March 10th, 2010 | 
Author: Fifty million dollars and a year and a half later, December 2008 marks the opening of Whistler’s Peak to Peak Gondola.
This behemoth boasts the highest and longest unsupported horizontal lift span in the world. It’s the only gondola of its kind in North America; no other ski resort runs a suspended horizontal lift connecting mountain tops. The addition of the Peak to Peak Gondola also puts Whistler in the record books for the longest continuous lift system in the world.
It sounds huge, but how huge is it?
Peak to Peak Gondola by the Numbers:
- 28 cabins with the capacity for 28 guests
- 11 minute journey time
- 24 feet/second speed
- 4,100 passengers/hour capacity
- 49 second wait time between cabin departures
- 4.4 kilometres total journey distance
- 1400 feet above valley bottom
- 3.024 kilometres of unsupported span
If the height and speed don’t get your adrenaline pumping, a glass-bottomed cabin might! Two of the 28 cabins will allow visitors to simulate the experience of floating above the valley floor.
Peak to Peak Gondola access is included with multi-day Whistler lift tickets. Edge Cards and some Whistler passes will require holders to pay an extra fee for Peak to Peak Gondola access.
How will the Peak to Peak Gondola Change the Way You Ski Whistler?
Dining at the Roundhouse (on Whistler) and skiing Seventh Heaven (on Blackcomb) can happen in the same day. You’ll access more terrain at higher altitudes, quicker and easier. Double the high alpine powder will be at your fingertips.
Skiing earlier and later in the season will be more enjoyable as it becomes much easier to avoid snowless patches, closed runs or time-wasting gondola downloads. Poor snow seasons or snow recession due to global warming will have a minimized effect on Whistler resort with skiers able to ski the tops all day.
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Devon O’Malley is a staff writer for AlluraDirect.com - a vacation rentals website offering powerful search and instant booking features. View over 500 Whistler accommodation options that can be booked directly with owners to avoid middle agent fees and charges. AlluraDirect is offering an early bird discount Whistler lift tickets special where you’ll save up to 30% and kids ski free! All lift tickets include access to the Peak to Peak Gondola when it opens in December 2008. Reserve your tickets by November 15, 2008 to lock in the lowest rates! Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Devon_O'Malley |
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Posted in Ski Resorts