PEAK TO PEAK GONDOLA TO UNITE WHISTLER AND BLACKCOMB AT THE TOP

Record breaking lift will revolutionize resort experience

WHISTLER, BC– Whistler Blackcomb, a mountain resort already renowned for daring innovation, has announced its boldest move yet with the construction of the Peak to Peak Gondola, for completion December 2008. The two mountains will be united by a gondola that will set world records for length and height while providing an unmatched experience for winter and summer resort guests.

The Peak to Peak Gondola will travel 4.4 kilometres in just 11 minutes, transporting winter and summer guests from Whistler’s Roundhouse Lodge to the Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb Mountain, giving them unprecedented access to both mountains’ expansive and unique high alpine terrain and spectacular vistas.

“The Peak to Peak Gondola will create a dramatically enhanced experience that no other mountain resort in North America, possibly the world, can offer,” says Dave Brownlie, Whistler Blackcomb’s Chief Operating Officer. “This link will effectively double, or more, the options for accessing the highest quality and greatest variety of terrain on any one day, from anywhere on the mountains. We are going to completely revolutionize our guests’ experience.”

Skiers and riders will have the opportunity to easily take advantage of 8,171 acres of terrain encompassed by both incredible mountains, via the world's longest continuous lift system. Moving freely between the high alpine areas of both mountains skiers and riders will spend more of their day in the best weather and snow conditions. The adventure for summer visitors will include spectacular views of glaciers and peaks as well as access to an expanded hiking trail network on both mountains.

“This lift is the catalyst for a sustainable economic future benefiting both Whistler Blackcomb and the entire resort community,” says Brownlie. “It will solidify Whistler’s position as the undeniable leader of mountain resorts in North America, while increasing our appeal as a top destination in the world.”

With 28 sky cabins each holding up to 28 people, total capacity will be 4,100 passengers per hour. The Peak to Peak terminal on WhistlerMountain will be located next to the Roundhouse Lodge and easily accessed from the valley by the Village Gondola. On BlackcombMountain the Peak to Peak terminal will be located next to the Rendezvous Lodge and accessed from the valley via the Wizard Express and Solar Coaster Express.

Construction will commence in May 2007, with the lift being manufactured and installed by the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group (Doppelmayr) of Austria The Doppelmayr 3S tri cable gondola will span 4.4 kilometres (2.73 miles) in total distance from Whistler Mountain to Blackcomb Mountain with the world’s longest unsupported (free) span of 3.024 kilometres (1.88 miles) between the two towers furthest apart. The highest vertical point is over Fitzsimmons Creek at 415 metres (1,361 feet) – the world’s greatest distance above a valley floor.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

LIFT MANUFACTURER

Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group, Wolfurt, Austria (www.doppelmayr.com)

GONDOLA TYPE

Doppelmayr 3S

TOTAL DISTANCE

4.4 kilometres / 2.73 miles

LENGTH OF FREE SPAN

3.024 kilometres / 1.88 miles (between two towers furthest apart)

HIGHEST POINT

415 metres / 1,361 feet over Fitzsimmons Creek

GLASS BOTTOM CABINS

Two

NUMBER OF CABINS

28

NUMBER OF TOWERS

4 (two on Blackcomb and two on Whistler)

HEIGHT OF TOWERS

35-65 metres / 115-213 feet

STATIONARY TRACK ROPES

56mm diameter for the two ropes that the cabins ride upon

LENGTH OF TRACK ROPES

4,600 metres HAUL ROPE 48mm diameter for the rope that pulls the cabins along track ropes

TOTAL HAUL ROPE LENGTH

8,850 metres

CAPACITY:

CROSSING TIME

11 minutes SPEED 7.5 metres / 24.6 feet per second

DEPARTURE FREQUENCY

One cabin every 49 seconds

CABIN CAPACITY

28 passenger

TOTAL CAPACITY

4,100 people per hour (2,050 per hour one way)

OTHER DOPPELMAYR 3S LIFT INSTALLATIONS:

SAAS FEE, SWITZERLAND

Two lifts built in 1991 and 1994

VAL D’ISÈRE, FRANCE

Built 2002

KITZBUHEL, AUSTRIA

Built 2004