The first true ski chairlift was built in 1936 by James Curran. However in Colorado, the Gunnison Ski Club installed the states first ski lift at Pioneer Ski Area. Before the chairlift there was a lot of hiking and the occasional T-bar involved. Since its invention, it has improved in a multitude of ways including size, speed, and being covered from the elements. They have become a staple of every resort as they continue to upgrade and find new ways to improve them.
Table of Contents
Types of Chairlift
Rope Tow
The ski rope tow was one of the first ski lifts ever invented, and it was developed in the 1930s as a way to transport skiers up the mountain more efficiently. The first ski rope tow was built in Vermont in 1934, and it used an old Model T Ford engine to power the rope.
Today, ski rope tows are often used on beginner slopes or at smaller ski resorts, as they are a simple and efficient way to transport skiers and snowboarders up the mountain. Despite its age, the ski rope tow is still a popular and widely used ski lift, and it is likely to remain an important part of the ski industry for many years to come.
T-Bar
The T-bar is a type of ground lift that is used to transport skiers and snowboarders up a mountain. It consists of a long, T-shaped bar that is attached to a cable, which is suspended from a series of towers. Skiers and boarders hold onto the bar and are pulled up the mountain as the bar moves along the cable.
The first ski T-bar was built in the 1930s in the United States. It was designed as a more efficient way to transport skiers up the mountain, and it quickly became popular at ski resorts around the country.
Over the years, ski T-bars have undergone several improvements and innovations. Some T-bars are now equipped with poles that skiers can hold onto for added stability, and some have seats that allow skiers to sit down while being transported up the mountain.
In 1942 the US Army built what was then the world’s longest T-bar at Camp Hale to train the ski troopers. This camp was later renamed Ski Cooper.
Chairlift
The first ski chairlift was built in 1936 at Sun Valley, Idaho. It was designed by James Curran, an engineer from the Union Pacific Railroad, and was the first chairlift of its kind in the United States.
The chairlift was a major advancement in the ski industry, as it allowed skiers to easily and efficiently get to the top of the mountain. Chairlifts became increasingly popular in the decades that followed, and by the 1950s, they were a common sight at ski resorts around the world.
Over the years, chairlifts have undergone several improvements and innovations. One of the most notable advancements was the development of the high-speed lifts, which can transport skiers up the mountain at faster speeds. Today, chairlifts are an essential part of the ski industry, and they continue to be an important way for skiers and snowboarders to access the slopes.
The Imperial Express Superchair is a high-speed quad chairlift in Breckenridge and is the highest chairlift in North America, reaching an elevation of 12,408 feet above sea level. The chairlift provides access to some of the highest and most challenging terrain at the resort. It is a popular destination for advanced skiers and snowboarders looking to tackle steep, powdery runs.
Gondola
A ski gondola is a more modern type of aerial lift that transports skiers and snowboarders up and down a mountain in a enclosed cabin suspended from a cable.
The first gondola was built in the 1960s in Italy and was designed to be a faster and more efficient way to transport skiers up the mountain, and it quickly became popular at ski resorts around the world.
Vail is credited as having the first gondola in Colorado. It opened in December 15, 1962 just months before Crested
Butte open theirs.
Some gondolas are now equipped with heated cabins, personal speakers, and comfortable seating. Gondolas are also frequently used for sightseeing and other non-skiing activities, such as hiking or mountain biking.
Magic Carpet
The good ole magic carpet is a type of conveyor lift that is used to transport skiers and snowboarders up a gentle slope, such as a beginner’s area or a terrain park. It consists of a continuous, moving belt that is embedded in the snow and sometimes covered by a canopy. Skiers stand on the belt and are carried up the slope as the belt moves.
The first magic carpet was built in the 1980s in the United States. It was designed as a safer and more efficient way to transport people just learning to ski or ride.
Today, ski magic carpets are a common sight at ski resorts particularly the bunny hill or learning area though you typically wont ride one again after you become more comfortable on the slopes.
Timeline of Major Ski & Chairlift Events in Colorado
1932 – North America’s first ski tow rope was installed in Canada.
1936 – Colorado’s got their first tow rope, installed at Glen Cove.
1937 – Berthoud Pass Ski Area installed a 878 foot long tow rope.
1939 – Gunnison Ski Club installs the state’s first chairlift at the Pioneer Ski Area. Made mostly from old mining tram parts at the Pioneer Ski Area.
