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Peak 2 Peak Gondola
By far the highlight of the day's events was the appearance of Team Redbull who staged a base jump off the gondola right in the middle of the Fitzsimmons Valley. Pro skier and base jumper Shane Mconkey admitted he had planned to jump off the cabins since the inception of the Peak 2 Peak some years ago.
The Peak 2 Peak breaks several lift system records including the longest distance to the ground (436m) and the longest span between lift towers (3.024km). The gondola uses Doppelmayr’s 3S design, supporting the entire weight of the cables and cabins over just four towers with two on each mountain. There are a total of 28 cabins (2 with glass observation decks) with a capacity of 28 riders each. The cabins cross the valley at a speed of 7.5 metres per second allowing a rider capacity of 2050 people per hour each way. With the trip across the valley taking just 11 minutes, the Peak 2 Peak is an engineering feat.
Whistler Blackcomb CEO Dave Brownlie speaking at the Launch Day ceremonies
In a press release, Whistler Blackcomb CEO Dave Brownlie admitted this world class achievement had not been without its challenges and definitely not short of its sceptics. “From the beginning, I have felt that this project defines us. This is what we are all about – experiencing the mountains and pushing the envelope. My standard answer to the critics’ questions is ‘why shouldn’t we do it?”
The concept of linking two of North America’s greatest vertical rise mountains has surely crossed the minds of anyone skiing Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Everyone has thought about skiing the best of both areas- Whistler Peak to Spanky’s Ladder? Now you can without the time-consuming ski-out and upload time. Want breakfast at Dusty’s and aprčs at Merlins? The longest continuous lift system in the world - the Peak 2 Peak Gondola - brings endless possibilities.
The Peak 2 Peak cabins crossing over the Emerald Chair on Whistler Mountain
But the advantages of the link aren’t limited to advanced skiers and riders. Blackcomb Mountain’s trail system is set out more for intermediate to advanced skiers with the exception of the base learning area. This can have patchy snow cover in both early and late season conditions. With the Peak 2 Peak Gondola link now in place, beginners can go straight from the Magic Chair in the North Village to the Emerald chair area on Whistler rather than negotiating Blackcomb’s maze of intermediate trails.
Park riders will also reap the benefits. Both the mountains have world-class terrain parks catering for different ability levels. Whistler Blackcomb terrain park supervisor Brian Finestone is more than happy with the new accessibility. “With this lift, a rider can work his or her way up from the small boxes and hits of an easier park to the massive tables and kinked rails of the expert park... on opposite mountains.”
Seats on the much sought after first cabin to cross the valley on the Peak 2 Peak were given away in a charity auction. The rides following were given to distinguished community members of Whistler, Canadian ski celebrities such as Olympian Nancy Greene and free skiing pioneer Mike Douglas and other outstanding mountain employees.For the day of the launch, British Columbia’s coastal weather checked in to bring some much needed snow. While having more open terrain than any other resort in the region, many runs remain closed while Whistler Blackcomb’s snow makers work around the clock to prepare for the busy holiday period. The 10cm received during the day was much appreciated by both locals and holiday makers.
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