Indy Pass adds a slew of mountains including Loveland, Colorado; Bear Creek, Pennsylvania; Bear Valley, California; Bousquet, Massachusetts; Bruce Mound and Christie Mountain, Wisconsin; Camp Fortune, Massif du Sud and Mont Rigaud, Quebec; Cazenovia and Hunt Hollow, New York; Lost Valley, Maine; and Mt. Holiday and Norway Mountain, Michigan.
After the only bid to replace the Cannon Mountain tramway came in millions more than expected, the State of New Hampshire investigates whether it can reuse existing towers.
Canada’s Competition Bureau to probe whether the Arizona company behind the Jasper SkyTram and Banff Gondola unfairly competes with ski area sightseeing gondolas.
Alterra details its 2024 capital plan, totaling $300+ million with six new chairlifts.
Following yesterday’s announcement of three new lifts this year, Deer Valley also outlines the seven detachable lifts opening in 2025 for a total of 10 in two years (counting the two section gondola as two.)
The operator of Canada’s oldest aerial tramway is looking to the future in the form of a major redevelopment and eight passenger gondola. The Jasper SkyTram opened in 1964 and currently carries 30 riders at a time up Whistlers Mountain from March through October. Built by Pohlig-Heckel-Bleichert of Germany, the tram is approaching the end of its operational and economical life with facilities that no longer meet visitor expectations.
A replacement gondola could run in a more environmentally and geologically sound alignment with all new terminal and tower locations. The bottom station would sit along the Icefields Parkway at significantly lower elevation than the current base. Shortly after departing the valley, gondolas would make a sweeping turn and eventually reach a top terminal with a modern interpretive center, restaurants, trails and barrier-free views. The lift would become one of Canada’s largest, rising nearly 4,000 vertical feet over 2.75 miles. The retired access road, stations and tower locations would be allowed to return to a natural state. New terminals would be accessible for visitors of all abilities and the project would include additional parking, transit and bicycle facilities.
The current stations are neither wheelchair accessible nor capable of handling demand on peak days.
I know first hand the limitations of aerial tramways for today’s visitors and Jasper is not the first location to consider alternatives. Heavenly’s scenic aerial tram was effectively replaced by a gondola in 2000 and Grouse Mountain is considering making a similar move. Gondolas are both comfortable and efficient, offering guests their own cabins and secure seating. Under the proposal, lift capacity would increase from 200 per hour to 950 with less waiting and no need for standing in crowded cars. Gondola technology would also enable year round operation.
The concept is just that and no decisions have been made. The SkyTram Partnership and Parks Canada are seeking public feedback, which can be sent to redevelopment@jasperskytram.com.
The first of many Omega 10 passenger gondola cabins is spotted at Walt Disney World.
Saddleback Mountain Foundation plans to make a second offer for Maine’s third largest ski area, which has been closed for nearly three years.
Santiago, Chile awards the contract for an $80 million, four station urban gondola to Doppelmayr.
The first indoor ski area in the Western Hemisphere plans to open March 1, 2019 with a Doppelmayr CTEC quad chair and platter that were installed back in 2008.
A gondola is one option being considered to improve mobility in Little Cottonwood Canyon, home to Alta, Snowbird and lots of traffic.
Members of Congress from four states pen a letter to the Forest Service asking for Arizona Snowbowl to be reopened or further explanation given as to why its extended closure is necessary.
Doppelmayr scores another project in Canada – a $1.8 million fixed-grip quad with loading carpet at Sugarloaf, New Brunswick.
Rope evacuating 20-25 mountain bikers turns into a four hour affair at Marquette Mountain.
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