Riblet's first chairlift, the Magic Mile at Timberline, as seen in the early 1940s. In the background is Timberline Lodge.

The Riblet Tramway Company of Spokane, Washington,[1] which operated from 1908 to 2003, was once the largest ski chairlift manufacturer in the world.

The company was founded by Byron Christian Riblet, who was born in Osage, Iowa, in 1865 and earned a degree in Civil Engineering. Arriving in Spokane in 1885, his first work was laying out railway and streetcar lines. He also built dams and irrigation projects.

In 1896, Riblet was contracted to erect an ore tramway designed by the Finlayson company at the Noble Five silver mine in Sandon, British Columbia, to assist in moving ore down Reco Mountain to the mill at Cody. Apparently Riblet thought he was coming to build a streetcar line. Even so, Riblet decided he could improve the mining tram performance. Over time, Riblet raised more aerial tramways in the booming mining district, building 30 in the next decade. Riblet returned to Spokane in 1908, after working in the Kootenays, to found the Riblet Tramway Company. The company, which specialized in mining tramways, built them in Alaska, Canada, the western United States, and South America.

Riblet built its first chairlift in 1938 at Mount Hood, Oregon. Byron Riblet died in 1952, but the company boomed with the postwar rise of ski resorts. Skiing gained in popularity, and soon ski lifts became the major part of the Riblet Tramway Company's business. They built more than 400 lifts, particularly in Washington, Oregon, and California, and as far away as Australia, New Zealand and Chile; one secondhand American lift has also been relocated to Pakistan.[2] They have the most double chair lifts operating in the U.S.

The company only built fixed-grip lifts, whose chair grip is woven into the haul rope rather than clamped onto it. But other technologies eventually proved more popular. In early 2003, the firm announced that it was no longer viable and would go out of business.[3]

Installations

Riblet chairlifts can be found in many places still in service, though the majority have been removed. The following tables contain those documented by liftblog.com as of September 5th, 2021. More Riblet chairlifts may be in existence, though some listed below may have already been removed. At least 265 existing Riblet chairlifts still exist and 268 are no longer installed.

