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View Full Version : Soft Start on Friday Afternoon for Pass Holders????



Hawk
11-19-2014, 07:34 AM
People have been talking about opening up for the pass holders for Friday afternoon. Pass holders that is and not the mountain. Killington does this and I think it would be a great gesture for the pass holders and mountain people who will have to work. Any news on this from the management? Come on guys lets get this thing started!

ReefBum
11-19-2014, 08:22 AM
As of yesterday afternoon I heard no go for pass holders only on Friday. Maybe this will change....


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ducky
11-19-2014, 02:08 PM
Not happening this year.

Hawk
11-19-2014, 02:17 PM
Do you know what the issue is Ducky? From all accounts there will be plenty of snow by Friday. Just curious what you heard.

Not happening this year.

slaw
11-19-2014, 02:30 PM
Friday open only for "early ups" pass holders.

arc1
11-19-2014, 02:35 PM
Friday open only for "early ups" pass holders.

Jesus H. Christ - don't get me started with the early ups thing again. What crap.

gostan
11-19-2014, 03:25 PM
Friday open only for "early ups" pass holders.. All 6 of them??

Hawk
11-19-2014, 04:17 PM
. All 6 of them??

Yup plus the Claybrook people and the other people that get special permission. Whatever!

I am more concerned that they are only blowing the run out from HG down to the lift right now. Looks like only one trail at a time again. And there seems to be issues with HG. I am sure they will figure it out. They had better.

Benski
11-19-2014, 04:57 PM
As of november 10th they were considering a passholder day on friday but I have not heard anything since.

The snow report for today suggest bravo might be the only chair open.

ducky
11-19-2014, 04:59 PM
Was told they are saving the snow to have better conditions for Sat.

Hawk
11-20-2014, 07:37 AM
No sign of snowmaking on the web cam this morning. Looks like they shut off the guns down low. Can anybody see snowmaking up the hill?

shadyjay
11-20-2014, 08:21 AM
We shut the base area off around 5am. Guns still going from Domino Chute, down Lower OG, to top of Gondolier when I left work at 8am.

Dblshot
11-20-2014, 08:53 AM
Trying to get LOG open in the next 48 hours before temps go. I have a feeling it doesn't look good for HG opening this weekend. Uh oh.

bumpcrasher
11-20-2014, 10:06 AM
So, I must ask.....is Heaven's Gate broken?? Will it be running this weekend?

Hawk
11-20-2014, 11:18 AM
I have no real confirmed info on HG only that they announced the opening of Bravo and said that they are waiting on confirmation of other lifts. There is only one other lift they can run so I am just curious what is up.

sglatham
11-20-2014, 11:44 AM
WTF if HG can't run.

ReefBum
11-20-2014, 12:07 PM
Friday open only for "early ups" pass holders.

That rumor is not true.

HowieT2
11-20-2014, 01:28 PM
WTF if HG can't run.

aren't we jumping the gun a bit speculating that there is anything wrong with HG.

bumpcrasher
11-20-2014, 01:51 PM
aren't we jumping the gun a bit speculating that there is anything wrong with HG.


Agreed!! As Hawk pointed out, the "other lift confirmations coming soon" is a bit suspicious based upon HG's prior malfunctions and that Upper Grinder appears not to be opening. Would just be good to know whether HG is going to run this coming weekend.

Dblshot
11-20-2014, 01:58 PM
Probably going to be windy.

bumpcrasher
11-20-2014, 02:25 PM
Well, our question just got answered on the Snow Report and Stoke Exchange.....NO Heaven's Gate on Saturday.
I wonder if it was mechanical as they made plenty of snow on Upper Jester. Anyone in the know??

gostan
11-20-2014, 02:39 PM
Somewhat of a soft start for Saturday. I know a lot of folks will be disappointed, but I am OK to just be starting this year At all. I just hope that the reason for no HG is not a lift issue and that it is just a snow issue.

Benski
11-20-2014, 02:42 PM
Well, our question just got answered on the Snow Report and Stoke Exchange.....NO Heaven's Gate on Saturday.
I wonder if it was mechanical as they made plenty of snow on Upper Jester. Anyone in the know??

According to the stoke exchange 6 trails going to be open. They specify lower grinder domino chute downspout lower downspout and coffee run. The last section of lower jester must be the 6th no upper mountain.


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Hawk
11-20-2014, 02:44 PM
The diesel back up is shot so they can't run the lift safely. I'm headed to Killington. Not good.

bumpcrasher
11-20-2014, 02:55 PM
The diesel back up is shot so they can't run the lift safely. I'm headed to Killington. Not good.

Not a good start at all!! I will see you there Hawk.

