1/19/16 | JHMR Announces Construction of New Gondola

(January 19, 2016), Teton Village, WY - Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) is pleased to announce the construction of a new gondola for the 2016/2017 season. Construction will start this spring to be ready for a winter 2016/17 opening. The Sweetwater Gondola will be located between the Bridger Gondola and Teewinot High Speed Quad will have a mid-station approximately a third of the way up the mountain in the Solitude area, then continues up to terminate just uphill of the Casper Restaurant. In total, the new gondola will rise 1,276 vertical feet.

The new Sweetwater Gondola is a significant capital investment, part of a broader and sustained capital investment strategy to ensure a world class experience for Jackson Hole Mountain Resort guests. The new Sweetwater Gondola will also support several specific objectives; to significantly increase out of the base area capacity, and over time to provide access to a new and enhanced children's ski school facility located in the Solitude mid station area. A gondola was chosen as the best conveyance to allow easy and safe uploading and downloading of children for the new children's teaching facility, in addition to parents and family.

"This is an exciting time for JHMR," stated JHMR President, Jerry Blann. "Improving the out of base capacity will greatly enhance skier flow, and the Sweetwater Gondola will dramatically improve the beginner skier and rider experience," noted Blann. The new gondola is being built by Doppelmayr Inc, with an 8-person cabin, the lift will have a capacity of 2,000 people per hour. The 1,276 foot vertical ride will take seven and one half minutes.

"It's not coincidental that we are happy to announce this new lift during our 50th anniversary season," Blann commented, and went on to state, "this is the first in a series of significant capital improvements over the next few years that underscores our commitment to keeping Jackson Hole at the industry leading level we are at today. It also further demonstrates the steadfast commitment to this goal by our ownership family the Kemmerers - and exemplifies how private sector investment can continue to keep our winter economy relevant and robust."