1940 – Winter Park opens with their J-bar.
1942 – Red Mountain Ski Area opened with a wooden-tower single chair. The towers were later replaced with steel.
1942 – The US Army built what was called the world’s longest T-bar at Camp Hale. This area was later turned into Ski Cooper.
1946 – Aspen was opened with a single chair lift and were credited with “the longest chairlift in the world.”
1949 – Breckenridge installs a tow rope downtown, across from the current ski area.
1961 – Vail opens with 2 double chairs and a gondola. They are credited as having the first gondola in the state, beating Crested Butte by only just a few months.
1976 – An accident on Vail’s Lionshead gondola leaves a handful of people dead when wind dislodges a cabin from the haul rope.
1981 – Breckenridge installs the world’s first high-speed quad chair at the base of peak 9.
1986 – The Teller lift at Keystone fails when a faulty weld breaks. It was later
replaced by a 6 person high-speed chair.
1986 – Aspen’s current six-passenger gondola was installed on Ajax Mountain.
1991 – Keystone opens the Outback Bowl, installing 3 new ski lifts that summer. These lifts include: Wayback Quad, Outback Express, and the Outpost Gondola.
1996 – Vail removed the old six-passenger Bell gondola from Lionshead and replaced it with a 12 person high-speed gondola.
1998 – Loveland Ski Area built “the world’s highest quad chair” to the top of The Ridge.
1998 – Copper Mountain installed the state’s first six person chair called The Super Bee.
1999 – Vail planned to install the first lifts in Blue Sky Basin, increasing the skiable acres by one-third.
1999 – Arsonists set fire to chairs 3, 4, 5, and 14 at Vail to protest the construction of Blue Sky Basin.
2005 – Breckenridge installs the highest lift in North America. It’s a high-speed quad reaching 12,840 feet.
2007 – Winter Park installs the “world’s highest six-passenger lift,” which replaces the Timberline double chair.
2016 – A chair at Granby Ranch hits a support tower causing a family to fall resulting in one death. 2022 – A chair lift falls from the Peak 8 SuperConnect at Breckenridge in high wind, dropping one rider as they approached the summit. The skier was able to ski away unharmed.
Modern Chairlift Safety Features
Emergency stop: All modern chairlifts are equipped with an emergency stop button that can be activated by the lift operator in the event of an emergency. This will bring the lift to a stop. This is a common occurrence when a new skier doesn’t quite make it onto the chair, typically there are moving again within a minute.
Safety bars: All new chairlifts have safety bars or restraining devices that can be lowered to keep skiers securely in their seats. These are especially important on high-speed lifts. Just let everyone know the bar is coming down first.
Backup generators: Chairlifts often have backup generators to ensure that they can continue operating in the event of a power outage.
Automatic loading: Some chairlifts have automated loading and unloading systems that help to ensure that skiers are seated properly before the lift starts moving.
Wind-stabilization systems: Some chairlifts are equipped with wind-stabilization systems that help to keep the lift stable in high winds. High winds have been known to dislodge chairs from the haul rope.
Overall, chairlifts are a great way for people of all abilities to enjoy the mountain, and they are an important part of the ski industry. What was once a chore to get some runs in is now something that can be lapped over and over again. It has allowed resorts to service significantly more people and as a result has opened up skiing and snowboarding to a much wider audience.
Who Makes Chairlifts for Ski Resorts?
There are a handful of companies that design and manufacture chairlifts for ski resorts. Some of the most well-known chairlift manufacturers are:
- Doppelmayr: A leading manufacturer of chairlifts, gondolas, and other ski lift systems, and it has a reputation for producing high-quality and reliable products.
- POMA: A French company that specializes in the design and manufacture of ski lift systems, including chairlifts, gondolas, and funiculars.
- Leitner Ropeways: Manufactures and distributes products and equipment for ropeways, snow groomers, urban transportation systems
- Leitner-Poma: Major manufacturer of chairlifts and ski lift systems, and it has a long history in the ski industry. Poma and Leitner remain independent, but formed a strategic partnership which includes the combined purchase of materials and the formation of Leitner-Poma as a joint venture in North America.
These are just a few examples, and there are many other companies that manufacture chairlifts and other ski lift systems as well.
If you wanted to learn the economics of a ski resort, check out our post.