VAIL, Colo. – Oct. 11, 2012 – The towers for Vail Mountain’s new, state-of-the-art gondola in Vail Village were set today as construction continues in preparation for opening day, Friday, Nov. 16. Nineteen towers were flown in with the help of a CH54 Skycrane helicopter and crews on the ground helped to set and secure the towers in place.
The Leitner-Poma of America gondola is replacing the Vista Bahn Express Lift (#16) and will be the first and fastest of its kind in North America, increasing uphill capacity by 40 percent. The 10-passenger gondola cabins will provide skiers and snowboarders a cozy 7.5 minute ride from the base of Vail Village to Mid-Vail with heated, cushioned seats and Wi-Fi access. The new gondola will have the number “1” to commemorate Vail’s original gondola in that same location and will be operational for opening day of the 2012-2013 ski and snowboard season on Nov. 16, 2012, just in time to celebrate Vail’s 50th anniversary.
###
About Vail Mountain
Quickly approaching its 50th anniversary in December 2012 and coveted as the largest ski resort in the United States with more than 5,000 acres of skiable terrain and seven legendary Back Bowls spanning seven miles, Vail is an extraordinary winter vacation destination. Under blue skies more than 300 days each year and with more groomed terrain than anywhere on the planet, families reconnect and celebrate here from year to year and generation to generation. The vacation experience is world class, from the Vail Ski & Snowboard School to the events, activities and festivals, the shops and spas, abundant culinary experiences and luxurious accommodations. Coupled with the vision inherent in the spirit of Vail’s founders, and a modern day commitment to excellence in all aspects of guest service and operations, Vail can still credibly lay claim to being a resort like nothing on earth. www.Vail.com.
###
About Vail Resorts
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado, and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada, and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com