Industry News
The Jackson Town Council this week unanimously approved a new gondola at a Jackson, WY ski resort, following years of back and forth over the resort’s master plan. The plan’s proposal for a zip-line was tabled.
Snow King Mountain Resort, referred to as ‘The Town Hill’ by Jackson locals, plans to build a gondola from a base in Phil Baux park up to the mountain’s summit, replacing the current 40-year-old summit lift. The proposed base of the gondola was expected to be a sticking point in negotiations with the town. Phil Baux Park is extremely valuable to the community as a public space that also serves as a ballfield, concert venue, and site for the People’s Market.
The plan would see Snow King pay $3,000 every month for the use of the Phil Baux Park. The resort was originally asking to add a planetarium, a mountain sports complex, and a zip line, among other things. All together the projects would cost about $26 million over the next few years, and resort General Manager Ryan Stanley said it wouldn’t cost the town a dime. The Snow King summit aims to be a ‘can’t miss’ experience in Jackson Hole.
With a fraction of the number of skier days that neighboring Jackson Hole Mountain Resort sees, Stanley said updates are aimed at keeping Snow King solvent while benefiting both locals and visitors. Snow King can’t accomplish either goal with what the resort currently offers, Stanley said.
“We’re not gonna change the ballgame in some major way with skiing here. We’re gonna forever be a small community ski hill. But what we can do is have some nice amenities that are modern.”
– Ryan Stanley
