Breckenridge Gondola

Breckenridge Gondola and Ski Trails Map

New Breckenridge Gondola Project in Set in Motion

The much anticipated gondola connecting the town of Breckenridge to the base areas at Peak 7 and Peak 8 was announced March 13, 2006.  Construction was slated to begin in the spring with completion by Christmas 2006. 

Starting at the Breckenridge Transportation Center near Main Street, the gondola will transport up to 8 passengers and their equipment to the transit station at the base of Peak 8 with stops at Shock Hill Breckenridge and Peak 7.  The cabins, all 143 of them, are fully enclosed. 

One of the presidents of Vail Resorts and the COO (chief operating officer) of Breckenridge, Roger McCarthy said, “The gondola has been talked about in the community for 20 years and now the timing is perfect as this project will continue the incredible momentum that Breckenridge Ski Resort and the Town of Breckenridge have worked together to build from the success of the Imperial Express, the popularity of the Skyway Skiway and a strong real estate and development market.”

The Town of Breckenridge and the local ski resort agreed to develop two service-oriented villages at the bases of Peak 7 and Peak 8.  Included in this agreement was the gondola to provide transportation and very little retail development.  The gondola was the last major hurdle to overcome. 

With a price tag of $6.7 million for the Town of Breckenridge, the town and resort have quite a bit at stake to ensure the gondola’s timely completion.  Other major developments that were part of the May 2002 agreement, namely the Mountain Thunder Lodge and Skyway Skiway, were completed ahead of schedule in 2005. 

While the Town of Breckenridge will be footing the bill for the gondola, Breckenridge Ski Resort will develop the gondola base, including parking, shops and amenities.  Breckenridge Land Company is contributing $500,000 for the Shock Hill stop along the gondola route. 

Ernie Blake, the esteemed Mayor of Breckenridge, had this to say of the agreement, “The Town of Breckenridge is thrilled with the ski area’s decision. We recognize that Vail Resorts has many choices for its investment dollars and appreciate the confidence it has shown in Breckenridge with this commitment. It comes years ahead of the agreed upon schedule and is another example of what a model public/private partnership can produce. We are fortunate to be economically capable of contributing to this wonderful amenity upgrade for our guest.”

Vail Resorts is a publicly held company (NYSE: MTN) with stock prices rising steadily since mid-2003.  It is the leading resort operator in the US, operating Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Vail resorts in Colorado.  They also operate resorts in California and Nevada (Heavenly, at Lake Tahoe) and in Wyoming (Grand Teton Lodge, in Jackson Hole.) 

In addition to helping with the gondola construction, Vail Resorts will develop residential housing at the base of Peak 8.  Over 160 condominium units will go up and should be open by Christmas 2006, at around the same time as the gondola is complete. 

The gondola will be very modern in design and one of the most cutting edge rides in North America.  Breckenridge plans on using it both during ski season as well as throughout the summer months, transporting bicyclers up the mountain.  With plenty of room in each of the cabins and a speed of about 1000 feet per minute, riders will travel over 7,500 feet, nearly 400 feet up, during the 7.5 minute ride.  About 3,000 passengers can ride per hour in the 121 cabins. 

             Pictures created 01/20/2007

             Pictures created 10/13/2006

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