Northern Rockies/Alberta Big Sky Ramcharger 8 Opens 12/14

[Coach13]

I keep imagining the pile of snowboarders this thing would create on the unloading area at my local resorts.

 

[Philpug]

I was very sceptical of this lift...until I rode and I loved it...other than the loading part...IMHO this is better than a gondola because you can have (up to) 8 on it, in comfort and warmth and you don't have to take you skis (or board) off. It is a win on many levels. I will deal with actually having to hold my poles in my hand verses sitting on them. I do think a 6 would be the ideal compromise and it will be a lot more efficient with loading. Big Sky needs to work on some sort of loading procedures for the lift line, there were too many chairs going up with multiple empty seats simply because of poor...errr no line management.

 

[dbostedo]

I was very sceptical of this lift...until I rode and I loved it...other than the loading part...IMHO this is better than a gondola because you can have (up to) 8 on it, in comfort and warmth and you don't have to take you skis (or board) off. It is a win on many levels. I will deal with actually having to hold my poles in my hand verses sitting on them. I do think a 6 would be the ideal compromise and it will be a lot more efficient with loading. Big Sky needs to work on some sort of loading procedures for the lift line, there were too many chairs going up with multiple empty seats simply because of poor...errr no line management.

Powder Seeker is pretty much the same but in a 6 pack configuration. I think it had the same issue, but it's just a little simpler for folks to figure out as they shuffle forward. And they don't check your tickets there. IMO that is the real issue - it holds some folks up and not others so things get extra disorganized. They need a better way to check tickets. RFID would help maybe.

 

[Philpug]

X XXXX XXXX X corrals would be ideal.

 

[BS Slarver]

Since the gathering and a gate breaking they are down to loading six, I’m fairly certain there aren’t any spare parts sitting on the shelf.

As a past ski area manager, getting lifties to engage with the public has always been a difficult task given the personalities, pay scale and lifestyles that are led in mountain towns.

The g public is also trying to grasp the concept as well. The chair before us yesterday had a family, when the father got on the belt he immediately went to a wedge and spun out backwards - good thing there were only 4 as he occupied the other 4 spaces all by himself.

It’s not rocket surgery ! Given time I think both public and staff will figure it out ....... sure hope so anyway.

 

[milkman]

Powder Seeker is pretty much the same but in a 6 pack configuration. I think it had the same issue, but it's just a little simpler for folks to figure out as they shuffle forward. And they don't check your tickets there. IMO that is the real issue - it holds some folks up and not others so things get extra disorganized. They need a better way to check tickets. RFID would help maybe.

RFID will help.. BS tried fancy scanners years ago. Bleeding Edge? Once burned twice shy? We'll get REFID soon but not quite soon enough.
Both the Powderseeker 6 and the Ramcharger 8 were thought to be massive overkill by most locals but now the public loves them. Evidently "If you build it they will come" works for ski lifts and ballparks.

 

[BS Slarver]

^^^ this..... and if you make it affordable with an IKON / M collective pass they will come in masses.
Hoping BS 2025 plans are on track with the explorer change over to a Gondi, swiftly could use less traffic

 

[Philpug]

^^^ this..... and if you make it affordable with an IKON / M collective pass they will come in masses.
Hoping BS 2025 plans are on track with the explorer change over to a Gondi, swiftly could use less traffic

I was surprised that the lines were consistently longer at Swifty than Ramcharger all week.

 

[BS Slarver]

Yeah, that seam to be the typical traffic pattern at the base area. Swifty, IMO and obviously that of other skiers gives access to more of the vast choices BS has to offer.

Swiftly to P Seeker, Tram, challenger, headwaters, lone tree S Shooter and many more acres to the right side.
RC8 gives you southern Comfort, thunder wolf and lone moose. It also gives access to Sheady and Dakota via the woods and cow flats but that’s also covered by the tram.

