Two legends of Haliburton County have been retired after a combined 97 years of wintertime service to the Highlands community.
The ‘Red Rocket’ and ‘Eagle View’ chairlifts at Sir Sam’s Ski/Ride were dismantled over the summer, closing the book on the story of the facility’s two oldest conveyers. David Bishop, whose family founded the local recreation hub that he now manages, said the machines had been used sparingly in recent years.
The Red Rocket, installed in 1971, ran only once over the past two seasons, during the busy Family Day long weekend in 2024. The Eagle View was operational last season, but wasn’t busy, Bishop said.
“I think it was time – both lifts have been around for a lot of years, so it is a very bittersweet moment saying goodbye. I wouldn’t say there were tears, but a few moments of reflection for sure, just knowing what they meant to so many people – particularly the Red Rocket,” Bishop said.
“When I was 16, my very first summer job was painting the Red Rocket.
“Lots of memories, lots of great times – but the reality is, there’s only so much you can do with these machines once they get up there in age. They do have a shelf life,” he added.
Bishop said the decision to close the lifts was made earlier this year by a new modernization committee, which he said is looking to make improvements at Sir Sam’s.
One of this summer’s jobs was recommissioning the upper tunnel and pony lifts, which Bishop said was vital for improving hill access and beginner training. The upper tunnel, constructed in 2009, once again offers a protected route to the top of the hill, while the pony lift supports novice skiers. In total, Bishop said there will be five lifts in use this coming season.
The support poles that held up the Red Rocket have been chopped down, meaning the hill will be safer for skiers. Bishop said it will also be easier for staff to move and pack down snow from its snowmaking machines.
While Bishop said Sir Sam’s has a higher uphill capacity this year, due to the upgrades, he noted there are plans to install a brand-new chairlift.
“The question is when and where… there’s no timeframe at this point, but within the next couple of years would be lovely,” Bishop said, noting it will serve the busy side of the hill facing the chalet.
People interested in owning a piece of local history can purchase one of about 100 Red Rocket or Eagle View chairs, which are available for $1,000 if they have legs, or $750 without. Bishop said he’s planning to keep one of the Red Rocket chairs for a memorial he hopes to install at the top of the hill next spring.
With winter right around the corner, Bishop said things are ramping up at Sir Sam’s. There have been new hydrants and underground piping installed to help with snowmaking, which Bishop said means he won’t have to close any runs this season. He’s hoping to open the weekend of Dec. 13-14.
“As snow farmers, we are completely tied to the weather. The first year, in 1965, we were opening on Christmas Day and on Christmas Eve it was raining. Even back then, you didn’t know what you had and it’s even less predictable today,” Bishop said. “We need temperatures below -4 Celsius to make the snow and about 14 days of consistent cold weather to get everything ready.”
