Crystal Mountain to build aerial tramway

[Admin]

Scoop time!

http://www.firsttracksonline.com/news/s ... 17757.shtm

 

[option_ride]

jigback tram

Anyone care to explain "Jigback?" :?:

 

[Admin]

Anyone care to explain "Jigback?" :?:

In your neck of the woods, think "Sandia Peak". It's a tram where one cabin counterbalances the other by having one ascend as the other descends via a combination of haul cable(s) and track cable(s). Think also "Snowbird," "Jackson Hole," "Cannon Mountain," "Jay Peak," "Big Sky," "Squaw Valley," ...

 

[lookn4powder]

The base terminal will be adjacent to Crystal's grocery store, with the top terminal located near the summit of the Rainier Express. It will have only two intermediate towers; one on Exterminator, and the other near Iceberg Ridge. Simultaneous construction of a new summit restaurant is also being considered as part of the approved master plan.

My reaction is: "Is this the best expenditure of $6M for developing Crystal?" Yes, it's a good deal because the management was able to negotiate a $12M list down to it's original $6M, but I would have throught they might develop the area above and below the Niagaras first. Or finish the lodge that has an abandoned foundation near the top of the Forest Queen Express lift. (What happened to that project?) Or even expand the bed inventory at the base.

We skied at Crystal during a warm spell in March 2003. The area was busy on Saturday and pretty empty the rest of the week. Perhaps we hit a period when business was thin. Even so, dumping more skiers/hour near the summit of the Rainier Express seems likely to crowd the bowls excessively.

Jeff

 

[Admin]

Or finish the lodge that has an abandoned foundation near the top of the Forest Queen Express lift. (What happened to that project?)

It was finished over the summer.

And just to keep things straight, that wasn't a press release, but rather an original news item created by consulting multiple sources.

 

[lookn4powder]

And just to keep things straight, that wasn't a press release, but rather an original news item created by consulting multiple sources.

After some wrangling over boundary closure issues with the adjoining Mount Ranier National Park, the final approval of the ten- to fifteen-year plan including re-opening of the boundary line was granted one month later.

Marc,

Good work on the scoop!

What was the issue of over the boundry line? Will this allow backcountry skiers use a lift to access the boundry line rather than a mandated unassisted climb? Even so, isn't most of the Rainier Park closed during winter/spring, so skiers will need to hike back to the boundry?

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[Admin]

What was the issue of over the boundry line?

From what I understand, when the Forest Service first issued its Record of Decision approving the master plan it required that the boundary between Crystal and the National Park be closed. Ultimately, however, the Forest Service relented on this point.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I'm inclined to agree with look'n4powder. Jackson Hole needs to hire Crystal's negotiator.

 

[ChrisC]

My reaction is: "Is this the best expenditure of $6M for developing Crystal?" Yes, it's a good deal because the management was able to negotiate a $12M list down to it's original $6M, but I would have throught they might develop the area above and below the Niagaras first. Or finish the lodge that has an abandoned foundation near the top of the Forest Queen Express lift. (What happened to that project?) Or even expand the bed inventory at the base.

I think the tram was done for some of the following reasons:
1.) Rainier tourism. Crystal is relatively close to Seattle that some could be happy just riding the tram to see it up close.
2.) Mountain biking. Easier/faster with a one ride tram.
3.) Early season skiing. Snow can accumulates a lot better in Green Valley than other sections of the mountain. Avoids uploading/downloading on Rainier & Chinook Express. (This would have come in handy last year).
4.) Late season skiing. In big snow years, Crystal has reopened the mountain for summer skiing (I skied in late July 1999 and June 2000). Again, the best skiing is Green Valley and Snorting Elk areas -- and the tram gets you there better.

You're right -- the Rainier/Green Valley summit does not need any more traffic -- at least on its groomers. They are a little steep for intermediates and skied off quickly. But trams don't have too much capacity hence the constant lines at most of'em. About 1000 skiers/hr -- the same as a double chair? It's not going to cause mass gridlock.

I'm inclined to agree with look'n4powder. Jackson Hole needs to hire Crystal's negotiator.

I don't know where the 'cost' is in a tram -- but when Crystal can do a NEW 2 tower/2600 vert tram for $6m -- and Jackson said estimates for a REPLACEMENT 3 tower(or 4?)/4000 vert tram is $20m. Hmmm.