Banff (AB), Canada – Officials at Sunshine Village ski area, within Alberta’s Banff National Park, are spending their summer replacing the resort’s Strawberry lift with a new high-speed quad that served temporary duty during the Olympic Games. The new chairlift is expected to be operational for Sunshine’s 2010-11 ski and snowboard season.nThe Doppelmayr CTEC detachable quad will carry 1,800 guests per hour, with a ride time of only 2.7 minutes. It will replace an existing triple chairlift to provide a second high-speed option on Mount Standish, home to the ski area’s halfpipe.

Work on the new lift began even before the 2009-10 ski and ride season at Sunshine Village ended on Monday. Earlier this month, an industrial-sized helicopter flew dozens of trips to the top of the new lift, delivering concrete to set the foundation for the new lift. Pouring concrete in May allows the heavy top mechanical assembly to be transported over packed snow, avoiding any potential damage to the natural vegetation in the sensitive environmental area.

“This is all zero-impact,” said Dan Markham, of Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine. “Preserving this unique environment is vital, as we’re in the heart of a UNESCO World heritage Site, Banff National Park. Mt. Norquay, The Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village are all noted for their progressive environmental practices. The purchase, reuse and careful installation of this lift represents yet another positive step.”

At 35 years old, the Strawberry triple chair has reached the end of its service life. The new lift was originally used to shuttle Olympic and Paralympic spectators during February’s Games in Vancouver, and will now primarily enhance access to Sunshine Village’s green and blue runs, as well as the halfpipe.