Owl's Head to Remove World's First HSQ

TomWhite

Instagram Owl’s Head to Replace Lake Lift March 4, 2019Peter Landsman17 Comments

The world’s first high speed quad is finally headed for retirement after 38 winter seasons in two countries. Owl’s Head in Quebec will dismantle the Lake quad this spring, a machine which originally entered service at Breckenridge as Quicksilver in 1981. The Doppelmayr detachable moved to Quebec in 1999 but has been out of service of late due to mechanical problems.

The soon-to-be-gone Lake lift utilizes chain conveyors and a remote tension bullwheel unlike modern detachable lifts. Photo credit: rodo_af, remontees-mecaniques.net.

The replacement will be a $2.6 million Doppelmayr Alpen-Star fixed-grip quad with loading carpet that will open in time for next season. The new lift will move up to 2,200 skiers per hour. This is the first major investment by a new ownership group at an area with seriously aging infrastructure. “We were more than due to upgrade this lift,” said Destination Owl’s Head CEO Pierre Bourdages. “The loading carpet will be a huge improvement, especially for young and new skiers.”

trackbiker

I skied at Owls Head on Friday, February 1st and that chair was not running. It doesn’t really provide access to much terrain that you can’t get to from other lifts. It appeared to be more of an access lift for the lake side houses. The houses looked very nice and it wouldn’t be too tough to have both slope side and lake side in the same house. Of course, a HSQ would be nice but I don’t think it is really necessary in that location. I didn’t notice that the infrastructure seemed dated other than some of the double chairs looked to be older but well maintained. The lodge is very nice and well maintained. I highly recommend skiing there. The views if Lake Mephremagog are really nice.

ciscokid

Nice pic track
Like reading about these Quebec areas

bmwskier

That is a gorgeous view. How far is it from Burlington?

trackbiker

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“bmwskier”>That is a gorgeous view. How far is it from Burlington?</blockquote>

Not sure but you can see Jay Peak from one of the trails that winds around the back side. This picture is zoomed in a bit

NELSAP

Actually, the first high speed detachable quad was installed at Val Bialas, Utica, NY in 1969 by Mohawk International.

NewEnglandSkier13

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“NELSAP”>Actually, the first high speed detachable quad was installed at Val Bialas, Utica, NY in 1969 by Mohawk International.</blockquote>

Do you have any more info/pictures?

NELSAP

I do, let me check when I get home.

Tyg

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“NewEnglandSkier13”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“NELSAP”>Actually, the first high speed detachable quad was installed at Val Bialas, Utica, NY in 1969 by Mohawk International.</blockquote>

Do you have any more info/pictures?</blockquote>

From a comment on liftblog.com by its own Peters Landsman says, “The Ski Area Management lift survey indicates it was a detachable double, not a quad, installed in 1968. But it also says the capacity was 2,400 per hour, which would indicate a quad. Line speed was 650 and it was replaced by a Borvig double in 1973.” Also says “It was plagued by problems and barely operated.”

link to the article on liftblog.com with comment section on bottom https://liftblog.com/2019/03/04/owls-head-to-replace-lake-lift/

Tyg

Here is a link to info/pictures of the current Lake Quad (in french but you can translate the page to english)

https://remontees-mecaniques.net/bdd/reportage-tsd4-du-lac-doppelmayr-4243.html

TomWhite

Yes, I didn’t paste the many comments as I did for the other two threads yesterday. Here’s their leader on our leader: Peter Landsman March 5, 2019 / 8:25 am From Jeremy Davis of NELSAP fame via email: “Thought I’d share an interesting tidbit on the first detachable quad- it wasn’t the Breckenridge one that went to Owl’s Head. Instead, it was built by Mohawk International at Val Bialas in Utica, NY in 1969. It was plagued by problems and barely operated.”

riverc0il

The summit HSQ at Owl’s Head is also quite dated as well, I think, from my recollection. I can’t remember exactly but I remember that it seemed to be of an older vintage.

That lower mountain HSQ did service a nice terrain pod, especially for beginners and lower intermediates. It was definitely more than just a lower mountain lodging lift. I think the high speed was overkill, but it was a considerably more vertical terrain pod than say the lower mountain HSQ at Burke. Nice and wide low angle groomers from that lift.

Are there any other instances of a high speed lift being down graded to a fixed grip lift?

It is certainly interesting that HSQs have been around long enough that some are nearing end of life already, especially the initial installations that might not have the refined technology learned improved upon from subsequent installations.

jaytrem

Mt Ellen sorta kinda for a little while. I think there was another one somewhere. Gotta think about it. Ego at MS was a bit of a downgrade, not the one i'm thinking of though.

NELSAP

Here’s the one in Utica. As you can see, it was a sideways loading as well as the uphill! Jeremy

jaytrem

Finally got it. Beech in NC just went from a hsq to a fixed grip. Now I can go to sleep.

conrad

Absolutely incredible photo of the Utica lift.

conrad

According to skilifts.org, the Utica quad might actually be a 1968 install. There are plenty of mistakes in the pages though, including calling it a double! http://www.skilifts.org/old/install_na1968.htm

TomWhite

Are there photos showing how people loaded/unloaded a “sideways” chair?

NewEnglandSkier13

I am heading up to Owl’s Head to ski on the 18th during spring break. I’ll be sure to get photos of the Lake Quad!

NELSAP

Unfortunately those are the only photos I have.