Recently, Vail Resorts unveiled plans for a $50 million upgrade to Park City Mountain Resort for the 2015-2016 season. Application for these plans was recently submitted to both the city of Park City and Summit County.
The upgrades include combining Park City Mountain Resort with Canyons Resort. The two resorts would be connected by a high-speed, two-way gondola and would create the largest ski area in the United States, with a total of more than 7,300 ski-able acres.
The efforts to combine the two ski areas will also include other major improvements at PCMR, which Vail Resorts acquired only a few months ago following a three-year dispute surrounding PCMR’s failure to file the paperwork required to renew its land lease.
Here’s a look at the proposed upgrades and additions:
The Interconnect Gondola – The biggest change included in the overall plan will be the installation of the eight-passenger, high-speed gondola that will connect Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons. This gondola takes skiers and snowboarders from PCMR’s Silverlode Lift to Canyons’ Flatiron Lift.
Upgrade of PCMR lifts – The plans include an upgrade to King Con from a four-person to a six-person high-speed lift. The Motherlode lift is slated to be upgraded from a three-person lift to a four-person high-speed lift.
Restaurant Renovations – A new restaurant will be built at the base of the new Interconnect Gondola and will seat 500 guests. The current Snow Hut restaurant will be demolished and replaced. Additionally, there are plans upgrade Summit House and Red Pine Restaurant to seat more people and better serve their guests.
Snowmaking and Other Improvements – Increased snowmaking capabilities are planned, as well as the widening of some of the trails to compensate for the projected increase in skier traffic. In addition, $5 million will be spent on other maintenance projects at Park City Mountain Resort.
All of the improvements are slated to occur during the spring and summer, and if there are no delays or other problems, they should be completed in time for the start of the next ski season.