United States
Location Ski area name Remaining Removed Reference Additional notes
Alaska Alyeska 1 6 https://liftblog.com/alyeska-ak/ The last riblet remaining is no longer in use and is no longer on the trail map.
Alaska Arctic Valley 2 0 https://liftblog.com/arctic-valley-ak/
Alaska Eaglecrest 3 0 https://liftblog.com/eaglecrest-ak/
Alaska Hilltop 1 0 https://liftblog.com/hilltop-ak/
Arizona Arizona Snowbowl 1 2 https://liftblog.com/arizona-snowbowl-az/
Arizona Sunrise Park 0 2 https://liftblog.com/sunrise-park-az/
California Alta Sierra 2 0 https://liftblog.com/alta-sierra-ca/
California Badger Pass 0 1 https://liftblog.com/yosemite-ca/
California Bear Mountain 2 1 https://liftblog.com/bear-mountain-ca/
California Bear Valley 4 3 https://liftblog.com/bear-valley-ca/
California Boreal 0 5 https://liftblog.com/boreal-ca/
California China Peak 2 3 https://liftblog.com/china-peak-ca/
California Dodge Ridge 5 1 https://liftblog.com/dodge-ridge-ca/
California Donner Ski Ranch 5 0 https://liftblog.com/donner-ski-ranch-ca/
California / Nevada Heavenly 2 2 https://liftblog.com/heavenly-canv/
California Homewood 0 1 https://liftblog.com/homewood-ca/
California June Mountain 2 1 https://liftblog.com/june-mountain-ca/
California Mammoth Mountain 0 3 https://liftblog.com/mammoth-mountain-ca/
California Mountain High 1 0 https://liftblog.com/mountain-high-ca/
California Mt. Shasta 0 2 https://liftblog.com/mt-shasta-ca/
California Mt. Waterman 2 0 https://liftblog.com/mt-waterman-ca/
California Northstar 0 7 https://liftblog.com/northstar-ca/
California Snow Valley 0 1 https://liftblog.com/snow-valley-ca/
California Palisades Tahoe 0 8 https://liftblog.com/squaw-valley-ca/
California Sugar Bowl 0 5 https://liftblog.com/sugar-bowl-ca/
Colorado Aspen Highlands 0 9 https://liftblog.com/aspen-highlands-co/
Colorado Aspen Mountain 1 5 https://liftblog.com/aspen-mountain-co/
Colorado Breckenridge 6 5 https://liftblog.com/breckenridge-co/
Colorado Buttermilk 0 3 https://liftblog.com/buttermilk-co/
Colorado Crested Butte 0 3 https://liftblog.com/crested-butte-co/
Colorado Cuchara 3 1 https://liftblog.com/cuchara-co/
Colorado Eldora 1 0 https://liftblog.com/eldora-co/
Colorado Hesperus 1 0 https://liftblog.com/hesperus-co/
Colorado Keystone 0 2 https://liftblog.com/keystone-co/
Colorado Powderhorn 0 1 https://liftblog.com/powderhorn-co/
Colorado Purgatory 3 2 https://liftblog.com/purgatory-co/
Colorado Snowmass 0 12 https://liftblog.com/snowmass-co/
Colorado Sunlight 3 0 https://liftblog.com/sunlight-co/
Colorado Vail 0 12 https://liftblog.com/vail-co/
Colorado Winter Park 1 4 https://liftblog.com/winter-park-co/
Idaho Bogus Basin 2 2 https://liftblog.com/bogus-basin-id/
Idaho Brundage 0 2 https://liftblog.com/brundage-id/
Idaho Kelly Canyon 2 0 https://liftblog.com/kelly-canyon-id/
Idaho / Montana Lookout Pass 3 1 https://liftblog.com/lookout-pass-id/
Idaho Schweitzer 2 7 https://liftblog.com/schweitzer-mountain-resort-id/
Idaho Silver Mountain 1 0 https://liftblog.com/silver-mountain-id/
Idaho Sun Valley - Bald Mountain 0 4 https://liftblog.com/sun-valley-bald-mountain-id/
Illinois Chestnut Mountain 1 0 https://liftblog.com/chestnut-mountain-il/
Indiana Perfect North Slopes 5 0 https://liftblog.com/perfect-north-slopes-in/
Kentucky Natural Bridge 1 0 https://liftblog.com/skylift-natural-bridge-ky/
Maine Camden Snowbowl 1 0 https://liftblog.com/camden-snowbowl-me/
Maine Shawnee Peak 0 1 https://liftblog.com/shawnee-peak-me/
Massachusetts Jiminy Peak 3 1 https://liftblog.com/jiminy-peak-ma/
Michigan Alpine Valley 3 0 https://liftblog.com/alpine-valley-mi/
Michigan Big Powderhorn 9 0 https://liftblog.com/big-powderhorn-mi/
Michigan Bittersweet 2 0 https://liftblog.com/bittersweet-mi/
