----- Original Message -----
From: "Salts, Peter" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 1999 8:49 AM
Subject: Re: [SKIVT-L] Lift Bars (was Green Mountain Flyer at Jay Peak)


> Dana writes:
>
> >The classic was the failure of the clutch > etc.
> I would think that there would be enough opposing force (or weight) on the
> other side of the lift to prevent a large scale reversal of direction of
the
> cable.  However, I'm sure that if the upside part had many passengers it
may
> start sliding back as you described.
>
>
        An empty chair doesn't weigh as much as one with two to four people
in it.  I can imagine that if it was a real busy day with long lift lines
that it would start screamin' in reverse with no way to slow it down.
        Yesterday they fired up the fastest gondola in North America at
Whiteface and gave governor P. the first ride.  On TV I saw skis in the
holders but I guarantee you he didn't ski down. On Monday the official soft
drink sponsor of the Olympic Regional Development Authority, Coke, did the
honors for the load test on the gondola by depositing 40,000 lbs. of cola in
the cabins and letting Whiteface do some "dry" run testing.  They also
obviously let it come back down the mountain which gave them testing on a
fully loaded situation coming downhill and the resulting stress and effect
on the drivetrain etc.  So I wonder who will be the actual first skier to
ride up the lift.  It doesn't look like it will be this weekend.  They say
it is the most sophisticated computerized ski lift in operation that
requires no manual adjustment under any circumstances.  It has wind sensors
that slow down and speed up the lift accordingly.
        Here's a little note of humor on where two people's minds are at in
a conversation.  On Sunday I took my daughter to Whiteface just to pick up
her first season pass.  Outside I ran into my good friend the assistant
manager who was observing the final stages of loading the cabins on the
cable.  I must say it is a pretty impressive sight as it breaks over the
shoulder of little Whiteface on a lower angle than the chair going up from
midstation and consequently climbs through the gorge, or "gut" as it is so
often referred as, way below the chair before it they meet at the summit.
It must be an awesome view from the rear facing seats as the panorama of
Canada and Vermont start to open up with the climb.  Anyway, Bruce says,"
boy, isn't it beautiful"? (He was looking at the lift)  I replied," not bad,
I've seen a lot better though".  (I was looking at the pathetic condition of
the snow.)  His jaw dropped about two feet and he said, "oh yeah, where"?
My daughter roared with laughter.
        Let's all keep our shirts on, our chairlift bars down and pray for
snow.  I would rather be skiing than dreaming about it.      Jim

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