Look: Saw Slashes Through 7 Mile Long Steel Cable At Tahoe Ski Resort

Matt Lorelli
·2 min read
29

Palisades Tahoe, Lake Tahoe's largest ski resort, is undergoing a major maintenance project on one of the resort's most important lifts.

Watch as crews slash through the solid steel cable of the Gold Coast Funitel as they prepare to install a new cable:

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A post shared by Palisades Tahoe (@palisadestahoe)

Caption: "Goodbye, old Funitel haul rope! The old rope has officially been cut down and it is being spooled up for recycling. We are now pulling the NEW haul rope through the Funitel. The new rope is nearly 12,000 meters long. That’s more than 7 miles! Be sure to check out our Operations Blog for the full project details, including more photos and videos."

That was oddly satisfying to watch, no?

Jet fuel might not be able to melt steel beams, but this saw can clearly cut through a solid steel haul rope.

According to an operations blog posted by Palisades Tahoe, this is the first time the haul rope has been replaced for the Gold Coast Funitel since it was installed in 1998.

It's a serious project that will be on-going throughout the summer.

Gold Coast Funitel soaring above the Base to Base Gondola launch party on December 17, 2022. Notice the two haul ropes overhead. Matt Lorelli/Powder Magazine
Gold Coast Funitel soaring above the Base to Base Gondola launch party on December 17, 2022. Notice the two haul ropes overhead. Matt Lorelli/Powder Magazine

You might be wondering, what the h*ll is a Funitel anyways?!?! Good question, friend.

Funitels are similar to a gondola in design. Skiers and riders board a closed-in cabin to ascend the mountain. The major difference is the haul rope itself.

Unlike a gondola, a Funitel uses two haul ropes. This adds stability, and allows the lift to run in stronger winds. Pretty neat, right?

The Gold Coast Funitel is the only funitel in North America. Meaning, you have to either travel to Palisades Tahoe or Europe to ride one.

Palisades Tahoe will offer weekend skiing and riding at Alpine Meadows through July 4th. The Olympic Valley side of the resort will remain closed as crews work on the Gold Coast Funitel.

Gold Coast Funitel on Palisades Tahoe's Trail Map
Gold Coast Funitel on Palisades Tahoe's Trail Map

Gold Coast Funitel Stats/Info:

Resort: Palisades Tahoe

Year Opened: 1998

Cabins: 28 people

Vertical: 1,742 ft.

Length: 9,078 ft.

Time: 8:30 minutes

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