Why no chair lifts?

[homebrewbiker]

Just curious why Afton does not go the route of Lutsen and open up a chair lift or two for some more downhill riding? Have never ridden there, but most people tell me it's not all that great, especially considering that you have to pay.

[berrywise]

Just curious why Afton does not go the route of Lutsen and open up a chair lift or two for some more downhill riding? Have never ridden there, but most people tell me it's not all that great, especially considering that you have to pay.
Probably wouldn't pay enough to have two guys operating it, and the maint. of it. Unless they went the way of building a lot of stunts and such into the trails to make them cater to more of the freeride crowd then I could see them getting more people out that way.

I personally feel the trails there are pretty weak and outside the fact that the 24 hours of Afton is held there and that generates a lot of money for MORC I was a little disappointed they were using an IMBA trail school for there.

Considering the race is the only time many of the morc members ever use the trail. It definately isn't worth seven bucks.

[ryno lite]

Even without chait lifts, if they'd build a better trail it would be pretty cool. It doesn't need chairlifts, just a better designed trail. Although, I must say it would be cool to have a ski hill around here to cater to the downhillers out there. Even though I would never downhill, I think it would be cool for the mtn bike community!

[ryno lite]

You never know, maybe Afton is thinking of having a new trail designed and built for them. Wouldn't be the first time that a non-profit group was hired to build trails on a for profit ski hill. IMBA has been contracted out west a couple of times. You're right though, total disappointment out there. It could have potential though.

[homebrewbiker]

Probably wouldn't pay enough to have two guys operating it, and the maint. of it. Unless they went the way of building a lot of stunts and such into the trails to make them cater to more of the freeride crowd then I could see them getting more people out that way.
Lutsen doesn't really have any stunts. Is it just that they have more to work with? Lutsen is naturally very rocky so that probably helps, but Afton must have some downhills that would be pretty fun even without stunts. I would think that there are enough frustrated downhillers that a place like that might get some decent support.

My buddy thought the reason they do the biking at Lutsen is to help keep the condos full. Maybe Afton does not have that same stuation ...

[seberly]

Some thoughts:

Please take a minute to reflect and consider that Afton Alps has an incredible collection of reasons for MORC and mtb riders in general to lend their support. Some are: beautiful nearby location near the St. Croix river, nearby and onsite camping, great topography (including generous vertical), large land area, desire to have summer usage of their area, paid trail workers (i.e. Afton employees), heavy equipment, experience in a personal liability environment, willing land owners who mountainbike, private ownership.

Now, that said the trails do need work, most trails do, and only the imagination limits what could be done there. I personally pushed to get Afton to be the location of the trail school because Afton needs help in: laying out trails, constructing sustainable trails, establishing a core group to assist them in this endeavour. What better use of an IMBA visit? Honestly we don't really need another one at Lebanon.

As far as lift service for freeriders/downhillers I'm sure Afton would be more than willing to do this if a group would come forward to support this activity - I heard recently that downhillers/freeriders are typically more likely to get involved in building trails for their use so maybe we can make this happen? I'm sure Afton would be willing to consider discounts/free passes for those that help.

Maybe you guys already help out all over the metro but Afton needs you as well, why don't you get involved - I know that a MORC trail steward at Afton would be welcomed by the management please contact me directly to discuss at seberly@att.net or 952 201 6294 if you or a group of you might be interested in this opportunity I will coordinate contacts at Afton.

Oh yeah, $7 bucks, big whip!, what does a movie cost or parking at Three Rivers Parks? This is a private endeavour they need to make a buck, I don't think the rate has gone up for years.

Just so you know my bias is that of one of the promoters of the 24hours of Afton. Note that this will be the 11th year, 9th at Afton - honestly the event would not happen if not at a place like Afton who gets everything set up in advance merely for the trail fee - my hat is off to them.