Dblshot
11-20-2014, 03:00 PM
They cannot buy a break. I'm going to assume it just crapped out and give them the benefit of the doubt. Regardless, not a good start.

teleo
11-20-2014, 03:02 PM
I've been hesitant to jump to conclusions, but the conditions update seems to confirm the worst fears. IF HG is mechanical, that is an epic failure given the history. Let's all chant "we want heavens gate" or "we want working lifts" in the lift line at opening.
Or head to K like Hawk.

arc1
11-20-2014, 03:11 PM
They cannot buy a break. I'm going to assume it just crapped out and give them the benefit of the doubt. Regardless, not a good start.

Actually, they could buy a break.

WWF-VT
11-20-2014, 03:30 PM
facebook update : Heaven’s Gate area isn't quite ready for opening but we aim to have it ready by Thanksgiving weekend

Boxtop Willie
11-20-2014, 03:31 PM
And it's a $73 lift ticket. Seriously?

HowieT2
11-20-2014, 03:34 PM
The diesel back up is shot so they can't run the lift safely. I'm headed to Killington. Not good.

seriously? that is ridiculous.

HowieT2
11-20-2014, 03:37 PM
facebook update : Heaven’s Gate area isn't quite ready for opening but we aim to have it ready by Thanksgiving weekend

wtf does that mean?
can someone please explain to me, if true that diesel backup is the problem why the couldnt just get another???

The Poacher
11-20-2014, 04:13 PM
I have been a long time Poacher to this site, and my family (3 generations) have spent the past 30 years driving from just west of Philly to the Mad River valley every week between Xmas and new years. We contemplated a new venue this year due to the constant lift issues last season; however, we stayed because we love the mountain, the valley and the beers too much. But I got to tell you, I am sick of these lift issues. As people who rent a house and dont care at all about a slopeside village, we would love to see newer lifts and not newer luxury condos. I am hoping they get this figured out quickly and it turns into a one-time random thing. I think they got a new lift mechanic this year, i think it was the guy from Big Sky. Hopefully he proves worthy. This may be incorrect, but I think last Xmas week when HG went down, they tried using a part or pulley from Summit quad on North and it wasn't until they took it over to HG when they noticed they were different shaft sizes. On the bright side, its been cold and we even have had snow in Philly already.

Chewbarka
11-20-2014, 04:13 PM
Can we change the name of this thread from Soft Start on Friday... to Limp Start on Friday... Double entendre intended!

angler
11-20-2014, 04:18 PM
Can we change the name of this thread from Soft Start on Friday... to Limp Start on Friday... Double entendre intended!

Maybe you should pick up some Viagra on the way to the mountain.

Hawk
11-20-2014, 04:46 PM
wtf does that mean?
can someone please explain to me, if true that diesel backup is the problem why the couldnt just get another???

A diesel powered backup engine is definitely something that you can't just run out and buy. Not sure of the details as I only got a quick text about the info. I also heard that Win and Hammond are both out of town so I am sure the people in charge can't just make snap decisions.

Benski
11-20-2014, 04:46 PM
I have confirmed that for some reason heavens gate is not ready.

Benski
11-20-2014, 04:50 PM
Did they make snow on lower organ grinder?

Dblshot
11-20-2014, 05:16 PM
Facebook:

Win here. We have been waiting for a part for the auxiliary motor. It will arrive late tomorrow and installed asap. But the we have to get a final load test inspection by Vermont Tram authority. That should happen in a couple of days. Jester had good snow and ready to ski. Because this we shifted snowmaking to get lower organgrinder open for Saturday. I think you will have a fun opening day.

random_ski_guy
11-20-2014, 05:28 PM
So does that mean there are two ways down, downspout and domino chute/lower grinder? Seems to be the case, but from I have seen they aren't clear about it. $73 is steep for one or two runs.

southvillager
11-20-2014, 05:47 PM
Facebook:

Win here. We have been waiting for a part for the auxiliary motor. It will arrive late tomorrow and installed asap. But the we have to get a final load test inspection by Vermont Tram authority. That should happen in a couple of days. Jester had good snow and ready to ski. Because this we shifted snowmaking to get lower organgrinder open for Saturday. I think you will have a fun opening day.


Sounds exactly like last year: "oh my...a part broke...a new one is on its way...have fun!"

sgottmann
11-20-2014, 06:55 PM
Hitler will be pissed again this year. Hopefully, this is just a one time hiccup.

Tin Woodsman
11-20-2014, 07:05 PM
Well that really sucks. I don't know how you let it get this late in the season w/o having the aux motor on site already. they knew what the capital plan was in the Spring and they knew when opening day would be. WTF?!!!

That said, getting two ways down open on the lower mtn was more than I expected. Not sure they would have been able to cover the Domino Chute>OG route in such a short period of time in previous years. Will be interesting to see how fast they can move to Upper OG and then I guess Jester once HG spins and temps come back.

angler
11-20-2014, 09:21 PM
In some cases the more things change the more they stay the same.

jwt
11-21-2014, 06:17 AM
In some cases the more things change the more they stay the same.



