The towers for the new Lutsen Mountains gondola were airlifted by a Sikorsky S-61 helicopter operated by CHI Aviation of Howell, Michigan on Monday, September 14. Ground and tower-climbing crews from the ski lift company Doppelmayr quickly set this 8,000-pound tower in place. See more of the exciting installation process on page A3.
An exciting phase of construction on Lutsen Mountain’s new $7 million gondola began on Monday, September 14 with the helicopter installation of 11 steel towers. Observers watched from afar as the Sikorsky 61 helicopter zipped back and forth, landing in the lower ski hill parking area and then hovering over the rugged mountainside.
Doppelmayr, a premier ski lift company, is managing the project and brings the expertise necessary for the demanding job. “Helicopter assist is common when we are working at mountain resorts,” says Steve Mayhew, foreman of the Doppelmayr crew. “The terrain is too rugged to bring in heavy equipment, and a helicopter becomes the most practical option.”
Jim Vick, marketing director at Lutsen Mountains, was grinning from ear to ear as he met the Cook County News-Herald and other members of the regional press at the ski hill to escort them to a safe place to watch the installation.
A ground crew from the ski lift company Doppelmayr watches as the Sikorsky S-61 helicopter slowly lowers a tower pipe into place. Once the pipe was close enough workers swung the tower onto the foundation and quickly bolted the 8,000-pound tower into place.
“The past three months have been spent in land surveys, earthwork and foundations,” said Vick. “Now the lift starts to take shape and a completion date of mid-November is right on target for the start of the 2015-16 season.”
The new gondola means some changes to the area adjacent to the chalet and the old gondola building. The new towers and entrance have been installed where the beginners’ hill (Flapjack) was located. Vick said not to worry, that is why excavation is taking place beyond the gondola area. A new beginners’ area is being designed. And not to worry, said Vick. It will still have the youthfriendly people mover.
As Vick explained the changes, the Sikorski 61 helicopter picked up the heavy tower pipes—some as heavy as 8,000 pounds— and the massive cross arms and flitted back and forth, installing 11 towers. One tower took extra effort to install—it consisted of two huge pipes fitted atop one another resulting in a massive tower 58 feet in the air.
For the tallest gondola tower, the Sikorsky S-61 made two trips. After the first half of the tower was in place, these Doppelmayr workers climbed it and carefully guided the second pipe into place. The workers then scaled the 58-foot tower to attach the cross arm.
Each time the helicopter returned to the parking lot, a ground crew attached another huge load. Then on the side of the mountain, another crew received the load, steadying the swaying tower pipe and securing it to the foundation. Then crewmembers scaled the tower to catch and attach the top assembly, all while working under a whirlwind of turbulence created by the giant helicopter overhead. “No doubt an exciting day’s work,” Mayhew said with a grin.
Waiting for installation are about 20 gondola cars. The new cars are larger, with comfortable seating for eight and transparent tinted sides to offer a better view of the scenery.
Once it is up and running, the new gondola will deliver up to 1,000 passengers per hour, tripling the capacity of the previous 45-year-old, four-passenger gondola. The current gondola has been in operation since 1989.
The vintage gondola cars will be sold at auction for $500-$1,000 each, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity.
Leave a Reply