Michigan Blackjack 4 0 https://liftblog.com/blackjack-mi/
Michigan Boyne Highlands 7 3 https://liftblog.com/boyne-highlands-mi/
Michigan Boyne Mountain 6 1 https://liftblog.com/boyne-mountain-mi/
Michigan Caberfae Peaks 1 0 https://liftblog.com/caberfae-peaks-mi/
Michigan Crystal Mountain 0 1 https://liftblog.com/crystal-mountain-mi/
Michigan Indianhead 5 0 https://liftblog.com/indianhead-mi/
Michigan Marquette Mountain 3 1 https://liftblog.com/marquette-mountain-mi/
Michigan Mont Ripley 1 0 https://liftblog.com/mont-ripley-mi/
Michigan Mt. Bohemia 2 0 https://liftblog.com/mt-bohemia-mi/
Michigan Mt. Holly 2 0 https://liftblog.com/mt-holly-mi/
Michigan Nub's Nob 6 0 https://liftblog.com/nubs-nob-mi/
Michigan Pine Knob 2 2 https://liftblog.com/pine-knob-mi/
Michigan Pine Mountain 3 1 https://liftblog.com/pine-mountain-mi/
Michigan Shanty Creek 2 4 https://liftblog.com/shanty-creek-mi/
Minnesota Andes Tower Hills 1 0 https://liftblog.com/andes-tower-hills-mn/
Minnesota Coffee Mill 1 0 https://liftblog.com/coffee-mill-mn/
Minnesota Detroit Mountain 0 1 https://liftblog.com/detroit-mountain-mn/
Minnesota Giants Ridge 3 2 https://liftblog.com/giants-ridge-mn/
Minnesota Lutsen Mountains 5 0 https://liftblog.com/lutsen-mountains-mn/
Minnesota Mt. Ski Gull 1 0 https://liftblog.com/mt-ski-gull-mn/
Minnesota Powder Ridge 1 0 https://liftblog.com/powder-ridge-mn/
Minnesota Welch Village 4 0 https://liftblog.com/welch-village-mn/
Missouri Hidden Valley 4 0 https://liftblog.com/hidden-valley-mo/
Montana Bear Paw 1 0 https://liftblog.com/bear-paw-mt/
Montana Big Sky 1 1 https://liftblog.com/big-sky-resort-mt/
Montana Bridger Bowl 0 5 https://liftblog.com/bridger-bowl-mt/
Montana Great Divide 3 0 https://liftblog.com/great-divide-mt/
Montana Maverick Mountain 1 0 https://liftblog.com/maverick-mountain-mt/
Montana Montana Snowbowl 3 0 https://liftblog.com/montana-snowbowl-mt/
Montana Red Lodge Mountain 3 0 https://liftblog.com/red-lodge-mountain-mt/
Montana Ski Discovery 3 0 https://liftblog.com/ski-discovery-mt/
Montana Turner Mountain 1 0 https://liftblog.com/turner-mountain-mt/
Nevada Mt. Rose 0 2 https://liftblog.com/mt-rose-nv/
New Hampshire Crotched Mountain 2 1 https://liftblog.com/crotched-mountain-nh/
New Hampshire Wildcat 2 2 https://liftblog.com/wildcat-nh/
New Mexico Angel Fire 3 4 https://liftblog.com/angel-fire-nm/
New Mexico Pajarito Mountain 2 0 https://liftblog.com/pajarito-mountain-nm/
New Mexico Red River 2 2 https://liftblog.com/red-river-nm/
New Mexico Sandia Peak 2 0 https://liftblog.com/sandia-peak-nm/
New Mexico Sipapu 1 0 https://liftblog.com/sipapu-nm/
New Mexico Ski Apache 1 4 https://liftblog.com/ski-apache-nm/
New Mexico Ski Santa Fe 1 0 https://liftblog.com/ski-santa-fe-nm/
New Mexico Ski Rio 1 0 https://www.coloradoskihistory.com/lost/nm_skirio.html Lost ski resort.
New York Belleayre 1 0 https://liftblog.com/belleayre-ny/
New York Gore Mountain 0 3 https://liftblog.com/gore-mountain-ny/
New York Song Mountain 3 0 https://liftblog.com/song-mountain-ny/
New York West Mountain 0 1 https://liftblog.com/west-mountain-ny/
New York Whiteface 0 4 https://liftblog.com/whiteface-ny/
North Dakota Bottineau Winter Park 1 0 https://liftblog.com/bottineau-winter-park-nd/
Ohio Boston Mills 1 0 https://liftblog.com/boston-mills-oh/
Ohio Mad River Mountain 1 0 https://liftblog.com/mad-river-mountain-oh/
Ohio Snow Trails 3 0 https://liftblog.com/snow-trails-oh/
Oregon Anthony Lakes 1 1 https://liftblog.com/anthony-lakes-or/
Oregon Cooper Spur 1 0 https://liftblog.com/cooper-spur-or/
Oregon Hoodoo 3 2 https://liftblog.com/hoodoo-or/
Oregon Mt. Ashland 3 0 https://liftblog.com/mt-ashland-or/
Oregon Mt. Bachelor 0 7 https://liftblog.com/mt-bachelor-or/