Anyone read the piece in Barrons this week regarding Vail's CEO? I completely forgot about the Epic Pass - now $789 for 10 resorts including ParkCity/Canyons ( soon to be connected via lifts) Heavenly/Kirkwood/Breck and everything else they own.

big capital investments - a public company of course - but how do you compete with that? Stay exclusive in the best little valley in the East I guess - just gotta have working ( read: reliable) lifts.

Still 8 days at any of their resorts pays for the pass even if you're a holiday visitor.

HowieT2
11-21-2014, 07:40 AM
Well that really sucks. I don't know how you let it get this late in the season w/o having the aux motor on site already. they knew what the capital plan was in the Spring and they knew when opening day would be. WTF?!!!

That said, getting two ways down open on the lower mtn was more than I expected. Not sure they would have been able to cover the Domino Chute>OG route in such a short period of time in previous years. Will be interesting to see how fast they can move to Upper OG and then I guess Jester once HG spins and temps come back.

+1. Not going to let this bring me down. Psyched to drive up this afternoon.

Hawk
11-21-2014, 08:01 AM
We have a spot in the car tomorrow morning Howie. I think we are going to meet up with Ben and Jenny. Waiting on confirmation. Plan is to ski K tomorrow and ski Sugarbush on Sunday for a while.

ThinkSno
11-21-2014, 08:13 AM
Facebook:

Win here. We have been waiting for a part for the auxiliary motor. It will arrive late tomorrow and installed asap. But the we have to get a final load test inspection by Vermont Tram authority. That should happen in a couple of days. Jester had good snow and ready to ski. Because this we shifted snowmaking to get lower organgrinder open for Saturday. I think you will have a fun opening day.

Hey Win how long have you been waiting for the auxiliary motor part?

Anyone remember this thread I started over the summer-->

Off-season Improvements Discussion
Just wondering if there are any updates on the promised lift upgrades?
I was reminded of this, seeing the 2014 mountain biking season is underway via the Sugarbush webcam, and remembering these words from Win:

They have identified slightly more than $1 million of mechanical and electrical upgrades to the following lifts: Super Bravo Express Quad, Gate House Express Quad, Heaven's Gate Triple, North Lynx Triple, North Ridge Express Quad, Summit Quad, and Sunshine Double. I have approved all of them. These upgrades should give us the reliability that we all expect.

Hawk
11-21-2014, 08:36 AM
Back on topic. They are skiing!!! Look at the web cam. Doah.

Hawk
11-21-2014, 08:41 AM
Hint. Since the HG lift is not working how about you guys lets us pass holders ski this afternoon when we get up there? Just a suggestion. See you then with my skis on this afternoon.

Dblshot
11-21-2014, 10:03 AM
Looking at webcam and radar there is a nice little upslope event going on now. Opening this afternoon would be a nice gesture but not gonna happen. Fingers crossed for Bravo working tomorrow....yes adding fuel to the fire....

HowieT2
11-21-2014, 10:22 AM
We have a spot in the car tomorrow morning Howie. I think we are going to meet up with Ben and Jenny. Waiting on confirmation. Plan is to ski K tomorrow and ski Sugarbush on Sunday for a while.

Thanks but if I go down to K it will be sunday on the way home. Wifey broke her foot this week so she is on the DL for a month anyway. and I just saw those clowns this week.

HowieT2
11-21-2014, 10:25 AM
Looking at webcam and radar there is a nice little upslope event going on now. Opening this afternoon would be a nice gesture but not gonna happen. Fingers crossed for Bravo working tomorrow....yes adding fuel to the fire....

its puking snow. see the lift spinning but no passengers. might have to effort it up to the top tomorrow.

MntMan4Bush
11-21-2014, 01:47 PM
Hey let's give them a break here on HG. I mean it's not like they knew there was going to a winter season this year. I mean how often is there a Winter directly following Summer and Fall? Look it it up people. Not often. In fact I don't even have it marked on my Outlook Calender with a reminder so it ain't happening yet. I think I've got it marked for sometime in June or something this year, but the whole day light savings thing may have messed up my calendar. Or maybe the upgrade to iOS8 on my iPhone. Bottom line is you can't trust Apple. That's the real problem here.

I mean think about it. If they knew there was going to be a winter this year and that it was going to come up on us so unexpected then surely they wouldn't have waited to the last minute to get the lifts inspected. Especially given the debacle that was last season and all the bad press and consumer outrage related to it. No. If they knew they would have at least planned the inspection to happen much sooner to allow for any fixes or changes to be implemented in time for the season to start.

It's clearly not their fault. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go wait a good 15 more minutes for a line to form up before I start making this lift ramp.

It's good to be back baby!!!!!!!!!!!

shadyjay
11-21-2014, 02:14 PM
Lower OG is one of the trails that received the new guns. Considering it ran for about 24-36 hours, it's in pretty good shape. Of course the cold temps this week have also helped. Upper OG is all set up and so is Ripcord and Snowball/Fling. When temps return after early next week's warmup, I'm sure we may resurface/touch up existing, then move on to those trails.