Jackson Hole finalizes plan for new aerial tramway to open in 2008

Jackson Hole finalizes plan for new aerial tramway to open in 2008TETON VILLAGE, Wyoming — Jackson Hole Mountain Resort officials announced Wednesday that the resort will build a new 100-passenger aerial tramway to replace the current 40-year-old tram that will shut down permanently Oct. 1.

The new tram will rise 4,139 vertical feet from the Teton Village base to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain, the longest continual vertical rise of any ski lift in North America.

“I am very proud of our company leading this two-and-a-half year process to a successful conclusion,” said JHMR President Jerry Blann. “This outcome would not have been possible without our dedicated owners, the Kemmerer family and our board of directors. They deserve recognition for their commitment to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Teton County and the state of Wyoming.”

JHMR has contracted with Doppelmayr/CTEC to construct the new Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Aerial Tram and anticipates a scheduled opening in December 2008. Preliminary discussions are taking place with the Forest Service regarding approvals required for the replacement of the tram. With an increased capacity of 100 passengers per cabin, the uphill capacity will increase to more than 600 passengers an hour, pending Forest Service approval. Carney Architects, a local Jackson Hole firm, is developing concepts for bottom and top terminal enclosures.

“When we bought the resort we knew it needed investment and were prepared for that, but the tram replacement has taken a lot of deep thinking to resolve,” said JHMR owner John Kemmerer III. “Our family considers Jackson Hole Mountain Resort an integral part of this incredible community, and we feel privileged to be able to leave such a legacy for years to come.”

“The enormity of this project was obvious from the beginning. When we identified the need to decommission the existing tram, we immediately began researching what could replace such a lift,” Blann said. “We studied many options and reduced them to a tram or bi-cable gondola. We all agreed the iconic nature of our ‘red box’ was something to be treasured, but we kept options open until the final and most recent decision.

“Ultimately the final analysis was financial. … This new tram will cost an estimated $25 million, and so far we have had to plan on funding the entire project privately. In conjunction with the $14 million already committed to capital improvements this summer, there will be a strain felt on our company resources, but we are steadfast in this decision thanks to the commitment from our owners. On our 40th anniversary, the company has reached a pinnacle of investment.”

“This huge investment by JHMR ownership to build a new tram stands alone in our industry,” said Michael Berry, president of the National Ski Areas Association. “The tram at Jackson Hole is iconic. It is recognized around the world as a lift that accesses some of the most spectacular terrain in North America. It is beloved by locals and sought after by destination visitors.”