If you spend enough time in the ski biz you will hear people talking 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 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 coming down Mountain Run 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 minets 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 days of skiing in your life.
MARTE – Wind, snow, rain, low visibility just about anything will close Ts Marte. Last season the Marte was closed for over a month.
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 much 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 run after run. So it really comes down to what kind of skier you are and what you are looking for.
8 responses so far ↓
1 ShaneTF // Jul 9, 2007 at 1:51 am
sweet review!
2 Joe Marty // Jul 9, 2007 at 6:57 pm
I would agree. KT is the best chairlift on the planet. Hands Down.
Love the site’s keep it up!
3 Adam's Dad // Jul 10, 2007 at 9:50 am
If your review was split between “the Skiing” and “the Machine”, it sounds clear that LL has the former & Squaw has the latter.
4 Marcia Konrad // Jul 10, 2007 at 2:29 pm
I guess that I won’t be skiing on either run
5 Tim // Jul 11, 2007 at 7:52 pm
KT’s has a deserving reputation, but Marte is in a class of it’s own. Marte may not give you the Finger Diving cliffs, BUT…you could fit all of KT’s terrain into a tiny little corner of what Marte gives you.
Though it sucks when it’s closed (lengthy sometimes) it’s unrivaled when it’s open.
Thanks for the vids! Enjoy your time down South. Can’t wait to return in September.
6 Devon // Jul 12, 2007 at 4:43 pm
…and you get to ski both in one year, lucky bastard.
7 Mark // Jul 15, 2007 at 12:12 am
not even close marte hands down and the people are actually friendly at LL.
8 Maelo // Apr 28, 2008 at 1:24 am
yo nice review, jajaaj yep kt!! kt!! kt!!! nothing like south american powder and terrain!!!! !!!
but i see no chile shit on this ???
it sems is just argentina ????
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