title: Ski Lift International
text: # Ski Lift International
  
  Ski Lift International (SLI) was an aerial lift manufacturer based out of Incline Village, Nevada. SLI was established in 1965 by co-founders Samuel G. Bonasso and Joseph Sugarman, with Bonasso as its first president. The company built 46 lifts, mainly double chairlifts, from 1965 until 1973. SLI had a prototype gondola and triple chair, but it is unlikely that these designs were ever used. SLI chairlifts can still be seen at ski areas such as Catamount Ski Area. The company was known for inventing the first maintenance-free bail chair, well before competitors such as Riblet or Hall. SLI shipped pre-welded towers and terminal parts to the ski areas, avoiding welding on site. SLI was purchased by Riblet Tramway Company in 1973. Since then more and more of these lifts have been removed due to mechanical failures or the need for higher capacity. These lifts are currently very rare and are still rapidly disappearing from the earth.
  
  ## List of SLI lifts still standing
  
  Alpine Slide-Big Bear Lake, California double
  
  Bryce Resort, Virginia A Double
  
  Sapphire Valley, North Carolina A Lift Double
  
  Bryce Resort, Virginia B Double
  
  Diamond Peak, Nevada Ridge Double
  
  Iron Mountain, California (CLOSED) - Chair 1 (Double)
  
  Iron Mountain, California (CLOSED) - Chair 2 (Double)
  
  June Mountain, California 4 Double
  
  June Mountain, California 2 Double
  
  Aspen Mountain, Colorado Shadow Mountain Double
  
  Wolf Ridge, North Carolina A Double
  
  Telluride, Colorado 7 Coonskin Double
  
  Telluride, Colorado Oak Street Double
  
  49 Degrees North, Washington 2 Grubstake Double
  
  49 Degrees North, Washington 3 Payday Double
  
  Teton Pass, Montana Chairlift Double
  
  Bighorn, Wyoming Beginner Double
  
  Heavenly, Nevada World Cup Double
  
  Wolf Creek, Colorado Nova Double
  
  Blacktail Mountain, MT Crystal Double (former C-5 at Crystal Mountain, WA)
  
  Ober Gatlinburg, TN Blue Double
  
  Mountain Run, Virginia (CLOSED) - Double
  
  