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Now that a new lift will be a reality, will it run every day?

While advocating for the restoration of this important link in K's lift and terrain layout, I was often emphatically told that, should a new lift be built, it would only run on weekends. The reason given for this was that the old one only ran on weekends. An argument I always found fairly weak.

The old summit lodge was also open only on weekends.

There is no doubt in my mind that the new lift will not only run on weekends. I am also willing to put my beer money where my mouth is, and will wager a pack of "Sip of Sunshine" against anyone still absolutely sure this lift will only run two days a week.

My belief is also admittedly self serving, as I am a weekday pass holder.

That view reminds me how much less the ride time should be, since the old crooked uphill line will be no more. Going straight up the old return line should make that ride a bit more bearable especially on bitter cold or windy days, and make lapping that area more worthwhile. Still hoping to see another cut trail and some more thinning of woods when this does become a reality. Will it become known as the South Ridge Pod (SRP)?

da Pimp wrote:That view reminds me how much less the ride time should be, since the old crooked uphill line will be no more. Going straight up the old return line should make that ride a bit more bearable especially on bitter cold or windy days, and make lapping that area more worthwhile. Still hoping to see another cut trail and some more thinning of woods when this does become a reality. Will it become known as the South Ridge Pod (SRP)?

It will be tracked out like it used to be - down to rock by 11 after a dump.

I'm kind of bummed they are replacing it.....It's been great over there for late day dump runs.

Jug to Breakaway is just enough of a trail to be a lot of fun on a power day. Kind of a "hidden" stash.

Breakaway is in the middle of the picture. Nice pic a rare view.

da Pimp wrote:That view reminds me how much less the ride time should be, since the old crooked uphill line will be no more. Going straight up the old return line should make that ride a bit more bearable especially on bitter cold or windy days, and make lapping that area more worthwhile.

Interesting question.

The old SRT is listed as 4,381 feet long, and I took that as the 2 legged length. Also I estimated the base terminal angle to be 20 degrees.

That works out to being 260 feet shorter for the straight run, about a 6% shorter ride.

Just in looking at the photo - imagine starting at the same time, and getting up to and making the two turns on the old uphill line versus going straight up the return line. You would be almost be up to the south ridge flats while still making the chair turns on the uphill line. Then you had to traverse a lot of flat terrain just to catch up to the return line. And I am pretty sure that the uphill route maintained a slight angle all the way to the top, unlike the return line which was a straight shot down the hill. So not only did the first uphill part take you off at an angle for a good amount of footage, it also made you track to the top with a slight angle, resulting in a slightly longer distance. I estimate the return line route would be 2.5-3 minutes less. We'll see how they set up the new line. Another year to go.

What .. an operating South Ridge lift and a Weekday Pass ..

Of coarse it will run midweek, Christmas midweek and Feb. vacation midweek! Enjoy the fresh mulch

Nice part of the return line is that it is more protected due to heavy tall trees and the slope near the top. No more howling winds while traveling along upper Pipe Dream.

Bingo Dr. No. I told Alan Wilson & Rich MCGuirie 15 years ago to use the return line up to top of Southriidge to protect skiers riding the lift from the severe wind by being lower and protected by the dense evergreen trees.

Spyderman wrote:Bingo Dr. No. I told Alan Wilson & Rich MCGuirie 15 years ago to use the return line up to top of Southriidge to protect skiers riding the lift from the severe wind by being lower and protected by the dense evergreen trees.

That would be Rich McGarry.