The final weeks before snowfall are crunch time at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows.
Teams of chairlift maintenance mechanics inspect tens of thousands of feet of steel cable and moving components to be sure the aerial ropeways are in working order before opening day.
Preparing chairlifts for Tahoe’s ski season is a massive undertaking for lift mechanics at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, which merged last year and have more than 40 lifts between the two resorts, including Squaw Valley’s aerial tram.
These lifts vary in size and speed, but Squaw Valley’s largest and fastest, the Gold Coast Funitel, climbs 1,742 vertical feet and can transport 4,000 passengers an hour.
Photos: Ken James Captions: Christine Calvin
High Maintenance
The Squaw Valley team prepares for ski season