WIR 02/2020 [EN]

18 International Projects
Capacity and comfort upgrade for winter
sports enthusiasts in Steamboat
8-MGD Steamboat Gondola | Steamboat Springs, Colorado (USA)
Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation
2,707 m 663 m 3,600 PPH 6.0 m/s 137 8-passenger cabins 11/2019
The Steamboat Gondola in Colorado has
been completely replaced in two phases.
In 1986, Doppelmayr built the world’s fi rst
8-passenger gondola lift in Steamboat Springs,
Colorado. After more than 30 years of service,
Steamboat desired to upgrade this key installation
to meet their future needs, and in 2019,
the new Steamboat Gondola with the same
alignment was realized. Construction of the
new lift was carried out in two phases: the fi rst
from May 2018 up to the start of the 2018/19
ski season, and the second from May 2019 to
November 2019. This meant that, despite the
rebuild, the lift was able to operate for guests
during the important winter periods for the US
ski resort. The tight time schedule left no room
for delays – Doppelmayr/Garaventa completed
the lift on time for the start of the 2019/20
winter season.
Optimal loading and unloading
In comparison with its predecessor, the Steamboat
Gondola scores with an increase in capacity
from 2,800 to 3,600 passengers an hour.
This increase was achieved by adapting the
boarding process in the stations. The barrierfree
loading and unloading areas have been
extended, giving passengers more time and
enhanced convenience when boarding and
disembarking from the cabins. In addition, travel
speed has been increased from 5.0 m/s
to 6.0 m/s and more cabins provided. The
installation is used not only for passenger
transport but also to carry freight up to the
mountain restaurants. On average, Steamboat
moves 10,000-12,000 lbs of food per day with
the gondola.
For Steamboat Ski Resort, choosing Doppelmayr
as their partner for the new lift installation was
an easy decision to make in view of the successful
track record of the old lift spanning more
than three decades. Steamboat Springs has
another 19 ropeways supplied by Doppelmayr.
Impressions of the project
from construction to
opening can be found here:
We’ve been working successfully with
Doppelmayr for over 30 years. The
professionalism and dedication of their
teams have yet again
been a huge success in
the Steamboat Gondola
project. Dave Hunter,
VP Mountain Operations,
Steamboat Ski and
Resort Corporation