Then and now: Tram a fixture at Heavenly for decades
In 1963, there was this new tram base plus a double-chair lift at the lodge (left of bottom photo) at the Heavenly Valley parking lot.
In 2012, Heavenly Mountain Resort now has 30 lifts in two states with 97 runs covering 4,800 acres.
— Bill Kingman
The old Tram! I worked there from 72′ till 76′. Lottsa good memories. During the summer season the steakhouse at the top of The Face was a popular place to eat. At the end of the night after the resturaunt was closed the fun began. The last run down to the base with all the employees was a really good time.I’d open up the hatch door that allowed acsess to the roof of the tram car, pull down the ladder and climb up top. We would ride down on the top of the car, breathing in the fresh air as we glided down the steel cable. Safe? no. Fun? yes. There is someone on the city council that might remember doing this. Sorry, I won’t name names.
In 62′ there were 3 chairlifts and 2 rope tows and that was it. Off to the left of the bottom of Gunbarrel were 2 wooden ski jumps. When there was enough snow, the people using either the small or the bigger one would sidestep up and down and pack down the powder with the back of a shovel, same for the landing.
Thanks Bill, Old Long Skiis,(I hope I’m covered under the staute of limitations for putting my riders at risk at midnight riding atop the tram 40 years ago).
I may be wrong on this, but I thought in the original proposal(s) to the Forest Service, that when the Gondola was built, the Tram would eventually be removed. Have wondered about that for years now. I vastly prefer using the tram, and not bothering about the parking, etc., at the Gondola area. I’ve only lived here 40 years (although was here in the 51-2 for the big winter), so missed some of the shenanigans of older days. Seen some though! :-)
The tram was to be removed because of the agreement the TRPA had with all the parties for the gondola project. This was to cut down on VMT’s to the tram and Ca. base lodge. It didn’t turn out that way, so the tram should stay.
Snowbum,
Yes I recall something along those lines in regards to dismanteling the tram . You are correct in that it’s the best way to get up the mountain. Much better parking and a great view of the lake.
The original one with the red cars was designed to hold 25 people which was really cramming them in, that was reduced to 20 passengers. The tram could make the trip in a little over 3 minutes running at 100% power but that was extended to 6 minutes in the hope we would get more life out of it if we went a little slower. Take Care and ride the tram while you can. Old Long Skiis
I worked as an attendant the winter of 77′-78′.
Bill’s first year in charge, I remember they has reprinted the cars a reddish orange and Bill telling Stan Hanson,
“Stanley they painted my cars orange!”
They got repainted that same week. Lift tickets that season were $13 a day.
I rode the apex (where car connects to cable) from bottom to top any a time. An amazing feeling especially going over the first tower.
Anyway one if the old cars is Alpine metal by the refuse center, and one was at the boarding house entrance but now gone. Anyone know where the second car went?
One more Heavenly Valley story and then I’ll drop it, (or maybe not!)It was probably 74′ or 75′. Employee party at the main lodge on a winters night. Every body is dancing and drinking. Even the owner, Hugh Killebrew was on the dance floor in his trademark white turtle neck shirt with a dark coat. The Dj / Bartender turns off the reel to reel tape player and Mr. Killebrew walks over to me and asks me, “What’s the most important thing in your life”? I stammer, “My family and friends, living in Lake Tahoe, my health and of course working here”. The whole time I’m saying this he’s just slowly shaking his head and then he announces “No! The most important thing in life is money, all the rest of it doesn’t matter”.
The music came back on and we kept partyin’. Hugh’s words are still in my head but not with the intended consequences. His advice backfired.
Money is not everything! I was right and he was wrong!
R.I.P,Mr.Killebrew. Old Long Skiis
Dan Wilvers,
The one car that was cut in half ended up in the locations you described. The other one supposedly went to a museum. Where and when I don’t know.
I spent alot of hours standing in the corner of the little red tram car answering skiers questions in the winter and summer vistors questions in the summer months.
Changin the shiv wheels on the 2 cars and the 2 towers and doing all the other maintenence in the off season was alot of greasy, dangerous work. Stopping the car on the first tower(#1) and climbing on it like a monkey?…cazy stuff. 110 feet up in the air and we never used the safety harness, that was for wimps!
I knew if I got started talking about Heavenly Valley, the tram , Killebrew and all the years I spent there I wouldn’t stop.
Sorry for bending your ear. Old LOng Skiis
Those of us who have only been here for 20+ years or so (1984) love to hear the stories from you “old timers”, keep them coming please.
Old long skiis. Thanks for the history lessons on heavenly. Interesting information.
I, too, love the old stories. Tran is the best way to get up the mountain.