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A detachable chairlift or high-speed chairlift is a type of aerial lift, which, like a chairlift, consists of numerous chairs that are connected to a constantly moving steel cable that is strung between two terminals over intermediate towers. They are now commonplace at even the smallest of ski areas. Some can even be found at tourist attractions.
The major difference which sets detachable chairlifts apart from standard chairlifts is the speed. Detachable chairlifts are far faster than their fixed-grip brethren. Because the cable is usually moving faster than most skiers would be able to get on and off the chair, the chairs must be taken off the cable and slowed down substantially to allow patrons to get on and off.
Chairs, which can hold between 2 and 8 people, are connected to the cable by means of spring-loaded grips. These grips allow for the cabin to be detached from the moving cable and slowed down in the terminals, to allow passengers to board and disembark. Some detachable chairlifts have bubble chairs, which are ordinary chairlifts but with an additional plexiglass bubble covering to protect skiers in bad weather/ from the wind.
An alternative system for reconciling slow boarding speeds with fast line speeds is the "carpet lift". In this type of chairlift the chairs move at the same speed as a detachable lift's, even through the terminal, and skiers are already moving on a belt of carpet-like material when they meet the chairs. Their relative, or closing, speed is thus not excessive.
On Sunday, 26 December 2004, Lech am Arlberg and Schröcken in the Bregenzerwald, became the first chairlifts to have heated seats when five Doppelmayr detachable chairlifts offer skiers the added luxury of a warm seat on the uphill trip.
See also
External links
"Detachable chairlift"