Meadows Blog

12 Comments

1. Dave G

   October 7, 2011

   Alright - now I'm stoked! Is the resort open to the public at this time? If someone wanted to drive up this weekend to check out the progress, is it possible to get "up-close?"
   
   Also, how is progress coming on the wetlands restoration?
   
   Meadows: We are equally as stoked! We're not encouraging visitation at this time - the construction may very well continue on the weekend. Between the lift construction and the wetlands restoration the base area is pretty much a construction zone. If you do come up please be very aware of what's going on, and understand if the construction crew or security asks for some space. The restoration is proceeding nicely - removing the fill dirt from the Yellow meadows and Blue chairlifts. It will take several years before the areas convert back to wetlands, but it's a great first step!

2. Colin

   October 7, 2011

   Wow! That's pretty cool. Ummmm....the bottom of the lift is like inside the lodge! How are you thinking of managing the traffic around the lodge and the lift lines this year?
   
   C
   
   Meadows: Great question! The Stadium Express will load the same way Vista loads - you board on the downhill side, the chair travels slowly around the horseshoe track, and then once on the uphill side accelerates to high speed. So the cuing for the lift will line up towards Stadium, not the lodge. That way we have the benefit of close-in convenience with the best use of space for loading.

3. Buster

   October 8, 2011

   Hi Dave. Can you describe the logistics in getting all these chair lift pieces up to Meadows? Where was the chair manufactured and trucked from? Looks like quite a project
   
   Meadows: The chair was fabricated and partially assembled at the Leitner-Poma plant in Grand Junction, Colorado. Once they assemble it there, (to make sure it really fits) they disassemble and ship the different components by truck. The towers and terminal footings arrived together. The upper terminal housing, bullwheel arrived about a month ago. The lower terminal components arrived last week. You can see in the video that the motor and bullwheel was preassembled on one platform, which was dropped into the bottom terminal. It's not quite "plug and play" but the assembly work performed in Grand Junction makes for a more efficient installation here.

4. Brian

   October 8, 2011

   Interesting that you went with a non-height adjustable base station. So was it more cost effective or not really needed? Or both? Is chair swing near the top of the ridge going to be a major concern? Always seemed like the wind near the top of yellow was pretty wild during storms.
   
   Meadows: There is a significant expense to have the height adjustable base station. There's enough room to push snow from around the base of the lift when necessary. The quad chairs are more massive and so should be less susceptible to chair sway than the lighter fixed grip quads. Thanks for the questions!

5. Stephen

   October 9, 2011

   Roughly how much did it cost to put up this new lift?
   
   Meadows: We don't disclose specific financial information. But it is a considerable investment, which we believe will significantly improve the overall guest experience at Meadows.

6. Drake Pearson

   October 9, 2011

   I LOVE MEADOWS!!!!!! Im so happy about the new lift! Thank you so much!!!
   
   Meadows: You are welcome. Can't wait for the season to begin.

7. steve

   October 10, 2011

   Great job!
   keep the footage rolling :-).
   
   Meadows: Next up - the snowcats are arrving!

8. don

   October 10, 2011

   Any news on the forecast for this winter?
   
   Meadows: A La Nina is forecast - which normally brings a wetter, colder winter to the northwest. Stoked!

9. WhiteRoom

   October 10, 2011

   Stadium Express!! Can you at least change the website chairlift list......pretty close to official if you ask me. When is the anticipated load test? More massive is mo' betta
   
   Ever consider moving Yellow..?? I got a new name for it - THE Marmot Double. Bottom at the Mazot, Top at the entry to Marmot ridge. Saaaaaaaweat!! Elevator to Middle Heather.......
   
   Have you done any slope improvements....tree thinning (please say yes), lights, reliability...etc...is the Master Plan available anywhere?
   
   Can't wait for the snow to fall - gettn hard to compete with the other 2 slope alternative...tough choices...
   
   Hope to visit soon - again great job on STX - Stadium Express.........you knew it was just a matter of time.
   
   La Nina is gettn me stoked!!
   
   Meadows: We're stoked as well. We'll update the trail map on the website shortly. Interesting concept for your lift location - we will most likely be repurposing the Stadium Express - that is selling it to another ski area to use. We have our normal summer trail maintenance. No new lights but we have plans in the future. Much of the maintenance we perform each season is directed at reliability, as well as the acquisition of new equipment. Each day we are getting closer to the opening!

10. Pete

    October 11, 2011

    When will we get to see the updated ski map with Stadium Express? I've been really eager to see it! When will you post the next video about Stadium Express's construction? I've been hoping you'd upload another one. By the way, how are the racers going to get from the top of Stadium Express to the Stadium run when Stadium Express's top terminal is now relocated so that it is way farther away from the Stadium run than the old lift?
    
    Meadows: Our trail map has been sent to the printers and we're working on a poster as well. We'll update the imagery on our web site soon. We'll probably have another Stadium Express update towards the end of this month when we load test. Meanwhile, check out our Facebook page to win a ride on first chair on opening day. Racers should be able to skate with ease to the top of Stadium from the top of the new lift. We'll be moving snow and grooming to assist with the transition. Thanks for the post!

11. Richard

    October 13, 2011

    Can't watch the video with Apple Safari 5.1 - what gives?
    
    Meadows: Not sure. I'm watching it on Safari 5.0.6 and it plays fine. Here's the link off of YouTube: http://youtu.be/UfJkcWDLtEk

12. Lori R

    October 17, 2011

    Stoked! Can't wait to ride the new lift. Keep sending updates-I love reading about your progress. Great job on the wetlands restoration, too! :)
    
    Meadows: Thanks - we'll have some updates on our new "Experience Center" the rental equipment center "innovation" shortly!