A new Gondola in Park City’s future?

A few days ago, I heard on the radio that a new gondola was in the work to ease some of the base congestion at Canyons Village at Park City. 

Huge lines have created big problems during peak periods as users only had two lifts to hoist them up the mountain there: The Red Pine gondola and the Orange Bubble chair. Well this may change in a not-too-distant future as Park City’s Canyons Village plan to offer a third out-of-base lift option. 

Last week, 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 completed, Park City skiers will be able to choose between a new 10 passenger Sunrise gondola, the existing 8 passenger Red Pine gondola and the Orange Bubble high-speed quad to get higher up in the mountain from Canyons Village. 

The new lift will provide a much-needed out-of-base alternative and create a second downloading option for end-of-day skiers return. The 6,512 foot long gondola will replace the Sunrise double-chair and will cross over the existing Over and Out quad. 

Just like the Red Pine gondola, the planned lift will whisk skiers 1,103 feet up to mid-mountain at a rate of 3,000 skier per hour . 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. 

While no manufacturer has been announced yet, this new lift may cost $18 million with an additional $9 million related building costs. The Canyons Village Management Association will fund up to $9.24 million of the $27 million total and Vail Resorts will own and operate the gondola. 

The agreement between the two parties stipulates that the new lift is to be completed within the next 3 years. It’s not for next season, but sure is one step in the right direction!