Vail to connect Utah resorts
A high-speed gondola is set to be built to connect two Utah ski resorts and create one of the largest ski areas in the US.
The lift connecting Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons Resort is the key part of $US50 million ($A54.10 million) in investments planned at the two resorts before the 2015/16 ski season. Other plans include making two other lifts bigger and faster, building one new restaurant and upgrading two others, and improving snowmaking.
It will be a transformational makeover that will give skiers and snowboarders a much better experience, Park City Mountain Resort chief operating officer Bill Rock says. The projects are pending approval from city and county officials in Park City.
"Putting the two resorts together has been the vision for a long time," Rock said. "It's great for our company, it's great for Park City, and it's great for Utah skiing."
Vail Resorts bought Park City Mountain Resort in September for $US182.5 million, resolving a messy legal battle between Vail and Powdr Corp that threatened to cancel the ski season. Vail began leasing and operating Canyons in May 2013.
The 2950 combined hectares of skiable terrain will certainly make it among the nation's largest, National Ski Areas Association president Michael Berry said.
Skiers can already buy one ticket and ski both resorts this season. But without a connecting lift, they'll have to take ground transportation to do that.
The makeover is one of the largest investments in Utah ski resorts since Talisker Corp invested about $US75 million over several years in the early 2010s to improve and upgrade Canyons before Vail took over the resort.
It marks yet another significant moment in what has been a big year for the Utah ski industry, which is garnering attention across North America, said Ralf Garrison, a Denver-based ski industry consultant with The Advisory Group. History shows skiers are drawn to new and more combined terrain.
Also in the past year, Deer Valley Resort bought Solitude Mountain Resort and will take it over in 2015. Powdr Corp executive Ian Cumming bought the majority interest of Solitude Mountain Resort. And officials continue to work toward a long-term plan of building chairlifts that would link seven ski areas and give Utah a European-style experience
That plan gets a turbo-charge from the connecting lift at Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons, leaving only two connecting lifts to be planned and built to make the ambitious project a reality, said Nathan Rafferty, president of the trade group Ski Utah.
The new plans help shine the spotlight on Utah, which is vital in a competitive ski industry, Rafferty said.
"Skiers and snowboarders are adventurists, and they are always looking for the next adventure," he said. "People get to pour over the map and plot out how they are going to ski those two mountains together. That's a lot of skiing."
Not everybody in Utah was thrilled about the announcement. Carl Fisher, executive director of Save Our Canyons, said the connecting lift plan is less impactful on the mountain than other proposals. But he said the totality of the projects represents the continuation of a troubling trend of hyper-development of ski mountains that started years ago.
"Skiing is an activity to try and get out and connect with nature, whether it's at the resort or in the backcountry," Fisher said. "This is taking away from its core."
The new gondola will seat eight people and take about nine minutes to get from the Silverlode lift at Park City Mountain Resort to the Flatiron lift at Canyons, Vail officials said. It will include a stop-off point midway at Pine Cone Ridge, where skiers will be able to cruise down two new trails.
It marks the first gondola at the resort since an old one was shut down in 1983.
The combined resorts will be known in the future as Park City Mountain Resort, Rock said. Canyons will be known as Canyons at Park City.
Latest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!