^Thunder Quad location
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort just announced that their legendary Thunder lift will be replaced this summer. The lift was originally installed in 1994, and will be upgraded to a brand new detachable quad from Leitner-Poma.
Most notably, the new Thunder lift will run nearly twice as fast as the original. The lift will only take 3.6 minutes to travel the entire 1,466′ of vertical.
Nate Berenson published an awesome blog documenting the history of the original Thunder lift, and the new one to come.
Check it out here, or read below.
By: Nate Berenson, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort:
Thunder.
One lift has the power to conjure countless memories unique to every individual fortunate enough to ascend Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Perhaps it’s a ride from winter’s past, braving blinding snow descending down from precipitous clouds; a stunning bluebird day, aloft of glistening, untouched powder; a warm spring afternoon complete with slushy turns, hoots, hollers, and abundant smiles. Whatever you think of when you think about Thunder, savor it. This lift has the power to propel people into their wildest dreams.
Thunder is being replaced this summer in favor of a newer, swifter lift capable of carrying more guests uphill. Thunder was installed 28 years ago in 1994. During that timeframe, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s notoriety across the ski industry grew, helped in part by this magnificent lift. This central hub of our mountain is a top priority for locals and guests alike each time they set skis or board on snow, and for good reason: the terrain accessed from this workhorse is some of the best around. Classics like Tower 3, the Grand, Laramie Bowl, Thunder Bumps, and Tram Line, to Riverton Bowl, Gannett, Mushroom Chutes, Paintbrush, and Toilet Bowl; the list goes on. When conditions align in the Tetons, Thunder’s terrain is the perfect complement for a blower powder day.
Let’s get technical for a moment; Thunder currently runs 102 chairs up through 12 towers, ascending 1,466′ in just over 7 minutes. At a speed of 2.54 meters per second, propelled by a 500 horsepower motor, Thunder lifts 1,400 skiers and riders towards the upper mountain each hour.
We will bid farewell to the original Thunder lift beginning in May and replace it with a new high-speed quad made by Colorado-based lift manufacturer Leitner-Poma. Construction and installation of the new Thunder lift is expected to begin shortly after May. The speed of the new lift is 1,000 feet per minute, twice the velocity of the original Thunder, and will cut riders’ lift time down from just over 7 minutes to 3.6 minutes. The new lift will have a contour load, similar to the Teton lift, as well as a contour unload. Installation and load testing of the new Thunder lift is expected to be finished in October.
Stay tuned in the coming months for more details on this project!
Images Credit: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
