They were operated as Mt Baldy Ski Lifts Inc. and were managed by Herbert Leffler from 1953 until his retirement in 1969.

Thunder Mountain areas serviced by Chair 3 are north-facing, resulting in longer-lasting snow conditions.

Snow on the lower portion of the mountain is typically hard with afternoon softening on north-facing slopes due to brief thaw/shade conditions.

The chair design did not take in account riders' natural instinct to move away from the unloading area quickly.

In 1975 Swiss company GMD Mueller was contracted to upgrade the existing lifts reusing the old towers and to build chairs #2 and #4.