One of the biggest lift projects for the Northeast this offseason is the replacement of the White Peaks Express Quad with a high-speed six-pack bubble chairlift at Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire. In their latest lift construction blog post, they detailed the big steps they made last week to get the new White Peak Express ready for next season.
The process involved CHI Aviation picking up the lifts in parking lots seven and eight and carrying them towards the mountain. The ground crews, which were led by Waterville Valley staff and MND Group, which made the lift, helped the helicopter crew drop off the towers at the structural foundations. Once the towers were bolted down, the ground crew climbed up the tower to prepare for the helicopter crew to drop off another section of the tower, a sheave train, and a cross-arm. The final lift tower will be installed with a crane rather than the helicopter method that was used.
The new bubble lift replaces the White Peak Express Quad, which experienced frequent downtime due to wind issues throughout its history. The new lift was produced by the MND Group, and the chairs are being made by Porsche Design Studios. The bubble lift will have a capacity of 3200 riders per hour, a length of 5700 feet, a vertical drop of 1585 feet, and a ride time of six minutes. Some of the benefits of the new lift include a larger uphill capacity, shorter wait times during peak periods, a faster ride, less downtime, it will give riders a more comfortable ride, and protect guests from the cold and wind.
Image/Video Credits: Waterville Valley Resort
