Industry News
Alta ski area in Utah revealed an improvement plan that includes a tram to the top of 11,068-foot Mt. Baldy. The plan also includes replacing the Albion, Sunnyside, Wildcat, Cecret, and Supreme lifts. A new lift, “Flora”, from Sugarbowl to top of Collins lift. All in all, Alta is proposing 12 projects to be completed in 5 years.
“This latest set of proposals is based on 10 years of study and conversation. It reflects Alta being a mature ski area figuring out some of our fine-tuning.” – Connie Marshall, Alta’s spokesperson
See full proposal here:
Alta Improvement Projects
***
ALTA IMPROVEMENT PLAN HIGHLIGHTS:
- Albion/Wildcat base parking.
- Tram from Germania Pass to the top of Mt. Baldy.
- GazEx or other equivalent technologies to replace artillery and avalauncher.
- Replacement of Albion and Sunnyside lifts.
- Replacement of Cecret and Supreme lifts.
- Replacement of Wildcat lift.
- Flora lift from bottom of Sugarbowl to the top of Collins lift.
- Supreme terrain work.
- Alf’s restaurant building addition.
- Watson Shelter building addition.
- Equipment storage facility.
- Lake restoration at the top of Glory Hole.
A tram to top Mt Baldy..
What?!! Are you crazy?
Having been a member of the National Ski Patrol ( even though it was on a ‘wee bump’ in Massachusetts), I find this proposal to be reckless and irresponsible. The old adage “If you build it , they will come” has merit here of a negative note.
I have “collected” more ‘sportsters’ who were “in over their heads” due to poor decisions; either due to their own inflated assessment of their athletic ability or belief in their friend’s ability to think rationally on their behalf.
Add to the mix: Can’t, won’t, don’t read directions.
The result: You get a lot of people who are where they have no business being.
They get wrecked. They put their rescuers at risk. Friends and family suffer the consequences.
It’s an expensive ticket:
Advertising: ‘Latest, Greatest Show on Earth’!
Construction. (State funded?)
Disruption of wildlife and water quality.
Life threatening injuries.
Insurance. (Not to worry. The resort has insurance. They always ‘settle’ to
get adverse publicity out of the limelight.
Regarding avalanche management: Lame excuse. Improve your marks-manship or a do a fly-by in an armed helicopter. Bad weather for flying? Shut ‘er down!
Linda Walthers, Maine
Improve/replace the old lifts, but retain the earn-your-turns element for Baldy!
The Baldy chutes are hardly open as it is. How does putting a tram up there make any sense?
So, in a nutshell, Alta’s proposed improvement plan is to become Snowbird?