Thats because it is, on several levels.
The First Lift is never featured in resort marketing materials.
Thats all fine by the First Lift.
It was built in the 60s, it doesnt need any extra hype or responsibility.
It knows its place.
As the resort has grown theyve had to scratch in more parking lots further and further down the hill.
Now its four long, icy sets of stairs from the lowest lot to the base area.
Then its less than ten minutes back up to the top.
Thats why the First Lift is still here.
But its not just here to help some skiers avoid a hike.
Park crew rakes out a few boxes and jumps under the lift line.
Plenty of firsts go down under those chairs.
First 360s, first slides, first 270s off, even a few first backflips.
That meant folks who couldnt afford a day pass would sometimes come up and just session that First Lift.
Families would teach their kids how to ski on it.
First wedge turns, first hockey stop, first carve, first time following the wiggle through the trees.
And its not just about the skiing.
The First Lift has served as an introduction for so many other things.
Those poorly-padded chairs have played host to plenty of other first as well.
First dates that led to love, to children that will learn to ski here.
First time experiences in the mountains that will help set a lifelong love of winter.
First broken hearts and first season-ending injuries.
This lift builds skiers, builds people.
As another season starts the First Lift groans a little as they fire it up and grease its joints.
The bullwheel grumbles a little under the load, but still turns true.
On the backside theyre clearing and digging and pouring and setting to put in a brand new lift.
People will mourn the chair it replaces.
But here, next to the parking lot the First Lift still spins.
