Jackson – in its quest to become the ultimate ski resort, including catering for families – has upgraded the capacity of its Sweetwater triple chair and Eaglesrest chair to a 8-person Dopplemayr gondola that replaces both lifts. There has been whisperings these past few years of long lines at the lifts at Jackson Hole, and the resort is taking action. The new Sweetwater gondola services mainly beginner and intermediate terrain running from the base to Casper Lodge, and should significantly reduce congestion from the village.
Stats:
- Size: 1276 feet from the base to Casper lodge
- Capacity: 2,000 people per hour
- Increases out-of-base capacity by 1/3
Nobody likes waiting in line on a powder day, especially long time Jackson locals who come to the mountain to charge laps. Much of the lift congestion is not powderhounds themselves, but families on vacation looking to ski mellow terrain. The new gondola is a step in the right direction, allowing everyone to move a little faster and get more laps rather than lines. Recently, Jackson has been dedicated to dispersing crowds, with two new lifts in the since 2015. Whether its a one-day or a season pass, Jackson is expensive; however, skiers at JHMR demand a high quality product, and this demand will push the mountain to greater heights in the future.
