Well if it is the same "engineer" that design snowpark lift (still alive?) It will not be that hard for them to get a signature. Hopefully FS is requiring someone actually independent.
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Well if it is the same "engineer" that design snowpark lift (still alive?) It will not be that hard for them to get a signature. Hopefully FS is requiring someone actually independent.
What engineer in their right mind is going to want to sign off on this?
Well I heard they were able to choose the engineer. Of course, this is my first post on here so you can take it with a grain of salt. I have skied Snowbowl since 1973 and never have had to be roped off. Is that a record? Anyway, the info I heard just doesn't surprise me at all. I just hope they pick an engineer that will do a good job. Hate to see them go for the engineer that will make it easier to open up. This could lead to future problems. But, I guess, if they did and something does happen, Snowbowl could just blame the engineer and the forest service (hey, the engineer said it was good to go so its' not our fault).Quote:
Originally Posted by 406
Seems clear that the snowpark chair is part of the required maintenance, and the new TV lift isn’t. So then the question becomes- are the griz and lavelle chairs part of the order because they inspected them and found an issue?
This is from the Missoulian article. I read this to mean they are working through all of the lifts. My question is if the fixes are mostly mechanical in nature, or procedural? Create playbooks for accidents, documented training, etc.
During the lift review, she said, "They looked at all of them. They did do what we asked. Everything was examined." She said that Snowbowl is working through the issues one lift at a time. She added that the review and repair process are on schedule, but that officials will meet further with Snowbowl before she can authorize the ski area to open.
"She" was the Lolo Forest Supervisor
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From Snowbowl FB:
Quote:
October 6, 2023
As we prepare for what we expect to be a great season, we would like to update our customers on activities on the mountain this summer and to address concerns surrounding our operations for the coming season. We have been busy on many fronts. Through a full summer season of chair lift rides, weddings, zip lines, and mountain biking, we continue to move forward with the planned expansion of TV Mountain.
This spring we also sought and hired an experienced independent tramway engineer to inspect all of our lifts to ensure we are in compliance with the new American National Standard Institute B77.1 standards. Additionally, he evaluated what caused the incident involving the Snow Park lift last March. He spent several days evaluating our lifts this summer and fall, and all the corrections that he recommended have been completed. In addition, all the lifts will be inspected again this fall by a second tramway engineer as part of our normal annual pre-opening preparations.
Based on the recommendations from the engineers, we are also undertaking several initiatives to improve our overall operation and to prevent the sequence of events that caused the incident on the Snow Park lift last winter.
• Extra training of staff incorporating specific training on anticipating and proactively dealing with situations that could result in problems including miss-loads and unusual chair swing.
• Changes in operating procedures and loading areas.
• Use of new tools and technology for training and monitoring lift operations.
• We are establishing clearer lines of communication among the departments at Snowbowl.
We are confident, as this work is now being finalized and documented for Forest Service approval, that Snowbowl will open as anticipated, weather dependent, on December 8. We will update the public as soon as the Forest Service has given us final approval. Naturally, we will refund, in full, all pass and coupon purchases if the Forest Service does not allow us to open for the season.
Finally, we would like to reiterate our commitment to providing a safe and affordable experience for our community. The safety of our employees and public is always our first and foremost concern. We will continue, as we have for four decades, to work together with our staff, community partners, and the Forest Service to ensure Snowbowl remains a ski area dedicated to the safety and enjoyment for our entire community.
Does Norseman know about Pat yet ?
You mean Pat McKay? The hairbrained mountain manager responsible for shooting holes in mtn ops and patching em with tape since 1988?
Been meaning to say this for a while but thank you to everyone who replied to my request for tips, both here in the thread and via PMs. I'm still working on responding to them all.
I'm a little conflicted about what to do about ski passes for my family. If there wasnt the redneck fuckery of the mgmt, Snowbowl would be a no-brainer.
Will this mandatory review process be the kick in the ass needed - the broken tailbone of change - for an update to their ops style? I can handle a gap-toothed crew and minimal services, but the basic matters of safety are tougher to look past.
There was a pretty good story on our local news last night, although I can't find it online, but it sounds like they have had or are having basically three separate inspections done by different experts/engineers...seems like any major issues should be addressed. They interviewed a female Morris...not Ronnie, maybe Andy's wife?...anyway she seemed to actually have a brain and know how to articulate what's going on pretty well. It's not like this is last minute stuff, they've been working on this since spring. Personally I think it's going to be fine, but I have no inside knowledge of the situation.
Depends on how rugged the family is...might want to consider Disco pass for family and bowl pass for you. Studs on all 4 for the shitty drive, but much better family experience. Lost trail worth thinking about, but I would pick I90 over 93 if driving with kids often.
I'm not concerned about them completing the work to bring their infrastructure back into compliance. The FS and engineering team will hold their hand through the steps.
But going forward, will they be able to maintain the willpower to actually run the place any differently?
Noted.Quote:
Originally Posted by 406
Hopefully not... careful what you wish for :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by Norseman
For sure.
Might want to also give lookout pass a try for a couple reasons.
1. It’s affordable
2. The drive isn’t bad on i90
3. You get the hour time change
4. The new chairlift and terrain it opens up is solid.
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Lookout is worth a day...not a season though, it's pretty flat. New chair so-so IMO.
Having Silver Mtn within easy distance for overnighters would be nice. Never took advantage of that when I lived in Missoula, wish I had.
The Bowl is just so dang close to town... That really seals the deal if you plan to ski a lot.
I expect Snowbowl will open as usual, the Morrises having done at least the bare minimum needed to pass inspection.
The deposit by May for a discount has been around forever, absolutely nothing new.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowagriz
The Bowl will open as usual, I would bet. "Naturally," I screen-shotted the FB post about refunds if that is wrong.
But please, for the safety of all involved, I encourage you to drive 90++ miles on sketchy roads because that is obviously safer than the Bowl's lifts which have a significant history of causing major injury...or not.
Got a place lined up near Lowell school in Westside.
Gonna buy ski passes to the Bowl and occasionally day-trip further afield.
Thanks for the responses. See some of you soon.
Right on man. I hope moving back to Montana works out as well for your clan as it did for mine. It wasn't an easy decision to make at the time, but zero regrets now. See ya on the slopes somewhere.
Wow Norse- you are moving to Missoula while I have moved to the South Sound. Had hoped to shoot some photos with you this winter but looks more like trains passing in the night.
Take LOTS of photos and post them, the thread deserves it. And I’m sure swimmie will appreciate the extra contributions in the MT thread. Missoula will treat you right.
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SB has joined the Indy Pass for the 23-24 season.
https://www.indyskipass.com/faq/
This is the right call.Quote:
Originally Posted by Norseman
If you are looking for a kids' program, both the Missoula Ski Education Foundation (MSEF) and Missoula Freestyle Team (MFT) have really, really great programs with awesome coaches, and will keep your kid occupied basically all day on Saturday. The quality of skiers coming out of both programs is ridiculous. They are totally unaffiliated with Snowbowl (except for using the facilities) so they have none of Bowl bullshit one might otherwise expect.
I still have your photo I won on my wall!Quote:
Originally Posted by Norseman
Welcome to town.
Still debating the Indy pass addon. I don't like solo travelling. Need to get my housemate on board. Anyone know if Lifties get any Indy pass deals if they work at one of the mountains?
Serious question: are pass parties ever coming back?
Marshall to come under ownership of Missoula County:
https://montanafreepress.org/2023/10...reas-heritage/
So, status quo for MTB etc up there I guess?
Any word on the street about Snowbowl's bootstrap progress? Easy to find recent vague statements about "things are progressing"