New Lift for 2010-2011

This summer, Bridger Bowl will replace the current Bridger and Deer Park lifts with one triple chair lift. Here are some of the reasons we have chosen this option:

1. This is the most important lift on the mountain. Without reliable access, we can not do the avalanche hazard reduction work required to open the upper mountain lifts and terrain.
2. The Bronco, Sluice Box and Avalanche Gulch terrain is significantly interrupted with the Deer Park switchback road which would be eliminated along with the Deer Park Lift. The elimination of the road and lift would enable skiers to ski from the top of Bridger down to the South Bowl without crossing a road and open significantly more uninterrupted fall line skiing around Sluice Box without the top terminal, unloading area and towers.
3. The Riblet chair lifts are not made anymore and replacement parts are becoming obsolete with used parts very difficult to find.
4. The Bridger and Deer Park lifts have light 80 lb. chairs that swing in the wind and we're more prone to being shut down with strong southwinds. A new triple chair would weigh about 250 lbs and can run in higher cross winds, minimizing lift closure times (days) significantly.
5. A triple chair will provide the maximum recommended capacity (1,500/hr) for the new Bridger 2 unloading area due to steep terrain.
6. This triple chair provides nearly the same uphill vertical transport feet (2.1 million VTFH) compared to the current Bridger and Deer Park double chairs (2.37 million VTFH) combined. With the anticipated wider dispersion of skiers within this terrain pod, return time to the base of the lift will likely be increased, negating any VTFH difference.

New for 2009-10 - Maximizing uphill capacity with Loading Carpets

Our plan this year is to maximize the current uphill capacity on two of our existing chair lifts that are often slowed down and/or stopped when loading small children and beginner skiers. Although only a few ski areas in North America have these, they are very popular in Europe and have been reviewed very positively. Alta has successfully installed one at their resort in Utah. The two lifts that are primarily effected are our Powder Park and Pierre's Knob chair lifts. The uphill capacity of these lifts on weekends and holidays runs about 70% of maximum. Constant slows and stops helping boost children and aiding overwhelmed beginners results in slower rides up the mountain. To address this issue, we will be installing loading carpets on these lifts. ALL skiers and riders need to be prepared to experience something new. There will be several changes to the loading process. First, there will be access gates on these two lifts. Skiers and riders will need to be in position at the gate and enter when they open. After sliding forward out of the gate, you will just need to stand there as the carpet moves you into position and the chair will come in slightly faster than you will be moving for you to sit down and ride away. View the loading carpet video above to see how this works.

Note for parents of small children: The Powder Park loading carpet will have an additional feature that will allow the lift attendant to raise the platform at the push of a button for small children to make the chair height clearance. This will no longer necessitate a boost from the lift attendant nor the parent.