Sugarloaf Gondola
Nice article on this project in Maine Outdoor Journal :
http://maineoutdoorjournal.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=301532&a...
Opinions on whether this is going to happen seem split right down the middle...folks either think it's a slam dunk and others think it'll never happen. All I know is that if they do it, this baby better run in very high winds.
http://maineoutdoorjournal.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=301532&a...
Opinions on whether this is going to happen seem split right down the middle...folks either think it's a slam dunk and others think it'll never happen. All I know is that if they do it, this baby better run in very high winds.
Views: 27
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by KC on
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I hope it happens but would bet $$$$$$$ that nothing materializes. Cool article
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Permalink Reply by Wheeler on -
60MPH is high winds
My experience is that SR's #7 never runs in anything over a steady 40 (gusts 50-55 and its not running)
maybe after the summer adjustment it will be better but they were not running WOT on Saturday and I would guess wind gusts never got much over 40
The cost catches my eye
SR #7 cost over $7M last year
now a full gondi all the way up SL (at least 1.5x longer) that can run in up to 60 is $8M????
I guess the economy did crash
or SR just bought at the wrong time
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Permalink Reply by Ripsaw on -
60MPH is high winds
Not unusual at Sugarloaf. Gusts of even higher speeds occur several times a year. Of course, at some point you have to ask the question..."do you really want to be at the top of the mountain with winds blowing that hard?" I've snowshoed to the summit in conditions like that and I can tell you it is a VERY nasty environment.
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Permalink Reply by Wheeler on
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Ripsaw said:
."do you really want to be at the top of the mountain with winds blowing that hard?"
Most would answer is no
but if our average family spent a grand to bring everyone up there for a weekend you can bet your butt they'll b**** if the signature lift doesn't spin all weekend. I understand that's the chance you take but it doesn't take away the hurt.
I just question this idea that a single cable gondi (I dont think they get anything but that for $8M) can run in anywhere close to sustained 60. Sustained 40 seems more likely.
Does Timberline run if its sustained 40?
As I understand they are talking about adding a surcharge on the day ticket and season passes for access to the Gondi. If so, how many will pay the surcharge when the walk up to the ticket window and its on wind hold? Then who pays for the lift? Why hasnt Boyne seen the value in doing this? maybe they have and cant raise the capital?
- lots of questions
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Permalink Reply by B-McSki on -
This would be the best investment.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funitel
Can run in 100mph winds.
Ripsaw said:60MPH is high winds
Not unusual at Sugarloaf. Gusts of even higher speeds occur several times a year. Of course, at some point you have to ask the question..."do you really want to be at the top of the mountain with winds blowing that hard?" I've snowshoed to the summit in conditions like that and I can tell you it is a VERY nasty environment.
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Permalink Reply by Glade Monkey on -
This topic has been burning up the SL board for months. Then Seth's presentation put some gas on the fire.
It seems amazing (to me) that the town is actually considering paying for it. Here is a summary from their site:
http://www.carrabassettvalley.org/assets/Brief_Update_Nov.6th_09.doc
Three objectives need to be met to create a proposal that will be acceptable to all parties:
• The “Cost of Money” and/or economic incentive programs have to be favorable.
• Boyne/Sugarloaf has to be comfortable that they can afford the annual debt service payments and pay for the additional operating costs.
• The Town has to be comfortable that it has adequate financial security/guarantees in place.
==========================================
Last report from a town meeting was that the interest rate was higher than expected.
Also, the capacity is projected at only 1,200 people per hour. For comparison, their SQ is rated at 3K/hour and King Pine is 2,100/hr. West Mountain lift (seems like the slowest and longest in the state when you're on it) is also 1,200 per hour.
I also put up some old 8mm film, converted to DVD, then uploaded to YOUTUBE to show the youngsters what the old lift looked like while running.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2uNGIISdHU
Hit your MUTE button - the music was added by the company which put the films onto DVD.
Also - I am the youngest boy throwing rocks off the top......
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Those bullet points are unclear. It comes down to WHO is financing the project for SL. I thought CValley was financing the project (The TOWN has 15+ million laying around to toss into a potential black h***? I doubt it.). Let's clear that up first.
Bullet one: are you talking about interest rates? Cost of Money in the finance world (generally speaking) involves Interest Rates.
Bullet two: The Financing company needs to be proactive in the collectibility of the Debt. SL would be crazy to borrow if they weren't 110% sure they could pay it back.
Bullet three: The Town needs to verify it's financial security? That plays into the first statement... in this situation it seems that SL's financial security needs to be under the microscope. If CValley has +15mil to throw at SL, then it better perform the due dilligence on the collectibility.
1200 per hour? That's brutally slow. Base to Summit, 1200 people per hour? That sounds terrible.
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Permalink Reply by jerryg on -
I am one who hopes the gondola happens and think the mountain needs it. SL hasn't been the same without the Gondi, IMHO, but I grew up with it.
The projected cost likely takes into account a couple things; Doppelmayr's US installs are WAY down and I've heard that the SL price is a discount. Given the price of the much shorter and perhaps easier to install, chondola, it would have to be a discount. The second reason for the cheaper price and also one of the reasons for the low skiers per hour has to do with the projected spacing of gondola cars.
As for lift speed, I've heard the proposed lift would run at 1100 feet per minute in optimal conditions. The chondola runs at 1000 ...sometimes.
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Permalink Reply by jerryg on
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The Maine Sunday Telegram article was good except for the fact it twice references the gondola hanging outside Judson's, saying it is from SL. It is not. It Is highly likely to be from Sugarbush, possibly Wildcat.
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Permalink Reply by sitzmark on -
Think the issue is that CValley has a surplus of money (don't recall how much) and a long range projection of declining economic health for the region. The exercise is one of a slow death with cash in the bank, or "risk it" and see if investment in SL will bring more tourists (i.e. $$) into the picture for a brighter future. Timber and paper are out ... "rural Maine" is in a tough spot to replace jobs, tax base, etc. Not an easy decision. Whatever the direction, hope it pans out.
KCounty19 said:Those bullet points are unclear. It comes down to WHO is financing the project for SL. I thought CValley was financing the project (The TOWN has 15+ million laying around to toss into a potential black h***? I doubt it.). Let's clear that up first.
Bullet one: are you talking about interest rates? Cost of Money in the finance world (generally speaking) involves Interest Rates.
Bullet two: The Financing company needs to be proactive in the collectibility of the Debt. SL would be crazy to borrow if they weren't 110% sure they could pay it back.
Bullet three: The Town needs to verify it's financial security? That plays into the first statement... in this situation it seems that SL's financial security needs to be under the microscope. If CValley has +15mil to throw at SL, then it better perform the due dilligence on the collectibility.
1200 per hour? That's brutally slow. Base to Summit, 1200 people per hour? That sounds terrible.
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Permalink Reply by Glade Monkey on
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According to last year's town report, they only have $2.8 million on hand. That is equal to about one year of real estate taxes.
http://www.carrabassettvalley.org/assets/2009_Town_Report_for_Websi...
sitzmark said:Think the issue is that CValley has a surplus of money (don't recall how much) and a long range projection of declining economic health for the region. The exercise is one of a slow death with cash in the bank, or "risk it" and see if investment in SL will bring more tourists (i.e. $$) into the picture for a brighter future. Timber and paper are out ... "rural Maine" is in a tough spot to replace jobs, tax base, etc. Not an easy decision. Whatever the direction, hope it pans out.
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