new chair at Hyak - thoughts?

www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/news/new-chairlift-summit-east

my initial reaction was a little disappointed, but if this is meant to make Hyak link up a little better with Silver Fir and turn that eastern part of the Summit Ridge into a better tree-lined family cruising zone then maybe not so bad?

The lines through the woods the lift is bisecting are gonna be a lot more visible unfortunately, but the lift line run could be interesting ...

Edit: took another look and the lift line will be mostly too off-camber to ski? hmmm. Also noticed actually how close the bottom of this lift is to the bottom of Silver Fir ...

I have had some good times in that "meadow skipping" terrain with my kids and novice telemarking friends. I don't have a problem with that piece of intraresort development as long as they save some money and space to keep the Nordic scene going. I do wish they would establish some Nordic trails on that side of the hill as a better way to access the upper trails. The powerline area is already destroyed and would be a good place to switchback up to the Nordic hut. Also a good idea for "uphill travel" for those that like to Nordic ski ("skimo") with alpine touring gear. Just brainstorming...

This lift will get the powder pigs off the triple chair so less stop/go and will reduce the traffic on the cat track to the lodge which is a big +. I'm hoping this investment will get them to open the lifts at Hyak at least 1 or more days during the week. I did hear there will be extensive brush cutting this fall and they plan to open as soon as possible instead of waiting util xmas as they usually do.

so they will be open by christmas? huh, that's some early planning.

so they will be open by christmas? huh, that's some early planning.

If we get normal snowfall next season they should be able to open the first week of December if the rumors are correct that they will open the area as soon as possible.

I did hear there will be extensive brush cutting this fall...

This is good news.