The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Repair or replacement to be determined for 2019/2020
By Katherine Nettles
It turns out the Teocalli chairlift will be sitting still this season, after a 39-year run serving intermediate terrain on the north side of the resort between Paradise Bowl and the front of the mountain. Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) officials sent out an official statement announcing the decision on December 3, after the resort had been open for 11 days and the chairlift had yet to turn.
The fixed-grip double chairlift, which was installed in 1979, will not operate this season “due to the lead time required to manufacture parts and perform the maintenance necessary for its operation,” according to the statement. The resort would not comment on what specific issues the lift has, but stated that the lift was run safely last season. All of the terrain served by the Teocalli lift is accessible from other lifts and will continue to be open.
The terrain, such as Bushwacker, Meander, Gus’ Way and Rosebush Glades, can be accessed from the skiers-left side of the Paradise pod of runs, and from the top of the Red Lady lift. Using that terrain, however, will require either taking the Paradise Access run to exit back to Paradise lift or continuing down to the East River lift farther downhill and then taking Paradise lift to get back to the base area.
“We are focused on providing a fun and safe experience for our guests and employees and apologize for the inconvenience,” said CBMR communications specialist Zachary Pickett.
Pickett said it is not yet clear whether the Teocalli lift is done forever, and said that the lift operations department will spend this season evaluating and creating a plan. “Over the course of the coming season, we’ll be evaluating whether the lift will be repaired or replaced for the 2019/20 season,” said Pickett.
The resort would not comment on what is expected to become of the Twister lift, another double chairlift that will not be running this year.
