Magic carpet (ski lift): Difference between revisions
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{{other uses|Magic carpet (disambiguation)}} |
{{other uses|Magic carpet (disambiguation)}} |
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[[File:Magic carpet at Keystone Mountain in Colorado.JPG|thumb|Interior of a magic carpet on the tubing run at [[Keystone Resort]] in [[Colorado]]]] |
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Magic Carpet® is a registered trademark for conveyor lift equipment |
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[[Image:Magic carpet uphill loaded P1437.jpeg|thumb|right|Magic carpet for children]] |
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manufactured by Magic Carpet Lifts, Inc. in Denver, Colorado USA. It |
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A '''magic carpet''' (also '''carpet lift''') is a type of surface lift (like [[rope tow]]s, [[T-bar lift]]s and [[platter lift]]s) installed at [[ski area]]s to transport skiers and snowboarders up the hill. The name is inspired by the [[Magic carpet|mythological magic carpets]] featured in legends. |
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relates to conveyor systems designed to transport people in the winter |
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sports industry, the water park industry, amusement/theme rides and other |
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transportation applications. |
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== Operation == |
== Operation == |
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A |
A magic carpet resembles a [[conveyor belt]] installed at the level of the snow, with the machinery and return belt typically hidden underneath. Some also include a canopy or tunnel. Passengers slide onto the belt at the base of the hill and stand with [[ski]]s or [[snowboard]] facing forward. The moving belt pulls the passengers uphill. At the top, the belt pushes the passenger onto the snow and they slide away. |
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== Advantages == |
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The first Magic Carpet® lift was developed in 1990 by Rocky Mountain |
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Magic carpets are the least threatening form of ski lift, especially for beginners and children. There is no altitude and little distance to fall, and the perceived risk of falling down is less than with [[handle tow]] lifts. They are easier to use than [[T-bar lift|T bars]] and [[Poma lift]]s and don't require any new skills to use.<ref>{{cite web |
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Conveyor & Equipment, Inc., sister company to today’s Magic Carpet Lifts<ref>http://www.magiccarpetlifts.com/</ref>, |
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| url = http://magiccarpet.rmce.com/liffea.htm |
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Inc. It was sold to ski areas as an alternative user-friendly type of surface |
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| title = Lift Features & Highlights |
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lift to the traditional wire rope-driven devices. |
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| publisher = Rocky Mountain Conveyor & Equipment, Inc. |
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| accessdate = 2008-02-06 |
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|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070816230400/http://www.magiccarpet.rmce.com/liffea.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-08-16}}</ref> |
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== Limitations == |
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Following 1997, varying designs of the original Magic Carpet® were |
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[[image:Magic carpet P1179.jpeg|thumb|left|closer view of magic carpet material]] |
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engineered to solve other transportation challenges seen at water parks and |
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Magic carpets are limited to shallow grades due to their dependence on friction between the carpet and the bottom of the ski or board. Since skis and boards are naturally slippery and the belt operates in a snowy and wet environment, friction is limited. Their slow speed, limited distance, and capacity confine them to beginner and novice areas. |
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theme parks around the world. |
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Controlling the snow to be at proper level for the entrance and exit is a more challenging snow control and grooming operation than a chairlift or rope tow. Overnight snow accumulations must be cleared before operation, typically by hand shoveling or sweeping. During operation, the carpet return device (at the top) must be periodically cleared of accumulated snow and ice. |
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== Variations == |
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Some Magic Carpets are covered for rider comfort and minimizing snowfall accumulation. Some of the longest Magic Carpets are the {{convert|560|ft|m|adj=on}} long installation at [[Stratton Mountain Resort]],<ref>{{cite web |
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| url = http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3127&newlang=ita |
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| title = America's Longest Magic Carpet Ski Lift and New Snowmaking Coming to Stratton |
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| publisher = First Tracks! Online |
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| date = 30 October 2007 |
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| accessdate = 2008-02-06 |
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}}</ref> and the nearly {{convert|800|ft|m|adj=on}} carpet at [[Buck Hill]] in [[Burnsville, Minnesota|Burnsville]], [[Minnesota]], which has an overpass over a ski run.<ref>{{cite web |
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| url = http://wcco.com/local/magic.carpet.ride.2.898539.html |
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| title = Magic Carpet Ride To The Top Of Buck Hill |
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| author = Bill Hudson |
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| publisher = [[WCCO-TV]] |
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| date = January 1, 2009 |
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| accessdate = 2009-02-16 |
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}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | |||
[[image:Magic carpet P1177.jpeg|thumb|right|Side view of magic carpet]] |
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[[File:Snowbird Magic Carpet.theora.ogv|thumb|Entering the Snowbird Utah Tunnel on a Magic Carpet Ski Lift]] |
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[[File:Snowbird Magic Carpet2.theora.ogv|thumb|Exiting the Snowbird Utah Tunnel from a Magic Carpet Ski Lift]] |
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{{reflist}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [http://www.chalathatten.com/CM/RepresentativeCases/RepresentativeCases28.asp R. Fearneyhough vs. Magic Carpet Lifts case report] settlement of operator's arm amputated due to ski lift design defect |
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* [http://www.magiccarpetlift.com] Official Website of Magic Carpet Lifts |
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{{SkiLift}} |
{{SkiLift}} |
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Revision as of 23:54, 1 February 2012
A magic carpet (also carpet lift) is a type of surface lift (like rope tows, T-bar lifts and platter lifts) installed at ski areas to transport skiers and snowboarders up the hill. The name is inspired by the mythological magic carpets featured in legends.
Operation
A magic carpet resembles a conveyor belt installed at the level of the snow, with the machinery and return belt typically hidden underneath. Some also include a canopy or tunnel. Passengers slide onto the belt at the base of the hill and stand with skis or snowboard facing forward. The moving belt pulls the passengers uphill. At the top, the belt pushes the passenger onto the snow and they slide away.
Advantages
Magic carpets are the least threatening form of ski lift, especially for beginners and children. There is no altitude and little distance to fall, and the perceived risk of falling down is less than with handle tow lifts. They are easier to use than T bars and Poma lifts and don't require any new skills to use.[1]
Limitations
Magic carpets are limited to shallow grades due to their dependence on friction between the carpet and the bottom of the ski or board. Since skis and boards are naturally slippery and the belt operates in a snowy and wet environment, friction is limited. Their slow speed, limited distance, and capacity confine them to beginner and novice areas.
Controlling the snow to be at proper level for the entrance and exit is a more challenging snow control and grooming operation than a chairlift or rope tow. Overnight snow accumulations must be cleared before operation, typically by hand shoveling or sweeping. During operation, the carpet return device (at the top) must be periodically cleared of accumulated snow and ice.
Variations
Some Magic Carpets are covered for rider comfort and minimizing snowfall accumulation. Some of the longest Magic Carpets are the 560-foot (170 m) long installation at Stratton Mountain Resort,[2] and the nearly 800-foot (240 m) carpet at Buck Hill in Burnsville, Minnesota, which has an overpass over a ski run.[3]
References
- ^ "Lift Features & Highlights". Rocky Mountain Conveyor & Equipment, Inc. Archived from the original on 2007-08-16. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
- ^ "America's Longest Magic Carpet Ski Lift and New Snowmaking Coming to Stratton". First Tracks! Online. 30 October 2007. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
- ^ Bill Hudson (January 1, 2009). "Magic Carpet Ride To The Top Of Buck Hill". WCCO-TV. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
External links
- R. Fearneyhough vs. Magic Carpet Lifts case report settlement of operator's arm amputated due to ski lift design defect
