TL;DR
Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah is auctioning 75 chairs from its retired Eagle Express lift, with bids starting at $500 and running until August 7. Proceeds from the auction will support the newly established Solitude Fund, offering assistance to resort staff during unexpected hardships. Eagle Express, the first high-speed detachable chairlift in Utah built in 1989, has served as a key access point to signature terrains, but its maintenance has become challenging, leading to its replacement with a modern 6-person chairlift by Doppelmayr, set to be operational by December 2023. The auction offers skiers and snowboarders a chance to own a piece of skiing history while contributing to a meaningful cause.
Utah skiers will have a unique opportunity to acquire a memorable piece of Solitude Mountain Resort's history - the renowned Eagle Express. Starting Tuesday, August 1, a limited number of 75 chairs from the retired lift will be put up for auction. Interested buyers can participate in the bidding process, with opening bids set at $500. The auction will remain open until Monday, August 7, providing ample time to place bids. Winners of the auction will have the privilege of collecting their acquired chairs from Solitude on August 11.The significance of this auction extends beyond mere ownership of a cherished item. All proceeds generated from the auction of these iconic chairs will be dedicated to the Solitude Fund. This recently established initiative aims to support the resort's staff during times of unforeseen hardship, offering crucial assistance to those in need. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Solitude Mountain Resort (@solitudemountain) Eagle Express holds a special place in the hearts of many, having served as a vital part of Solitude's operations for over three decades since its construction in 1989. It facilitated access to signature terrains like Sunshine Bowl, Serenity, and Challenger, becoming an integral part of the skiing experience for visitors from all over.As the years passed, maintaining the chairlift proved challenging due to the scarcity of replacement parts. Consequently, the resort has taken the prudent step of replacing it with a modern high-speed 6-person chairlift, currently under construction and slated for operational readiness by mid-December 2023, thanks to Doppelmayr.
About the author
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