Oregon Mt. Hood Meadows 2 3 https://liftblog.com/mt-hood-meadows-or/
Oregon Mt. Hood Ski Bowl 4 1 https://liftblog.com/mt-hood-ski-bowl-or/
Oregon Summit Ski Area 1 0 https://liftblog.com/summit-ski-area-or/
Oregon Timberline Lodge 0 6 https://liftblog.com/timberline-lodge-or/
Oregon Willamette Pass 2 4 https://liftblog.com/willamette-pass-or/
Pennsylvania Camelback 1 0 https://liftblog.com/camelback-pa/
Pennsylvania Mt. Pleasant of Edinboro 1 0 https://liftblog.com/mt-pleasant-of-edinboro-pa/
South Dakota Deer Mountain 2 0 https://liftblog.com/deer-mountain-sd/
South Dakota Rushmore Tramway Adventures 1 0 https://liftblog.com/rushmore-tramway-adventures-sd/
South Dakota Terry Peak 0 4 https://liftblog.com/terry-peak-sd/
Tennessee Gatlinburg SkyLift Park 0 2 https://liftblog.com/gatlinburg-skylift-park-tn/
Tennessee Ober Gatlinburg 1 0 https://liftblog.com/ober-gatlinburg-tn/
Utah Brighton 0 4 https://liftblog.com/brighton-ut/
Utah Park City 0 3 https://liftblog.com/park-city-ut/
Vermont Bromley 1 2 https://liftblog.com/bromley-vt/
Vermont Mt. Snow 0 1 https://liftblog.com/mt-snow-vt/
Vermont Okemo 0 2 https://liftblog.com/okemo-vt/
Vermont Stowe 1 2 https://liftblog.com/stowe-vt/
Washington 49 Degrees North 1 0 https://liftblog.com/49-north-wa/
Washington Central Washington State Fair 1 0 https://liftblog.com/sundola-yakima-state-fair-wa/
Washington Crystal Mountain 0 4 https://liftblog.com/crystal-mountain-wa/
Washington Mission Ridge 3 1 https://liftblog.com/mission-ridge-wa/
Washington Mt. Baker 2 5 https://liftblog.com/mt-baker-wa/
Washington Mt. Spokane 5 1 https://liftblog.com/mt-spokane-wa/
Washington Sitzmark 1 0 https://liftblog.com/sitzmark-wa/
Washington Spokane Falls Skyride 0 2 https://liftblog.com/2015/05/26/lift-profile-spokane-falls-skyride/
Washington Stevens Pass 3 5 https://liftblog.com/stevens-pass-wa/
Washington The Summit at Snoqualmie 9 11 https://liftblog.com/the-summit-at-snoqualmie-wa/
Washington White Pass 2 2 https://liftblog.com/white-pass-wa/
Wisconsin Alpine Valley 2 5 https://liftblog.com/alpine-valley-wi/
Wisconsin Bruce Mound 1 0 https://liftblog.com/bruce-mound-wi/
Wisconsin Devil's Head 2 0 https://liftblog.com/devils-head-wi/
Wisconsin Granite Peak 1 4 https://liftblog.com/granite-peak-wi/
Wisconsin Little Switzerland 2 0 https://liftblog.com/little-switzerland-wi/
Wisconsin Wilmot Mountain 0 2 https://liftblog.com/wilmot-mountain-wi/
Wyoming Antelope Butte 2 0 https://liftblog.com/antelope-butte-wy/
Wyoming Grand Targhee 0 1 https://liftblog.com/grand-targhee-wy/
Wyoming Hogadon 1 1 https://liftblog.com/hogadon-wy/
Wyoming Jackson Hole 0 1 https://liftblog.com/jackson-hole-wy/
Wyoming Snowy Range 4 0 https://liftblog.com/snowy-range-wy/
Canada
Location Ski area name Remaining Removed Reference Additional notes
Alberta Castle Mountain 1 0 https://liftblog.com/castle-mountain-ab/
British Columbia Apex 0 1 https://liftblog.com/apex-bc/
British Columbia Cypress Mountain 0 1 https://liftblog.com/cypress-mountain-bc/
British Columbia Kicking Horse 1 0 https://liftblog.com/kicking-horse-bc/
British Columbia Whitewater 0 2 https://liftblog.com/whitewater-bc/

See also

References

  1. Riblet website, retrieved 2012-10-18
  2. Osberger, Madeleine. "Where chairlifts go in their next lives". Aspen Daily News. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  3. Sowder, Douglas (2003-05-13). "To: Our Friends in the Ski Industry". Riblet Tramway Company. Retrieved 2007-01-23.

Sources

Martin J. Wells (December 2005). Tramway Titan: Byron Riblet, Wire Rope and Western Resource Towns. Trafford Publishing, Victoria. ISBN 978-1-4120-5093-7.

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