Tram?!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by nathan d. on October 23, 2009 at 7:05pm

haha okay im guna just throw this out there. No one doesn't like "joeys" cept when they stick their noses where they don't belong. I can always deal with some gaps between goggles and helmet or skiing in jeans idc about anything like that. What i DONT like is when the inexperienced decide sideslipping down gondi or nitro is a good way to look cool. Remember there is a difference too between a joey and inexperienced skier. When learning new things i make sure i do not make the experience for other better skiers or riders less enjoyable. If that means staying on green runs all day so be it. any average skier can side slip down most sugarloaf trails. What must be remembered is that this is not what they should be doing.

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Permalink Reply by Chip on October 23, 2009 at 9:18pm

I have been a Sugaloafer most of my life I loved the old Gondi and would love to see another.! This is a "gold Metal" idea from Seth and would benefit as all. Please stop with self absorbed, selfish chatter about joeys and how you think you are the only one entitled to ski powder, get first tracks or have access to the summit. These attitudes are not what sugarloaf has stood for and not the attitudes that makes me proud to be a sugarloafer and proud of my fellow sugarloafers.
The mountain does not belong to any one of you.
You were all joeys at one time, You got to past being a Joey by sticking your nose where it did not belong, and maybe style or the perfect goggle fit is not what matters. I always thought it was loving the sport and having fun that was the important thing, but maybe some of you are above that !
the powder we get is a gift that all should share, the views and access to the summit is something we should all cherries and be willing to share with others that are not self proclaimed ski gods that some feel you are.
This is a great Idea that would bring Sugarloaf to its rightful place as a year round gem and destination.
Way to go Seth. You have my vote and support.

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Permalink Reply by SKIER iZ PrO on October 23, 2009 at 10:02pm

I think the word "joey" in skiing is like what "freshman" is in high school. No one really hates them its when they do something they shouldnt get into.

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Permalink Reply by J Sanford on October 23, 2009 at 10:58pm

Chip - Well said. +1

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Permalink Reply by somedevil3441 on October 26, 2009 at 10:36am

To be honest, although I do like the idea of having something from lodge-to-summit, I don't think that the current ski climate is the same as when the Loaf put in the original Gondi. Talk to 20 people at the ski shows, and the main reason that you'll hear people come to Sugarloaf is either A.) It's in the middle of nowhere, or B.) the weather.

I agree that the lift system needs some work, and it will cost money in increased lift ticket prices/season pass prices. I would recommend a high-capacity quad spanning the length of DRC and Spillway; this allows for people to spread out from Whiffletree, the SuperQuad, and then the new lift, giving people access to a majority of Sugarloaf's terrain in a hurry.

I'd also personally kill for a T-bar from the top of King Pine to the summit...but that'd spell the end of High Rigger.

What people should be lobbying for, which I know the logging industry has been begging to receive forever, would be an effective east-west route across the state. Highway infrastructure in Northern New England is efficient north-south, but there's nothing east-west till you hit Boston. Get a quality four-lane highway east-west, improving the way to the mountain...and you'll really see SL soar.

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Permalink Reply by Matt on October 26, 2009 at 4:27pm

A tbar from king pine up to the summit would be great. It would allow access of everything when timberline was down. Only thing is that there would have to be snowmaking put in for the t bar. You can't ski on rocks going up very easily...

somedevil3441 said:

To be honest, although I do like the idea of having something from lodge-to-summit, I don't think that the current ski climate is the same as when the Loaf put in the original Gondi. Talk to 20 people at the ski shows, and the main reason that you'll hear people come to Sugarloaf is either A.) It's in the middle of nowhere, or B.) the weather.

I agree that the lift system needs some work, and it will cost money in increased lift ticket prices/season pass prices. I would recommend a high-capacity quad spanning the length of DRC and Spillway; this allows for people to spread out from Whiffletree, the SuperQuad, and then the new lift, giving people access to a majority of Sugarloaf's terrain in a hurry.

I'd also personally kill for a T-bar from the top of King Pine to the summit...but that'd spell the end of High Rigger.

What people should be lobbying for, which I know the logging industry has been begging to receive forever, would be an effective east-west route across the state. Highway infrastructure in Northern New England is efficient north-south, but there's nothing east-west till you hit Boston. Get a quality four-lane highway east-west, improving the way to the mountain...and you'll really see SL soar.

