Where to Ski And Snowboard - Work starts on new Steamboat gondola

Work starts on new Steamboat gondola

24th May 2019, by Abi Butcher

The new gondola at Steamboat will transport 38% more skiers per hour

Work is to begin soon on a new gondola for Steamboat in Colorado, a project that will cost $15 million. The Doppelmayr gondola will upgrade the existing gondola that runs from the ski resort’s base to Thunderhead (2770m), reducing the ride time and increasing capacity.

The old gondola in the Colorado ski resort takes 12 minutes and carries 2,600 per hour, but following this summer’s upgrade, the new, faster gondola ride will be less than 10 minutes. An extra 12 cabins will be added to the system, increasing from 125 to 137 (all new), overall increasing the uphill capacity by 38 per cent.

The new eight-person gondola will also have new drives, brakes, line equipment and top-station bull wheel, along with new towers — and is expected to take nine months to build. The money is part of an investment pledge by Alterra Mountain Company, which now owns the ski resort.

Rob Perlman, president and chief operating officer for Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation said: “Everyone knows the gondola is the main lift out of the base area, and having a new, high speed, state of the art transportation system will be a noticeable improvement not only in the winter on Champagne Powder snow mornings, but also during the summer with our popular sunset happy hours.”