Killington's Impending Infrastructure Collapse

[snoloco]

They're having some serious issues with the Skyeship Gondola, which is now over 20 years old and showing its age.

On Saturday it was constantly stopping and starting, possibly due to wind, but no other lifts were doing that, including the K1, which is exposed to heavier winds. I skied down to the lodge for a break from the cold and was worried that it was going to break down while and leave me stranded.

Today I was going to start there, but upon arriving at the base area, there were no cabins on the line. They got the second stage working by 10:30. The first stage never opened. They attempted to put the cabins on, but the lift stopped and wouldn't start, so they never finished. They probably overrode a bunch of faults to get it started near the end of the day to get the cabins back off. Yes, I know, all lifts were having problems today, but stage 2 and the K1 were open, which were exposed to more wind and lower temperatures. If stage 2 can open, stage 1 should be able to, no question.

I also got stuck down there a couple years back and had to take the shuttle bus to get out.

My take is that Powdr doesn't really care if that lift works properly and kicks the can down the road with maintenance. They view Skyeship as an overflow lot for when K1, Snowshed, and Ramshead fill up and could care less if Skyeship opens on time. I have an 06-07 trail map that shows all the services available at each lodge, and they've definitely cut them at Skyeship. I ski Killington more often in the spring so it's not open, but the majority of the times I've tried to start at that base, the lift is messed up. Has anyone else noticed if that lift is down a lot? The cabins look like $hit on the inside as well. I'm thinking it needs a treatment similar to what the gondola at Stowe got a year ago. However, I wouldn't be surprised if Powdr continues to use Killington as a cash cow for investment at Copper and lets that lift go until it completely dies and needs a full replacement (which isn't cost effective).

[GSKI]

My guess based on your post is you have no clue and are FOS. Throwing BS and somehow hope it sticks.

[steamboat1]

My guess based on your post is you have no clue and are FOS. Throwing BS and somehow hope it sticks.

Agree, lifts been reliable for me. No need for weekday services at Skyebase, nobody's there. Cabins are fine, has this guy rode the refurbished gondola at Stowe? Not much of a difference from the old. As you said not a clue.

[snoloco]

I did ride the refurbished gondola at Stowe. I had not ridden the old though.

Maybe I just always get unlucky, but I've had plenty of issues trying to start down there and it's because of the lift breaking.

They cut services down there on weekends too. Remember when they would open it 30 minutes later than all the other lifts a few years ago? It's an overflow lot that they send people to when K1 Snowshed and Ramshead fill up. In their mind, that's the only purpose that lift and lodge serve. It's a shame because I like to arrive early and it's my favorite base area. Closest parking to the lift and longest run at the end of the day.

[Guy in Shorts]

Weighted in with Mike S on the fact that both Gondolas need to be refurbished when we shared a ride on the K1 last year. Expressed my opinion that I considered this even more important than replacing the Slowdon Quad. If you want a chance for your voice to heard you can express it here and they may read it but I find that face to face or direct e-mail to be more effective. On any issue that I consider paramount Mike, Jeff or Rob will hear my opinion first hand. They are the local decision makers.

[daytripper]

I did ride the refurbished gondola at Stowe. I had not ridden the old though.

Maybe I just always get unlucky, but I've had plenty of issues trying to start down there and it's because of the lift breaking.

They cut services down there on weekends too. Remember when they would open it 30 minutes later than all the other lifts a few years ago? It's an overflow lot that they send people to when K1 Snowshed and Ramshead fill up. In their mind, that's the only purpose that lift and lodge serve. It's a shame because I like to arrive early and it's my favorite base area. Closest parking to the lift and longest run at the end of the day.

Never heard of them sending people to rt 4 when k1 and ramshead fill up. they send them to vale and when that fills they park them on the access rd. The only time I ever remember them sending people to rt 4 for overflow was for the BMMC or when they had the dew tour and other things at bear but never because the upper mt lots were full.

[skiadikt]

I did ride the refurbished gondola at Stowe. I had not ridden the old though.

Maybe I just always get unlucky, but I've had plenty of issues trying to start down there and it's because of the lift breaking.

They cut services down there on weekends too. Remember when they would open it 30 minutes later than all the other lifts a few years ago? It's an overflow lot that they send people to when K1 Snowshed and Ramshead fill up. In their mind, that's the only purpose that lift and lodge serve. It's a shame because I like to arrive early and it's my favorite base area. Closest parking to the lift and longest run at the end of the day.

Never heard of them sending people to rt 4 when k1 and ramshead fill up. they send them to vale and when that fills they park them on the access rd. The only time I ever remember them sending people to rt 4 for overflow was for the BMMC or when they had the dew tour and other things at bear but never because the upper mt lots were full.

it's essentially an entry portal for those coming from the east. similar to bear for those who prefer easier parking than kbl and don't mind not being in the center of things.

[brownman]

Don't ascend from Rt 4 very often, but when I do ...

I reflect on how nice the Skyeship is compared to the original 'longest lift in North America' ...
Only wish they had done a full replacement including the upper meadow traverse

[snoloco]

I always arrive from the west, but it's still qucker to go down there than to go up to K1. I hate parking at Snowshed/Ramshead because they're the most crowded lodges, so that's never an option. You also get out quicker at the end of the day because there's no traffic jam on the access road.

Skyeship ran fine today. Only did a couple random stops. Snowdon Quad was running well with very few slows and stops. The 2.75 and Poma were both a bit of a sh*t show.

[GSKI]

I always arrive from the west, but it's still qucker to go down there than to go up to K1. I hate parking at Snowshed/Ramshead because they're the most crowded lodges, so that's never an option. You also get out quicker at the end of the day because there's no traffic jam on the access road.

You can always take a right on East Mountain Road to avoid the access road traffic jam still it does take longer than the rt 4 gondola entrance.

[E O Eleven]

[madhatter]

48 people rescued from stranded tram cars on Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway

http://www.wmur.com/news/41-people-stra ... y/37992900" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[snoloco]

I heard that two patrollers had to be roped out of the K1 on Sunday. Luckily there were no customers on it.

[E O Eleven]

[brownman]

don't folks usually just burn rope up there...