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Permalink Reply by Tyler Stockford on October 27, 2009 at 9:44am

I say that they should put lifts or a gondola on the back side of he mountain and then the backside would get more use and you could have many more trails for Sugarloafers. It would be amazing if it there was a lift and trails on the backside. The backside doesn't get much activity but if the backside had a lift and actual trails then more people will be using it.

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Permalink Reply by skimush on October 27, 2009 at 10:29am

Southern Facing slopes do not hold snow at our latitude.

Tyler Stockford said:

I say that they should put lifts or a gondola on the back side of he mountain and then the backside would get more use and you could have many more trails for Sugarloafers. It would be amazing if it there was a lift and trails on the backside. The backside doesn't get much activity but if the backside had a lift and actual trails then more people will be using it.

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Permalink Reply by Matt on October 27, 2009 at 2:43pm

WE DON'T WANT MORE PEOPLE ON THE BACKSIDE!

Tyler Stockford said:

I say that they should put lifts or a gondola on the back side of he mountain and then the backside would get more use and you could have many more trails for Sugarloafers. It would be amazing if it there was a lift and trails on the backside. The backside doesn't get much activity but if the backside had a lift and actual trails then more people will be using it.

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Permalink Reply by coveman on October 27, 2009 at 10:25pm

To stimulate some discussion>
Certainly, a tram and Gondi would be good for the winter months and the mountain. I would not justify it by using it for the summer and fall months. Just consider the labor / etc. to operate it.
However, I would suggest that it should only go to the top of Spillway and have mountain top access by Timberline or another surface lift. How many time have you taken the T-bar and nearly been blown off the top of the mountain. No one in their right mind would or should be at the peak when conditions dictate closing of the top. The wind comes straight from Mount Washington.

Wouldn't you like to see the long range plans and commitment from CNL and Boyne? Why would the town commit to such an undertaken for an industry that is struggling anyway? Based on past history, SL is a difficult area to maintain as a year round resort. If one visits SL during the summer and early fall it is a ghost town except for homecoming. I cannot see that a Gondi or Tram will increase the revenue during this period of time by 30% or more? Sure CV has the mountains, golf course and the river... Where is the lake and etc. for people to enjoy? Flagstaff is drained down and not very friendly to boaters and it is north of the valley.
Sure there can be some mountain biking and maybe a zip line.
If it was me and I was Boyne, I would invest in Sunday River (zip line and all) and the other areas they own for summer activities. They are certainly easier to get to and have all that SL can offer during the summer and it is nearer the population centers. Individual from Canada have their options as well.
What was the history when the old Gondi was around? Did it run during the summer? Did the mountain summer revenue drop off when it was removed? If so how much?
There is no center to the town near the mountain. I would suggest that the town of CV needs to relocate all the town offices and other town services closer to the mountain. They would need to make it more of a community surrounding the facilities on the mountain. More stores and shops winter and summer. If your wife was a golf widow what is she going to do at Sugarloaf while you are enjoying your golf?
Just trying to be realistic.

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Permalink Reply by skimush on October 28, 2009 at 7:28am

The wind comes straight from Mount Washington.

No it doesn't. The prevailing winds are generally from the Northwest.

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Permalink Reply by Kyle on October 28, 2009 at 7:42am

Wind is certainly a consideration. However, in the past 40 years, technology has greatly improved wind resistance in lifts and gondolas alike. Gondolas are very heavy, which aid in tolerance to higher winds. Long lines were simply because the lift was slow and they couldn't have very many gondis on the line simultaneously. And the capacity of the old gondi is half of what it would likely be if redone today.

Keep in mind that when it's extremely windy, the conditions at the summit are not friendly anyway, and during the mid-winter months can be very unsafe.

I couldn't agree with Seth more. We need something dramatic and this would do it. Even if it doesn't run more than 60% of the time, it would still attract the same crowds.

Allison said:

Did every one forget about the wind? Also, when the gondi did run, there were long lines at both the bottom and the mid station.
I would settle for a rope tow from the top of spillway short side to the very top. It could run in the wind and other adverse conditions, and because it is an inconvenience to ride a rope tow, only the true adventurers would head for the very top.

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