History of the Lift: The Doppelmayr detachable quad at Nakiska, constructed in 1985, stands as a testament to the evolution of the resort. Emerging two years after the installation of the initial three lifts and just a year prior to the Olympic Games, Olympic Express was strategically positioned as a supplementary access point to the mountain. Its primary role was facilitating a convenient entry to the mid-mountain lodge and providing access to racing events originating from the Gold chair. Despite excelling in these aspects, including the ability for skiers to download, the lift falls short when it comes to skiing functionality. Its initiation and termination points are suboptimal, restricting access primarily to the Gold chair and a beginner run down the mountain. Two of its towers rise prominently as they intersect with the Gold chair express. In 2018, a notable alteration occurred with the removal of half the chairs from the line, although the rationale behind this change remains uncertain. Whether these chairs were relocated to the Silver express to enhance capacity is unclear. Olympic usually only functions on weekends and busy holidays, contributing to its status as a less frequented option for skiers.

Description of the Lift: The 1987 Doppelmayr CLD-260 detachable chair, in contrast to the Silver express, lacks windows on its terminals. Spanning a considerable length, the lift is predominantly flat, gaining steepness towards the end after traversing the Gold chair, marked by a prominent depression tower. Originally equipped with 168 chairs, a reduction by half occurred a few years ago, leaving the lift with 25 towers. Operating intermittently, the machine remains in excellent condition, with no apparent plans for replacement in the foreseeable future. The video capturing this lift's unique characteristics was taken on Nakiska's opening day for the 2023/24 ski season, providing a glimpse into the resort's rich history and distinctive lift infrastructure.

Specifications:
Design Speed - 1000 ft/min
Normal Operating Speed ~ 1000 ft/min
Design Capacity - 1300 p/h
Drive - Top
Return - Bottom
Tensioning - Bottom (Hydraulic)
Towers: 25
Chairs: 84

Recorded on November 4, 2023