page_title: Magic Mile
section_title: Third chairlift, 1992–present
hierarchical_section_title: Magic Mile / Third chairlift, 1992–present
caption_attribution_description: Modern w:Magic Mile chairlift base terminal and overnight chair storage barn. Mt. Hood Timberline ski area.
context_page_description: The Magic Mile is an aerial chairlift at Timberline Lodge ski area, Mount Hood, Oregon, U.S. It was named for its unique location above the tree line and for its original length. When constructed by Byron Riblet in 1938, it was the longest chairlift in existence, the second in the world to be built as a passenger chairlift, and the first to use metal towers.
  The chairlift has been replaced twice, in 1962 and 1992.
  Like its predecessors, the current chairlift loads near the lodge at 5,950 feet and unloads at 7,000 foot, up an average gradient of 20%. Except for the very lowest part of the route, the lift is not protected by trees or land features and faces the full force of snow storms. Heavy winds frequently produce huge snowdrifts and copious and dense snow challenge lift crews to keep the lift open. The lift is generally closed when winds exceed 50-60 mph or dense fog reduces visibility below about 25 feet — in all, about 40% of winter days.
context_section_description: In 1992, the Magic Mile chairlift was upgraded from a fixed grip double to a detachable high speed quad. The midway station was removed, and a new top station built slightly higher than its predecessor, lengthening its run to 5,500 feet (1,700 m).
  This Poma-built chair can move 3,000 passengers per hour, but is operated at 1,600 passengers per hour, with a ride time of just under 6 minutes.
  The use of a detachable chairlift reduces maintenance needed to clear the haul rope.  When bad weather is expected, the chairs are removed and stored in the lower lift house.  The rope runs at low speed to prevent the buildup of snow and ice.  The chairs are redeployed in an automatic operation which takes about 30 minutes.
caption: The Magic Mile's lower terminal sits just below the tree line.
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