Stoked Skiers Enjoy Riding the New Sublette Chair at Jackson Hole | Photo Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Get ready, Jackson Hole enthusiasts! A major upgrade has hit the slopes with the brand-new, high-speed Sublette chairlift officially opening in December 2024. For 37 years, the original chair carried countless skiers and snowboarders to the iconic terrain below Rendezvous Bowl, but now, a state-of-the-art quad lift is ready to take its place, cutting ride times in half and enhancing the overall mountain experience.
Faster, Safer, and More Comfortable:
The new Sublette isn’t just a faster version of the old lift. The upgrade is a significant project, employing cutting-edge technology with the lift built by the same company that installed the popular Bridger Gondola and other lifts at the resort. The new lift features:
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Speed: A lightning-fast four-minute ride (down from around 8 minutes!) to reach the same elevation, gaining 1,600 vertical feet in a fraction of the time.
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72 premium European-style comfort chairs: The new seats are the most comfortable chairs available on the market, there will be less chairs than in the past which equals more untracked snow.
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Safety Enhancements: The lift’s alignment has been tweaked and the top terminal lowered to increase safety and minimize wind closures. It will also run in the opposite direction, reducing time spent above cliffs, a safety consideration in the rare case of an evacuation. Redundant evacuation systems are built-in, including diesel engines and a custom backup system on the bullwheel.
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Wind Resistance: Wider towers and premium, heavier chairs are used to improve the lift’s operation in the often-windy Tetons.
The Construction Story
To celebrate the new lift, Jackson Hole has released a video, “Sublette Spins On!” which tells the story of the legacy of the original lift, showcases the new upgrade and includes interviews with former lift operators. Don’t miss the full list of contributors in the credits – it was truly a team effort!
Building the new Sublette was no easy feat! It was an incredible undertaking involving months of hard work by teams from JHMR, Leitner-Poma, and Alpine Cable. Crews carefully removed the old lift and built new foundations, many of which were created by hand. The challenging terrain required the use of specialized equipment, including walking excavators and helicopters for tower placement and concrete pouring. The bulk of the lift was made in America, with key parts sourced from Switzerland and Austria.
A Grand Opening Celebration
On December 20th, Jackson Hole officially opened the new Sublette lift with a grand opening ceremony, including remarks by JHMR CEO Mary Kate Buckley and a traditional blessing which all ski resorts in the village have received upon opening, followed by the first rides for the eager crowd. The event also included a live DJ and festive food and drink specials later in the day.
The opening of the new lift coincided with the reopening of the Aerial Tram, providing access to even more terrain on Rendezvous Mountain.
Sublette’s More Than Just a Lift
Jackson Hole is dedicated to providing the ultimate experience for its visitors. The new Sublette lift is a testament to that commitment, combining speed, safety, and comfort to ensure you spend more time skiing or snowboarding on the mountain’s incredible terrain. The new lift also includes a slightly altered traverse into Tensleep Bowl. The addition of the Sublette is the sixth new lift added to Jackson Hole in the last decade.
Stay Tuned for More Updates
The new Sublette is now open for the 2024-2025 season. Be sure to follow Jackson Hole’s social channels for updates regarding the lift and all things Jackson Hole. And sign up for the Mountain Weekly Newsletter for all the JHMR updates throughout the season.
This Upgrade is a Game Changer
The new Sublette lift is a must-experience for anyone heading to Jackson Hole. It’s a leap forward in lift technology that dramatically improves access to some of the best terrain the mountain has to offer. Get ready to enjoy the ride to some of the best terrain Jackson Hole Mountain Resort offers!
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Are you stupid? How does a new lift that’s twice as fast result in more untracked powder.
Less chairs than before. Faster lift, less chairs. Most likely you won’t find lift lines at Sublette in the future? TBD how the capacity works.
-Mike