A Challenge to Revolutionize Skiing
In 1935, Union Pacific Railroad’s president, Averell Harriman, envisioned a ski resort that could attract affluent travelers. To make skiing accessible, he challenged the railroad’s engineers to create a device that could lift skiers up a mountain with ease. James Curran, a 33-year-old engineer, took on the task.
Bananas to Mountains
Curran’s inspiration came from an unexpected source: conveyor belts used to load bananas onto ships in Central America. He adapted the concept, imagining a chair suspended from a moving cable that could transport skiers uphill. His early prototypes were tested in the Union Pacific rail yards, using a wooden structure and chairs attached to a moving rope.
The First Chairlift is Built
Curran’s design was implemented at Sun Valley Resort in Idaho, which opened in December 1936. The Proctor Mountain chairlift could carry skiers over 3,500 feet, gaining 1,150 feet in elevation. It featured single wooden chairs, suspended 20 feet above the ground, allowing skiers to ascend without the physical strain of climbing.
A Transformative Invention
The chairlift quickly became a hallmark of ski resorts, revolutionizing the sport by making it accessible to more people. While Curran never profited from his invention, his work remains fundamental to modern skiing, celebrated in the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.
James Curran, an engineer for Union Pacific Railroad, invented the first ski chairlift in 1936. Inspired by conveyor belts used to load bananas onto ships, Curran designed a system where skiers sat on chairs attached to a moving cable, eliminating the need for exhausting uphill… pic.twitter.com/FCpkiYNXsq
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) November 28, 2024