And it was marked by the publication of a dedicated Peak2Peak magazine produced by ISR in collaboration with the Doppelmayr, CWA, Ecosign and Fatzer companies.
The magazine was presented at the official opening of the gondola in Whistler itself and all the copies were snapped up in just a few minutes.
With the completion of the historic Peak2Peak project for a high-speed ropeway link between Whistler and Blackcomb, this world-famous Canadian ski area has moved up to join the leaders in the international winter sport league.
The decision taken by Intrawest as the operating company to further develop the resort has paid off handsomely, and Whistler Blackcomb is now classed as one of North America’s leading ski and snowboard destinations.
ISR has already reported in detail on Doppelmayr’s 3S system and the specifications of the Peak2Peak Gondola (ISR 4/2007), but it is worth listing once again the four ropeway engineering records held by the new ropeway:
• at 3024 m, the longest span on such a system worldwide,
• at 415 m, the highest ground clearance on such a system worldwide,
• the longest connected tourist ropeway system,
• at a cost of USD 52 million, the most expensive ropeway ever built in North America.
So we can start looking forward to the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics at Whistler Mountain – now the home of a veritable “must” for any serious tourist!