For the first time since 2006, our mountain operations team will be installing a brand new chairlift here on the mountain. Powder Monkey, a fixed-grip triple installed in 1977 as one of Snowshoe’s original lifts, will be replaced with a fixed-grip quad ahead of the 2023/24 winter season. The new lift from Leiter-Poma & Skytrac will increase uphill capacity, ease congestion in the Basin area, and improve access to the Western Territory.
Lift Replacement Progress Updates:
Keep checking back in with this blog post to see the latest updates.
September 11, 2023 – Most of the lift work happens underground, like pouring concrete footings for each tower, and this work has been completed. A day for tower installment via helicopter is being determined and will take about 2-3 hours to install all of the new towers.
September 6, 2023– Upper lift terminal concrete has been poured. This is where the lift shack will sit. Tower installation with a helicopter will happen late next week or early the following week.
August 15, 2023 – Crossarm structures that attach to the top of lift towers are being assembled. Next week, crews will begin digging the footer for the top terminal, then forming and pouring concrete.
July 24, 2023 – The loading conveyor vault at the bottom terminal has been poured. Tower footers on Choker will be poured this week.
July 6, 2023 – Footer for Tower #2 has been poured. The crew will continue their way up the mountain to pour remaining tower footers.
May 25, 2023 – Forms have been built for the footers of lift towers. Staging is in progress for installation.
May 19, 2023 – The Snowshoe Foundation auction of 25 original Powder Monkey lift chairs closed. Through this blind auction, the Foundation raised $29,000 – 100% of which will go directly towards our scholarship and grant programs in our local communities.
May 11, 2023 – All lift towers have been removed.
April 24, 2023 – Removal of the terminals and lift towers begins.
April 4, 2023 – Disassembly begins with the removal of chairs, haul rope, and both the top and bottom bull wheels.
April 2, 2023 – The original Powder Monkey triple’s final day in service.