First Peak to Peak cabins take flight

September 26, 2008

Whistler Blackcomb’s record-breaking $52 million Peak to Peak Gondola project is in the homestretch on its road to becoming a Canadian icon.

On Friday (Sept. 19), 12 of the 28 sky cabins made their first journey along the 4.4-kilometre-long cables that span the Fitzsimmons Valley. On hand to ensure the safety of the cabins was Doppelmayr employee Mathias Zudrell, who rode the carriage of the first gondola across to perform visual checks of the gondola’s mechanism.

Once in full operation, the cabins will take 11 minutes to travel from one mountain to another, with a cabin leaving the terminal every 49 seconds.

“We’ve always been bold at Whistler Blackcomb; we’ve always been a leader in our industry and I think this just takes us that next level,” said Whistler Blackcomb President Dave Brownlie, who spoke confidently of the tourism boost Whistler will see from the gondola in both winter and summer seasons.

“I think what we’ve created here is a tourism icon for both Canada and British Columbia and something that will differentiate Whistler from our competition around the world.

“It will access new demographic markets. People will have to come here; it will be a must-see, must-do experience.”

Councillor Bob Lorriman also spoke positively about the impact the new gondola will have on Whistler tourism.

“The fact that there is no other lift like this in the world, it’s phenomenal,” he said. “To have that in our backyard will drive more tourism to Whistler… Not only will it benefit the long-term winter product that we have, but also the summer tourism.”

Lorriman emphasized that Council did not give Whistler Blackcomb money for the Peak to Peak Gondola, as some residents have been led to believe.

“We’re giving them a tax exemption,” he said, referring to Whistler Blackcomb’s request for a tax exemption on the two gondola buildings at the beginning of the project.

“It’s not like we gave them any money. We just said won’t start collecting for five years and in return, we drive many more incremental tourist visits here, to be seeing as much as $600,000 a year in additional property tax.”

While construction struggled in the early months of spring as a result of large amounts of snow that had to be removed, the project is now ahead of schedule. On Thursday (Sept. 18), Brownlie announced the date of the grand opening of the gondola on Friday, Dec. 12.

Details on what the opening will comprise of are still being worked on, said Brownlie, but he did say that the day is “definitely going to be a celebration.”

“We’re looking at getting some very important people here to help celebrate,” he said.

Brownlie also wouldn’t commit to the selection of who would receive the first ride across the valley.

“There are 28 cabins, and 28 first rides,” he said.

Of the 28 sky cabins, two have glass floors, allowing travellers the chance to see unhindered, breathtaking views from a height of 436 metres above Fitzsimmons Creek.

Prices for the Peak to Peak Gondola have been built into the cost of a daily lift ticket, which has yet to be determined, but season pass holders will have the option to purchase unlimited use of the gondola for $89, or pay $7 per daily use.