Letter from the GM-Broken Lifts- Stand By

I had a letter already written about how we smashed through all-time revenue and visit records on Saturday. Instead, I now have a new letter about smashed bearings on both lifts.

Around 10 AM on Sunday, we discovered an intermittent noise coming from the top bull wheel on the East Bowl Triple. We ceased loading the lift and determined we could safely continue to run the lift for a few minutes and get everyone off the line. We diverted all skier traffic to the Summit Double Chair and two surface lifts while we continued to assess the situation at the top of the Triple.

About 90 minutes later, the Summit Double started to show irregularities at the base terminal, and within seconds, I witnessed a critical failure in the front electric motor cabinet. We determined that we should keep the lift spinning, getting as many people safely off the line as possible. Once we had a complete failure, I concluded we would be unable to safely decouple and separate the failed electric drive system, and utilize the auxiliary power unit to finish unloading skiers. Patrol quickly mobilized and completed a manual evacuation of the lift within 30 minutes.

Losing both aerial lifts within hours due to critical component failures on one of the busiest days of the season sucks.

Here is where we stand:

The triple lift had a complete failure on the top bull wheel bearing. This part should have a 10-year lifespan, and it was on season 8. When I purchased Black Mountain, this was the most recent bull wheel bearing that had been replaced. We had it on the list to overhaul this section of the triple this coming spring. Obviously, we will be doing it much sooner now.

This project requires new specialized bearings and heavy equipment to do the installation. We believe that we have sourced a complete bearing set from a manufacturer in Tennessee. We can’t confirm availability until mid-day, but an Entabeni / Indy Pass employee is standing by to fly from Colorado to Tennessee to physically pick up the bearings and then fly to Portland this evening. Yesterday evening we got our light tower and generator to the top of the triple so that we can work around the clock on getting that lift back online (I have a love hate relationship with the light tower. While it is a very useful tool, it only seems to come out when something is very broken and always means no sleep for a few days.) Late last night, we were also able to drag the large excavator up the hill with the winch cat, solving the complexity around rigging the haul cable and lifting the bull wheel off. Stand by.

As for the double, our team worked all day and night to remove the failed drive motor from the lift. This motor and mechanical assembly was completely overhauled this summer, bringing it to like-new status. Obviously not so much. After working with the manufacturer on-site yesterday evening, it was determined that the failure was not in the electric motor itself, but in the output shaft and bearing. With additional assistance from Entabeni and Indy Pass staff overnight, the entire assembly is en route for remanufacturing under warranty as of 4 am this morning. We may have it back within 24 hours. Stand by.

Here is what we are going to do in the meantime:

If you joined us yesterday, we delivered a subpar product, and we know it. This is unacceptable, and we will make it right. In addition to doing everything that we can to get both lifts operational ASAP, anyone who purchased a lift ticket of any kind will be refunded in full, regardless of how much or little you skied yesterday. The same concept for Indy Pass visits. Any redemptions will be canceled with Indy and will not count as a visit to Black Mountain.

Additionally, anyone who visited yesterday, including downhill season pass holders, will receive a transferable comp lift ticket valid any day of the 25/26 season. This ticket can be used by yourself, or consider inviting a friend or family member to experience Black Mountain this season.

We want everyone who chooses to spend their valuable time at Black Mountain to know that we are 100% grateful and thankful for the support. If there is anything that we can do to make the situation right, please email us at 100@blackmt.com

We will continue to run all other operations as scheduled. The mountain will ski well as it was regroomed again this morning. The Handle Tow, Platter will be open 9-4. The historic J-Bar makes a special appearance, opening at 11. The entire hill is open for uphill skiing and riding all day. We will offer free uphill equipment rentals for any season passholder. Ski School will run as normal, and advanced lessons will get access to the upper mountain with free rides on our snowcat as part of any lesson.  We will have live music at the base lodge from 2-8pm with the Troy Milette Duo, followed by the Familiar Faces Band.  Plus, we will have Keith Briggs playing at the Alpine Cabin from 4-8pm.

Friday Night Lights runs again tonight, and we have added additional cat-skiing boarding times, bringing us to 5, 5:30, 6, 6:30, 7, and 7:30 loading times. Our NYE touch light parade, fireworks, and afterparty will run as scheduled. We will deploy the snowcat to get folks up the hill if needed. Make sure to sign up here in advance. The revenue generated over this holiday week is important to Black Mountain’s short- and long-term success.

There is a silver lining here… The uphill folks finally have a fully groomed mountain all to themselves till we get these lifts spinning again. Stand by.

Thanks for being here.

Erik