This page will be updated as we learn more information about repairs and reopening.
Updated Feb 15, 2021 3:40 PM
We have great news! After a long weekend of repairs, we are pleased to report Ptarmigan Chairlift has been cleared for service and will reopen Wednesday, February 17!
Staff has re-installed chairs, replaced sheave wheels, realigned tower #8, performed nondestructive testing (NDT) to the clip assemblies, cleaned and closely inspected all affected sections of the haul rope. All of our tests and measurements fell well within industry standards.
We want to extend a huge thanks to Lift Maintenance Manager, Todd Brugger, the entire Mountain Operations team, and Ski Patrol for all coming together to help get the repairs completed in a timely manner.
Let the snow fall! We are ready!
Updated Feb 14, 2021 4:40 PM
Lots of progress today! Tower #8 is realigned, sheave wheels are replaced, and the dislodged chair was removed. We fired up the lift and now have the haul rope section where the chairs were dislodged back in the Ptarmigan loading terminal.
Now that this section is at the base terminal, we can begin performing detailed inspections and installing new chair clips. We will know a lot more in the next few days as analysis continues. We will continue to work with state regulators, insurance representatives, and Knight Equipment Company, the industry leader in wire rope solutions.
Again, huge thanks to Eaglecrest’s Lift Maintenance team for putting in some seriously hard work to get us to this point.
Updated Feb 13, 2021 2:40 PM
This afternoon Lift Maintenance staff successfully got the haul rope back on the tower sheave wheels. It took quite an effort. Please be sure to thank Todd, Riley, and Tim when you see them!
Tomorrow morning we begin realigning the tower assembly. Once that is complete, we will run the chairlift to get the damaged section of haul rope returned to the Ptarmigan loading terminal for further inspection.
Thank you for your support, patience, and understanding as we work to get Ptarmigan back in operation.
Updated Feb 12, 2021 3:15 PM
Ptarmigan Chairlift is closed indefinitely after sustaining damage from an extraordinary weather event. Black Bear, Hooter, & Porcupine Chairlifts will continue to operate as scheduled, and all terrain will remain open.
Early Thursday morning prior to opening, for a short period around 2:45 AM, Eaglecrest’s summit recorded strong northeast winds gusting from 54 to 72 miles per hour. This caused two chairs to flip over the haul rope on Ptarmigan Chairlift near Tower #8, located on the Insane trail, about a third of the way up the mountain.
When morning lift opening procedures were started, these chairs had their clips on the wrong side of the line and were dragged through the support assembly before the chairlift stopped. One chair pulled out of the haul rope and fell to the ground and another became partially dislodged. The haul rope slipped off the sheaves, which are the guide wheels on each tower. No one was on the chairlift or injured.
This isn’t going to be an easy fix, and it will require professional outside assistance to inspect the haul rope. There are many unknowns at this point. We will keep everyone informed as we know more information.
