> Its time
IMO it is well past time.
A cable car can't move the numbers, we need something like 5,000-6,000 per hour to handle the peak
periods. The 3S products can do this, they are a hybrid lift, based on tech from a gondola and cable
car. Key features are very high uptime, full redundancy by design, wind is not a problem almost ever
(helps if the path is in line with the prevailing wind), huge capacity and very fast. Low running cost.
I looked at Mirimbah and was working on a plan to start there for around 6 years. It has some benefits
as well as some issues, the main one being the cost. Finding $200 million is harder then it might seem.
So around 4-5 years back I started to research the plough shed as a starting point. There is a lot going
for it. The gradient is a big part of the solution, the area to the south of the plough shed chain bay is only
second to the village and baldy. And it is a huge area, easily enough for 4,000 cars, plus buses, loading/
unloading bays near the lift etc. The main power feeds in to the resort (under and above ground) are
there. Good water access with the creek. The alignment is North-South, inline with the prevailing winds.
As the face is facing north, it has great solar access, helps burning off snow in the carparks. 2,000 bays
can be access without stairs, it could be more.
Parking 4000 average size cars at the plough shed location, saves 16 tonnes of CO2 of what would be
used driving the extra 16km round trip.
It is close to half way down the mountain, both in distance by road and attitude, 8 km and 480m below
the village. The direct path, is under 2km, making a trip time about 4-5 minutes. It is below the 7 hairpin
corners and for the most part, the snow line. I expect you would never have to carry and or fit chains.
The lift would only require one tower, just above the Gas Tanks, to rise above the tree line. There is
jeep track access to this area. Tree removal would be limited to the car parking area as the lift is
above the trees beyond that.
This product would be as much about the green season as it would the winter, this helps a lot as
far as cost goes. Many other ideas in the past required the winter visitor to pay for it in full. The area
is perfect for mountain biking as well as separate walking trails, via the Blind creek falls. In fact, plans
are already underway to develop mountain bike trails to the plough shed. I ride the area often, about
3 times a week. The 3S (35-38 passenger) cabins are big enough for several bikes and riders to walk
into.
There are many other benefits, such as it would free up most the parking areas around the skating
rink for increased snow play, snow mobile rides, staff accommodation etc. The Sled Dogs could be
there as well. Removing all road side parking (excluding the village).
This image, if it is readable, is the west elevation.
