Clare Ogilvie
Province
One of the gondolas that would be used in the peak-to-peak project at Whistler
WHISTLER — Imagine whizzing along in a sky cab 436 metres above the ground in North America’s longest gondola ride.
For three years the idea has been just a dream. But yesterday Whistler Blackcomb announced that the $51.4-million Peak-to-Peak Gondola will be built between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.
“It will revolutionize the skiing experience at Whistler Blackcomb,” said Stuart Rempel, the company’s senior vice-president of marketing and sales.
Construction on the Doppelmayr 3S gondola, which will span 4.4 kilometres in total distance and include the world’s longest unsupported span, will begin this spring. Total ride time will be 11 minutes. The gondola will be able to carry 4,100 people per hour in its 28 sky cabins, each of which can carry 28 people.
Company officials said there will be an extra “nominal” charge for the lift, due to be finished in December 2008.
Whistler Coun. Nancy Wilhelm-Morden has voiced concerns over the project’s impact on one of Whistler’s most scenic views.
“The view from the village up Fissile Mountain is an iconic view, it is a signature view,” she said.
“[The gondola] is not in any way going to add to the view.”
Peak 2 Peak Ltd, a Whistler Blackcomb subsidiary formed for liability reasons, will build the gondola.
The council recently decided to give Whistler Blackcomb a tax break of up to $200,000 a year for five years to help with construction costs.
As the effects of climate change continue, the Peak-to-Peak will help skiers access the highest slopes.
“We are concerned about climate change, and certainly this lift joins the best skiing pods on both mountains where we have the best-quality snow and the most quantity of snow,” said Rempel.
© The Vancouver Province 2007
