News Roundup: 7-3

News Roundup: Public Dollars

New Gondola Planned for Canyons Village at Park City

Visitors to Park City’s Canyons Village will soon have a third out-of-base lift option. Today the Canyons Village Management Association board voted to sign a joint funding agreement with Vail Resorts for construction of a new 10 passenger gondola linking the south end of Canyons Village to Red Pine Lodge. Canyons Village has seen immense growth in recent years with new hotels, commercial space and employee housing opening while lift investment lagged. Once the project is complete, Park City skiers will be able to choose between the new Sunrise Gondola, the existing 8 passenger Red Pine Gondola and four passenger Orange Bubble Express chairlift at Canyons Village. The new machine will provide a much-needed out-of-base capacity and create a second downloading option for end-of-day egress.

The 6,512 foot long gondola will replace the Sunrise double and run along an undulating alignment crossing the existing Over and Out quad. 10 passenger cabins will carry riders 1,103 vertical feet between the village and mid-mountain. The bottom terminal will be located near the new Pendry hotel and the top will sit near the Saddleback Express and High Meadow Express lifts.

No manufacturer has been announced but lift equipment is expected to cost $18 million with an additional $9 million non-lift costs. The Canyons Village Management Association will fund up to $9.24 million of the $27 million total, though Vail Resorts will own and operate the gondola. The agreement between the two parties stipulates the new lift is to be completed within 36 months. “Park City Mountain and CVMA are pleased to be moving forward together toward this important future investment,” the two parties said in a statement. “A future gondola will enhance the Canyons Village experience and contribute to the operation of a world-class resort. Today’s CVMA board vote was one step in a process we are excited to continue as we partner to reimagine Canyons Village as a world-class destination.”

Snowbird Debuts Tram Rooftop Balconies

Starting today, anyone over 42 inches tall can ride on the roof of the legendary Snowbird Tram and enjoy unobstructed views of Little Cottonwood Canyon. The first-of-its-kind experience in the United States will cost $20 on top of a tram ticket, which currently runs between $37 and $42. I took a preview ride last night and enjoyed the open views of the carriage, towers and mountains during the trip. In addition to hosting the first public riders on the balconies today, the tram is also carrying the last skiers of the season up Hidden Peak this weekend.

Grouse Mountain in Canada debuted a similar rooftop option on its Garaventa tram in 2016 but it has been closed since Covid. At Snowbird, balconies are certified for up to 14 people but Snowbird plans to start with no more than 11 guests per trip. Riders ascend a staircase within the tram cabin during boarding and stand in a designated L-shaped area while the tram is in motion. Speed and capacity of the tram are limited when the system is in balcony mode. CWA and Garaventa designed a safety gate that is tied into the lift control system to prevent passengers from ascending or descending the staircase while the trip is underway. Cabin operators also have live video feed of the rooftop and Snowbird plans to have an additional operator on the balcony during each trip.

The new balconies, along with glass floor sections, are a summer-only offering and will be removed each winter season. This summer the tram is open 11:00 am to 8:00 pm daily, weather permitting.

News Roundup: No Refunds

Instagram Tuesday: A Canadian First

Every Tuesday, I feature my favorite Instagram photos from around the lift world.

News Roundup: Reimagining