Industry News
On the heels of opening the new Lone Peak Tram, Big Sky Resort, Montana, continues to forge ahead on its 2025 Vision, today announcing the resort’s second eight-place and third state-of-the-art D-line chairlift replacing the existing Six Shooter lift. The new eight-place lift will effectively double the uphill capacity while reducing ride time by 30%, offering guests swift and comfortable access to Big Sky Resort’s north side terrain from the Madison Base Area. This lift will also set a new record globally as the longest eight-place installation in the world.
“Replacing Six Shooter has long been an ask of our guests. The lift replacement doubles the uphill capacity at one of our last remaining pinch points, and will enhance what is one of the resort’s coldest lift rides with bubbles and heated seats.”
— Troy Nedved, Big Sky Resort General Manager
The new lift will be equipped with the comforts many guests are already accustomed to at Big Sky Resort: weatherproof Big Sky Blue bubbles, longer load intervals, ergonomically shaped, extra-wide heated seats, and a height-adjustable loading platform. This lift will also debut two additional guest enhancements: the resort’s first automatic lowering and locking safety bar system, and North America’s first installation of the Fatzer Performa-DT rope which will deliver the smoothest and quietest lift ride possible.
The new lift will follow a nearly identical alignment to the existing Six Shooter six-place lift and will include chair storage in the upper and lower terminals. Construction will begin in summer 2024, with a scheduled opening for the 24/25 winter season. “We’re excited to collaborate with Lone Mountain Land Company to accelerate the timing of this important lift replacement,” said Nedved. “Big Sky Resort is at the forefront of transforming the North American ski experience by adding the most advanced and comfortable lift system to our mountain. This lift replacement, our seventh in as many years, supports our long-standing reputation for having some of the shortest lift lines in the Rockies,” he added.
- Related: Ramcharger 8: North America’s First 8-Seater Chairlift Opened at Big Sky Resort, MT this Weekend
“This new eight-place lift will greatly enhance the ski access to the full north side of the mountain from the Madison Base.This new lift also connects our Moonlight Basin community and guests of One&Only Moonlight Basin, scheduled to open in winter 2025, with a greatly elevated lift experience, on par with the rest of Big Sky Resort’s modern lift system and expansive terrain.”
— Matt Kidd, Lone Mountain Land Company President
Specs of the new North Side 8-Chair:
- Doppelmayr 8-place lift with bubble and heated seats
- Nearly double the uphill capacity, transporting up to 2,745 skiers per hour
- Traveling up to 6 meters per second, or 13 miles per hour
- Longest 8-place lift in the world
- 8 minute ride time, reducing current ride time by 30%
- 12 second load interval, for a comfortable, unrushed loading experience
- 80 chairs
- 29 towers
