Poma Lift 1960

The Poma Lift was built in 1960 because there was growing enthusiasm for skiing in the area. It began near the lodge and continued two-thirds of the way up Red Mountain. The location of the Poma Lift increased the skiing terrain on Red Mountain as it opened up gentler slopes for beginner skiers. It required lots of maintenance and would break down frequently. Eventually, it was torn down. 

Poma Lift, circa 1963-1964. Photo was taken by Pat Archibald

The Poma lift was the only lift where the operator had control over when to send the skier on his or her way by pulling the lever to let the hanger grab onto the cable. So you would have time to make sure the skier was ready for “takeoff”. To get on the lift you stood in the track and put the hanger pipe between your legs with the disc behind your bum, without sitting down, ready for the lever to be pulled to pull you up the hill…. [I]t was helpful to have 2 operators on hand when we had a derailment every so often when a skier would fall being towed up and let the hanger fly jumping the cable off of the sheave wheels. It was easier with 2 to get the cable lifted back on.

– Richie Mann, Poma Lift Operator (in the 1960s), July 2022