In what is being described as a game changer for Marmot Basin, the Alberta ski area is replacing the Knob Chair.
The old double chairlift is being replaced with a new fixed-grip quad chairlift. Equipped with a loading conveyor, the chairlift will have a ride time of under eight minutes, carry 1200 people per hour, and have a speed of around 2.3 meters per second/5.15 miles per hour. The base terminal will be situated at 2,125 meters (6971.79 feet), and the top station will be situated at 2,518 meters (8,261 feet), with a total length of 1,087 meters (3566 feet).
With a bottom and top terminal that’s a little bit further uphill, it will make access to Marmot Peak and The Cirque, which is the ski area’s newest terrain pod, easier. You’ll still need to hike to the Peak Run and Suzie’s, which means the powder will still last a long time.
This project has been under thorough planning since 2008. With the ski area being in a national park, a thorough environmental analysis is needed for a new chairlift to happen. According to Marmot, here’s what they needed to do before getting through the regulatory approval from Parks Canada:
- Caribou Study
- Goat Study
- Rare Plant Study
- Roosting Bat Survey
- Migratory Bird Survey
As for the old chairs, they’ll be selling them off soon. If you’re interested in buying one, send your contact information to info@skimarmot.com.
In recent updates from Marmot Basin, they’ve shown that construction has begun.
With this announcement, Marmot Basin also introduced its new trail map, which is pictured below. The new chairlift is expected to open during the 2023-24 season.
Image/Video Credits: Marmot Basin
