The Highlands to install high-speed Doppelmayr D-Line bubble chairlift

The Highlands plans to install a six-person, high-speed Doppelmayr D-Line bubble chairlift to open for the 2023/24 winter season. This is the first lift of its kind in the Midwest.

“We’re coming full circle in lift innovation from the world’s first bubble chairlift in 1963, to the Midwest’s first modern bubble lift with unrivaled guest comfort, speed, energy efficiency, and safety in 2023,” said Mike Chumbler, president and general manager of The Highlands. “This will be the most kid-friendly and safest lift ever built,” he added. “The addition of Camelot 6 will transform the guest experience on the southern end of our slopes for all levels of skiers and riders.”

Equipped with the most advanced safety features in North America, Camelot 6 features the first fully automatic safety bar system in the U.S., including auto closing and auto opening mechanisms, in addition to auto locking and a height-adjustable loading carpet conveyor.

Riders will be treated to ultra-comfort with the D-Line’s heated, extra wide seats that are ergonomically designed, plus individual footrests. A tinted, weatherproof bubble keeps passengers warm and protected from elements while being whisked on a whisper-quiet three-minute ride up the slopes, the fastest in the Midwest at 6m/s.

Camelot 6 is replacing three existing triple-place lifts – Camelot, Valley, and MacGully – and will extend to the top of Upper Camelot slope. This new D-Line six-person bubble chairlift allows for quicker access to a variety of scenic and popular terrain, more convenient access for day and evening visitors with its proximity to the resort’s Day Lodge portal, and will also serve as the primary lift for summer chairlift rides and expanding mountain biking operations. The Camelot run itself will also be extensively regraded to allow progressing beginners to confidently utilize this transformative lift.

Camelot 6 is one of a number of significant investments outlined in The Highlands’ Transformational Journey, a vision plan guiding resort growth with an array of dramatic new offerings and amenity enhancements through the year 2030. For additional information on Camelot 6 and the 2030 Transformational Journey, visit highlandsfuture.com.