Again, lift ops are the weak link at both base lifts. Lift attendants need to be vocal, perhaps a wee bit animated !
Never have I seen a lift op offer a hand to a fallen or struggling skier or boarder, perhaps it’s mountain policy, afraid or a worker comp injury claim ?
Both lift houses seam to have one hand on stop button at all times, perhaps a good old fashion W. Miller ski pile up at the top and keep them spinning.

 

[skidrew]

Yeah, that seam to be the typical traffic pattern at the base area. Swifty, IMO and obviously that of other skiers gives access to more of the vast choices BS has to offer.

Swiftly to P Seeker, Tram, challenger, headwaters, lone tree S Shooter and many more acres to the right side.
RC8 gives you southern Comfort, thunder wolf and lone moose. It also gives access to Sheady and Dakota via the woods and cow flats but that’s also covered by the tram.

Again, lift ops are the weak link at both base lifts. Lift attendants need to be vocal, perhaps a wee bit animated !
Never have I seen a lift op offer a hand to a fallen or struggling skier or boarder, perhaps it’s mountain policy, afraid or a worker comp injury claim ?
Both lift houses seam to have one hand on stop button at all times, perhaps a good old fashion W. Miller ski pile up at the top and keep them spinning.

How do you get from Ramcharger to Shedhorn?!? (Absent a big hike or catching a YC lift or two)

 

[SShore]

Since the gathering and a gate breaking they are down to loading six, I’m fairly certain there aren’t any spare parts sitting on the shelf.

There still are no spares but they have "fixed" the gate. Black duct tape and a board. At least you can load all seats now.

 

[SShore]

How do you get from Ramcharger to Shedhorn?!? (Absent a big hike or catching a YC lift or two)

Ski down to the base and ride Swifty. The only way to get to Shedhorn, Dakota, Powderseeker, the Tram, Challenger and the Madison base lift system from the base is Swifty. That is why they really need a second lift from the base to the bowl.

 

[jimmy]

I think the lifty that ran the line at Swifty (Swifty Lifty?) ran a pretty tight ship. I am sold on the Ramcharger 8. Better than a gondola, great footrests, tushy heaters what is not to like. I'll admit getting my poles caught by the safety bare, more than once but it usualy takes a lot of reps for me to get things right. I had concerns about unloading 8 people at the same time but it worked just fine. This chair is easier to unload than the Southern Comfort and the Jumbotron screen at the base is amazing. RFID Please.

 

[Andy Mink]

I had concerns about unloading 8 people at the same time but it worked just fine.

I think part of the easy off-load was you can only go straight or to the left. Fewer options=fewer messes. Plus there is a lot of room at the top so people weren't jamming up.

 

[BS Slarver]

Apologies for the early morning brain fart on RC8 taking you to Shedhorn and Dakota - yes poaching would be needed ..... carry on !

 

[Talisman]

There still are no spares but they have "fixed" the gate. Black duct tape and a board. At least you can load all seats now.

That gorilla tape "repair" took a week to get the lift back to 8 people? Two hose clamps and a piece of bamboo or wood should have been in place the day it broke.

The replacement part is likely awaiting a Swiss festival to get the plastic part fabricated.

 

[mdf]

Ski down to the base and ride Swifty. The only way to get to Shedhorn, Dakota, Powderseeker, the Tram, Challenger and the Madison base lift system from the base is Swifty. That is why they really need a second lift from the base to the bowl.

Explorer gets you up there too

 

[SShore]

Explorer gets you up there too

You can get to Challenger (and if you can ski the Challenger black runs terrain the Madison lifts, and the double black runs Powderseeker and the Tram) and the base lifts from Explorer but not Dakota and Shedhorn. For the General Skiing public Swifty is the only option.

 

[ejj]

I think anyone who has skied there a bit will realize that Swifty holds the keys to the kingdom.

 

[Talisman]

I think anyone who has skied there a bit will realize that Swifty holds the keys to the kingdom.

Truth! Woe betide you should be skiing at Big Sky when Swifty and Sixshooter both are down.