The four towers of the new Buttercup quad chairlift were air transported into place Wednesday, bringing it one step closer to its ribbon cutting on November 24, the scheduled opening day for Mt. Hood Meadows. A Blackhawk helicopter air lifted the towers and their cross arms while a ground crew bolted the equipment onto the pre-poured cement pads. The airlift occurred later in the day due to strong morning winds, the clear skies of the morning gave way to drizzle and gray. The tower transport and placement took about 45 minutes to complete.
The upper terminal is already in place and the lower terminal with a ChairKit carpet loading conveyer are next to be installed. Cable will be run and the lift tested in time for the November 24 target opening.
The original Buttercup was installed for the 1979/80 season serving as the resort’s primary beginner lift and was removed after last ski season. The new Buttercup, a SkyTrac fixed grip quad, nearly doubles the uphill capacity and a realignment of the lift adds more than three acres of additional beginner terrain. The loading conveyer will make the lift easier to load, improving efficiency by reducing slow downs or stoppages due to misloads. The conveyer also has an automated height adjustment that can elevate guests up to four inches, making it easier for children to load.
