Loveland Ski Area is one step closer to opening day at its newest chairlift. Crews this week were splicing cable for the upgraded Chair 7 at Loveland Valley, and they were doing it the old-school way – by hand with gloves and power tools. This extra-large three-chair replaces the old, slow two-seater, giving newcomers quicker – and roomier – access to the bunny slopes. “The new fixed-grip chair, built by Leitner-Poma, will replace the original 42-year-old double chair and will increase uphill capacity,” Loveland writes in a statement. Local ski resorts were unusually quiet this summer in terms of lift installation.