base. There is no snowmaking (yet?) on West Mountain Crosscut.

[Ltaylor56]

I too am hopeful for this summer… but many of the new properties that will be built around this new lift will depend 100% on it running for ski in/out access. And properties on WM that are currently ski in/out via the WM lift will depend on this new lift running and a way to ski to it, once WM is chopped off at mid-station. Or they will depend on West Mountain Crosscut being open to the base. There is no snowmaking (yet?) on West Mountain Crosscut.

You just put your finger on the elephant in the room no one discusses. As discussed on other threads, Sugarloaf lacks enough water to make snow on the terrain it already has. A significant increase in skiable acreage will exacerbate the existing problem. Not sure how old you all are, but I remember when Snowbrook went in and Sugarloaf spent a couple winters prioritizing ski-in/ski-out access for its then-signature new development. Now, with WM slated to get the shiny new (sorta) lift and associated development, there will be pressure to blow snow there early to justify new buyers’ investments in the real estate. With water availability a zero-sum game, more snowmaking for WM new buyers = less snowmaking somewhere else.

[goldenboy80]

From the looks of Sugarloaf's Facebook account, it appears they are starting to gear up to open the West Mountain trail. With the snow coming on Friday, I hope to see a lot of lines drop to open trails. I want to hear some pow stories from Fri / Sat.

[auburnskier]

A few thoughts now that I live out in MT these days:

-Swiftcurrent lift was a long lift, about 8500ft per LiftBlog.
-It was increasingly mechanically unreliable in the last few years. I wouldn’t worry about that though as refurbs take care of those mechanical issues.
-If it’s a base to Bullwinkles quad lift, that’d be disappointing as a “signature lift.” Perhaps it’d replace Timberline? Or perhaps a better year round, event-space-making option would be to convert it to a chondola.
-Any lift infrastructure investment at SL is progress/ welcomed.

[Glade Monkey]

A few thoughts now that I live out in MT these days:

-Swiftcurrent lift was a long lift, about 8500ft per LiftBlog.
-It was increasingly mechanically unreliable in the last few years. I wouldn’t worry about that though as refurbs take care of those mechanical issues.
-If it’s a base to Bullwinkles quad lift, that’d be disappointing as a “signature lift.” Perhaps it’d replace Timberline? Or perhaps a better year round, event-space-making option would be to convert it to a chondola.
-Any lift infrastructure investment at SL is progress/ welcomed.

The old Swiftcurrent seems to be destined to become the new West Mountain Express (at least according to Liftblog on their 2023 install list)
Here's a map of the potential layout going straight up to Bullwinkles https://www.sugarloaf2030.com/west-mountain-expansion
They're also going to cut off the existing West Mountain chair at the mid station.
Might be newer/other maps or details in this thread - in between the hijacks & turns https://sugarloaftoday.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9265