If you spend enough time in the ski biz you will hear people talk about the “best chair lift in the world”. When this conversation arises two chairlifts are always mentioned. KT-22 (Squaw Valley) and Ts MARTE (Las Lenas). Both lifts provide access to some of the best terrain on the planet but which is better?
Since these two chair lifts are located on two different continents and reside at two very different resorts we should really evaluate them on some basic categories.
Terrain:
KT-22 – The terrain off KT is some of the best in North America. Steeps, chutes, glades, cliff drops, groomers, you name it KT has it. KT is also home to The Fingers, a small slice of Alaska type terrain located directly under the lift.
MARTE – With hundreds of chutes descending in all directions the terrain of Ts Marte will scare even the most seasoned skiers. This combined with hike accessible terrain that is usually only found in Heil-ski operations Ts Marte is the ideal playground for adrenaline junkies.
Winner: MARTE
Vertical Drop:
KT-22 – With a vertical drop of 1,500 feet, most KT runs are short but sweet.
MARTE - No matter what direction you take your legs will be burning by the time you reach the bottom.
Winner: MARTE
Accessibility:
KT-22 – Rising up from the base of the mountain, KT is in a prime location. All skier traffic passes right by its loading dock yet it is still only a short walk from the parking lot.
MARTE – A trip to the base of the Marte requires two connecting chairlifts, which will take you 20-40 minuets depending on the line.
Winner: KT-22
Reliability:
KT-22 – Once KT opens for the season it is almost a sure thing that it will be running on a daily basis. If you are lucky enough to hit KT on a storm day you will be blessed with one of the best ski days of your life.
MARTE – Wind, snow, rain, low visibility just about anything will close Ts Marte. During the 2006 season the Marte was closed for over a month; straight.
Winner: KT-22
Up Hill Capacity:
KT-22 – High Speed Quad
MARTE – Standard Double
Winner: KT-22
THE VERDICT
These two chairs are VERY different. The Marte provides access to skiing that is by far and away crazier then anything that you can find off KT. That being said, KT provides reliable access to super fun terrain that can be skied day after day. So it really comes down to what kind of skier you are and what you are looking for.
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5 responses so far ↓
1 Kevin D. // Oct 29, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Solid review……
2 Not Telling // Oct 30, 2007 at 10:13 am
Well most of us don’t get to ski both — you lucky a-hole.
3 your hero // Nov 11, 2007 at 3:45 pm
K2 is the shiznit and you know it
4 Squaw Valley KT-22 Ski Runs - Dogpile Web Search // Jan 22, 2008 at 10:25 am
5 bill // Sep 26, 2008 at 1:29 am
The difference is that the KT-22 lift is flat in comparison. Slow old Marte gains vertical at nearly the same rate as the speedy KT-22. As far as accessibility, the runs that return to Marte (and don’t require other lifts) _exceed_ KT. In my travels, it is clear that Marte is the best lap chair in the world. The amount of other terrain accessible from it is absolutely boggling! It does have its frustrating down days though….
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