Olympic Express - Nakiska - Doppelmayr

History of the Lift: The Doppelmayr detachable quad at Nakiska, constructed in 1987, stands as a testament to the evolution of the resort. Emerging two years after the installation of the initial three lifts and just a year prior to the Olympic Games, Olympic Express was strategically positioned as a supplementary access point to the mountain. Its primary role was facilitating a convenient entry to the mid-mountain lodge and providing access to racing events originating from the Gold chair. Despite excelling in these aspects, including the ability for skiers to download, the lift falls short when it comes to skiing functionality. Its initiation and termination points are suboptimal, restricting access primarily to the Gold chair and a beginner run down the mountain. Two of its towers rise prominently as they intersect with the Gold chair express. In 2018, a notable alteration occurred with the removal of half the chairs from the line, although the rationale behind this change remains uncertain. Whether these chairs were relocated to the Silver express to enhance capacity is unclear. Olympic usually only functions on weekends and busy holidays, contributing to its status as a less frequented option for skiers.
Description of the Lift: The 1987 Doppelmayr CLD-260 detachable chair, in contrast to the Silver express, lacks windows on its terminals. Spanning a considerable length, the lift is predominantly flat, gaining steepness towards the end after traversing the Gold chair, marked by a prominent depression tower. Originally equipped with 168 chairs, a reduction by half occurred a few years ago, leaving the lift with 25 towers. Operating intermittently, the machine remains in excellent condition, with no apparent plans for replacement in the foreseeable future. The video capturing this lift's unique characteristics was taken on Nakiska's opening day for the 2023/24 ski season, providing a glimpse into the resort's rich history and distinctive lift infrastructure.
Specifications:
Design Speed - 1000 ft/min
Normal Operating Speed ~ 1000 ft/min
Design Capacity - 1300 p/h
Drive - Top
Return - Bottom
Tensioning - Bottom (Hydraulic)
Towers: 25
Chairs: 84
Recorded on November 4, 2023

[@mattiatorX]

I always preferred to take Olympic up over the crowded Silver chair whenever it was open. Always felt like it was a more direct shot to get to Gold chair. Not as good for looping, since it's looooooong. The prevailing theory I hear for the removal of half of the chairs is that it'll put less strain on the aging lift, which I highly doubt is in the cards to get replaced any time soon given its limited operation during the year. As you've said, super low hours for how old it is, and I'm sure they'd love to keep it around as an auxiliary lift for decades. If any lift gets upgraded at Nakiska in the near future, it's definitely gonna be that Silver chair. A six pack would really help with lines over there.

[@qwertyuiop-kd4qq]

What a classic!

[@lornetyndale7974]

Might want to update the first sentence of your description. Olympic was installed in 1987, not 1985. :) I love the lift POV videos!

[@Skier72]

Updated, thanks!

[@YouTubular1234]

Are you going to Norquay any time soon?

[@Skier72]

Sadly probably not this season

[@JamesRegister-np7gn]

You should collab with Avery Zucco.

[@Skier72]

Not saying who, but in the next few months, I'm going to be doing a big collaboration with a certain KZbinr (not Avery Zucco though)

[@RD1R]

Wonder how much longer this chain drive detatch has left...

[@Skier72]

Quite a while. Silver will get replaced long before this lift ever does. Silver will also give many parts for Olympic. Due to the fact that this lift has low hours for it's age, I could see this lift lasting indefinitely.

[@stevengordon617]

not much snow yet. Quick question do you have to download this chair to get back to the base area or can you ski down ?! ⛷🤔

[@Skier72]

This video was taken on opening day (early November). They now have the green down the lower half of the mountain open

[@stevengordon617]

@@Skier72 okay good to know what will your next video be on ! are you thinking of doing win sport or lake Louise next ?

[@Skier72]

@@stevengordon617 I'll make it to Sunshine a few times this season. Hopefully I can get to Lake Louise. I'd like to try again to get to Pano this season

[@stevengordon617]

@@Skier72 okay sounds good