How High-Speed (Detachable) Chairlifts And Gondolas Work

Matt Lorelli
·2 min read

Modern high-speed detachable chairlifts have changed the ski industry literally from the ground up.

The advent of faster-moving lifts with slower loading and unloading allows ski resorts to not only move more people up the mountain, but to do so at a faster rate than the fixed-grip lifts of yesteryear.

Most skiers have ridden a handful of high-speed lifts, but have you ever wondered how the lift's signature detachable grip works? Check out the excellent video below by 3D Living Studio to learn more about how these modern marvels work:

Hand up. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I didn't fully understand how a detachable lift works before watching that video.

You'd think the Trending News Editor of Powder freakin' Magazine would be a little more knowledgeable, but nope! I'm just fakin'-it-till-I-make-it over here.

With that said, you can bet your left ski that I'm going to bring up this little tidbit of information at every possible moment next season.

To all of my fellow skiers- be wary if you join me on the chairlift. You better be prepared for a full-blown lecture.

With great power comes great responsibility and now that I know how detachable chairlifts work, nothing can stop me!

Here's another random piece of info for you to bring up on your next chairlift or gondola ride- the first detachable chairlift was built by Doppelmayr in 1981 for Breckenridge, Colorado.

The Quicksilver SuperChair lasted for 9 years at Breck and then moved to Owl's Head Ski Area in Quebec. It was retired after 38 seasons in 2019.

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