New Quad Lift at Alyeska Means More Vertical Time

High-speed lift "Ted's Express" replaces Chair 4

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By Kate McPherson
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Story Created: Oct 29, 2012 at 6:53 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Oct 29, 2012 at 6:53 PM AKDT

GIRDWOOD - The new high-speed quad lift opening this season will change the way skiers and riders use the mountain, according to Alyeska Resort managers.

"The old lift that this replaces, it was kind of slow, notoriously slow, this one is going to cut the ride time in half,” said Brian Burnett, Mountain Services Manager at Alyeska.

Trip time along the old Chair 4 route is estimated at 5 minutes -- it used to take 12 minutes.

“It was slow and old; it stopped a lot,” said Tracey Knutson, a skier and Girdwood resident.

“To have good new modern equipment it's going to be great -- the kids are super looking forward to it,” she said.

Brian Burnett says many people haven’t spent a lot of time exploring in the area Chair 4 serviced because of the lift ride times.

Burnett says the new lift, being dubbed "Ted’s Express" after the late Senator Stevens, will give people more downhill time.

But some locals liked this part of the mountain a little quieter.

“We have this little gem of a powder stash at the lower mountain at the end of the day,” said 15-year Girdwood resident and skier Cheryl Hickey.

“Hopefully people will filter themselves around, so it's mixed feelings. I'd love to get up there faster but then that means more people,” she said.

Other local skiers think it's a great investment.

“It means a lot to us at the Ski Club, especially because it's going to increase the amount of training we can do with the athletes,” said Ryan Donovan, an instructor with the Alyeska Ski Club.

“The turn-around time is going to much quicker, we are going to be able to get up to mid-mountain really fast. I think it's going to be an excellent improvement,” said Donovan.

Alyeska’s ski season officially opens November 21.

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