WIR 02/2019 [EN]

10 Interview
Designed for our guests
and operators
WIR spoke with Stephen Kircher, President of Boyne Resorts, and Mike Unruh,
VP Mountain Operations, Big Sky Resort.
WIR. Ramcharger 8 is a one-of-a-kind ski
lift. In North America, it is not only the first
8-seater chair lift but also the first D-Line
installation. What do these firsts mean to
Boyne Resorts, Big Sky and the industry?
Stephen Kircher: Ramcharger 8 reinforces
our long-standing reputation over the past
70 years of being first to adopt the next generation
of chairlift technology – being the
first ski company to install triple, quad and
6-place chairlifts. We are proud to help move
the industry forward again with what is, without
a doubt, the most advanced and comfortable
chairlift technology ever conceived in
Ramcharger 8. Doppelmayr over the past four
decades has become the international leader
in creating mountain transport systems. We
have treasured having them as our preferred
vendor over this period. We believe that
Doppelmayr continues to lead in all the important
categories – safety, reliability, aesthetics
and guest comfort.
WIR. The 8-seater chairlift debuted in
December 2018. What is your résumé of the
first winter season with this installation?
Stephen Kircher: Our guests were literally
blown away, an experience level that most
Americans have never imagined in a lift.
Ramcharger 8 immediately became the most
popular lift on the mountain, drawing volumes
of people to that part of the mountain and, at
the same time, handling the volumes like no
other lift on the planet. Families especially
appreciated the extra safety features and the
ultimate comfort on cold days.
WIR. Boyne Resorts is known for its pioneering
spirit and its pursuit of enhancing
guest experience. Do you already have new
projects for your skiers in mind?
Stephen Kircher: Yes, indeed. We are
working with the Doppelmayr team on many
new exciting lift projects across North America.
We believe this is going to be soon known as
the second golden age in lift installations –
certainly it is likely to be for our company with
the help of Doppelmayr’s superior technology.
WIR. D-Line is the next generation of
ropeways. How did the ropeway employees,
the operators, maintenance crews, etc. experience
this technology?
Mike Unruh: All aspects of the lift appear
to be designed not only with the guest in
mind but also with the operators and maintenance
techs in mind as well. Terminals are
more spacious, allowing easier and safer
access to components. Controls are simplified
and labeled in a manner which makes operation
of the lift more intuitive than lifts of just a
few years ago. Everyone from lift operators to
lift maintenance technicians was able to
quickly learn and adapt to the new controls
Doppelmayr Connect. Touch screen technology,
drop-down menus, along with on-screen
troubleshooting guidance were a boon to all.
The ability to have mechanical and electrical
schematics available at each terminal sped
the learning process and any troubleshooting
activities. The ability to have Doppelmayr technicians
and engineers log into the lift at any
hour of the day and from any location including
Austria was tremendously helpful and
efficient as well.
WIR. What are the biggest advantages
and comfort features for your guests that
Ramcharger 8 has to offer?
Mike Unruh: The lift is very easy to load,
starting with the load gates, progressing onto
the conveyor carpet and finishing at a load table
that is height-adjustable at the touch of a button.
These features combine to make for a smooth
and safe loading process that greatly reduces
the likelihood of misloads. The ride is the
smoothest and most comfortable experience
available. This experience starts with the wide,
heated seats and continues through the blue
bubble, extending into the shape and size of the
grip and other line equipment. The suspension
system of the carrier itself is the final touch of
excellence in the ride quality. Top terminal design
along with a wide, gentle unload ramp
resulted in a very low number of unloading issues
for guests as well.
WIR. Do you have a special experience or
story in connection with the lift you would like
to share?
Mike Unruh: Not one in particular. However,
ski enthusiasts and “lift geeks” alike are all
amazed when given the opportunity to learn
more about the inner workings and designs of
Ramcharger. They all start by being blown
away with the look and feel of the lift, and then
are truly amazed when they learn more about
the real tech advances.
WIR. Many thanks for taking the time out to
talk to us!