Summit at Snoqualmie | Silver Fir Express [Full Speed!]

Silver Fir originally came in as a Triple, by Riblet in 1988. It was installed to more directly serve the area on the southernmost section of Ski Acres, which consisted of mainly steep runs, with a long flat runout. When built, Silver Fir was the longest chair lift at all three areas, besides possibly Bonanza. Silver Fir lived for just 30 years, and after the nearby addition of Central Express, it was clear this similar-length lift needed a cut on ride time. In 2008, the fixed grip triple was replaced with a detachable, which significantly cut the ride time, and comfort.
Silver Fir Express is a Leitner-Poma high speed quad. The lift uses all Omega technology, including lifting frames, sheaves, terminals, chairs, and grips. The original release of the LPA technology currently used by Leitner-Poma was supposed to be in 2007, but they weren't ready by then. So instead they introduced features of it over time, which on Silver Fir, ended up being the safety bars, which although have "Poma" printed on the footrest pieces, the aluminum-and-plastic design is Leitner. As the title suggests, Silver Fir is running full speed in this recording! This is a rarity, as it's always turned down, and this might be the first time I've seen it run this fast. I didn't have an opportunity capture further clips, as I had the painful experience of the lift slowing back down to 850 fpm at the bottom again. Even though the high speed quads at Snoqualmie and Alpental are shorter than average, they need to pick up the pace.
Timestamps:
0:00 Bottom Terminal
0:40 Ride Up
4:27 Top Terminal
Recorded on February 20th, 2022
GoPro Hero 10 Black, 4k Video Quality, 30 fps and Horizon Leveling

[@khatske]

I'd say this was the best, and fast quad express I've ever seen in my life! Good Job!

[@ellstackeradventures]

Yooo

[@khatske]

@@ellstackeradventures yessss????

[@jasoncassady6286]

During the weekends especially, speed gets pulled back ~ depending on weekday crowds, we were allowed to turn it up by choice on some days ;)

[@litz13]

The beginning of this video just offers yet more proof that there is nothing on this planet more ungainly looking than a snowboarder vs a chairlift

[@TwinSkiingLiftsRides]

Hooray! Wicked fast!

[@North_Cascade_Railfan]

Two things, first, I may have been there that day, I thought that it may have been running faster than usual, second, how many FPM was it running?

[@sorenjones]

It's running at full speed, which is 1000 FPM. Also, it would've been cool to meet up. If you can make it, I'm spending most of my ski season at Mt. Baker this year.

[@North_Cascade_Railfan]

@@sorenjones Ahh, I will be at the summit!

[@idahoskilifts4242]

Wow, that's fast! Were they running it fast due to long lift lines?

[@sorenjones]

Check description :). They turned it down shortly after. The lines vary, anyway.

[@ellstackeradventures]

I wana ride this chair lift

[@skimansskilifts]

Me too it looks so fast