The warm weather has wrecked havoc for most gondolas in B.C. this winter.
But in Squamish, where a new “Sea to Sky Gondola” in Stawamus Chief Provincial Park has been under construction for nearly a year, it’s been a blessing.
“We had expected to lose total access to the summit by about the middle of November with snowpack,” said John Smyth, the project foreman. “The good news is this is a one in 40 year weather cycle, but the good news for us it’s been a great building season.”
Global News was given a test trip up the 1.9 kilometre gondola, which is slated to open to the public in May. Tickets will cost $34.95 for an adult day pass, and $89.95 for a family of four.
“Every single person we’ve brought up…has had the same comment. They’re absolutely amazed and didn’t know it was there,” says Jayson Faulkner, the gondola co-owner.
Building it has been a construction challenge, as each tower had to be helicoptered in piece by piece.
A lodge and restaurant accommodating 500 people is also being built at the top of the gondola. The timber for it had to be trucked up an old logging road that comes in from the back.
Announcement of the project attracted controversy last year, when the Wilderness Committee criticized the lack of public consultation. The overall project has been budged at $22 million.
Comments