Month: May 2019

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The World’s Longest Panoramic Gondola Lift Will Open in Serbia

Tornik ski resort. Elnea Lupsor photo. Wikipedia. The World's Longest Panoramic Gondola Lift Will Open in Serbia.

The World’s Longest Panoramic Gondola Lift Will Open in Serbia

From POMA

The Zlatibor Gold Gondola Lift, at the heart of a major tourist project linking the town of Zlatibor with the Tornik ski resort by air, via lake Ribničko.

Located in the popular tourist town of Zlatibor, within the municipality of Čajetina in Serbia, this new 9-km gondola lift has eclipsed the previous record-holder, the Tianmen Shan cable car (China) measuring 7.4 km. The total journey time is 25 minutes and treats passengers, skiers, hikers and walkers to breathtaking panoramic views of Zlatibor and its golden pine-covered mountain slopes, which gave the mountain its name (‘zlatni’ meaning ‘golden’ and ‘bor’ meaning ‘pine tree’ in Serbian). A project that is part of continuity since POMA had already participated in 2007 in the Tornik ski resort modernisation by installing the first detachable chairlift of Serbia.

The World's Longest Panoramic Gondola Lift Will Open in Serbia.
The World’s Longest Panoramic Gondola Lift Will Open in Serbia.

Tourist activities on offer near all stations

The line connects the tourist hub of Zlatibor to Tornik’s summit, which peaks at an altitude of 1,496 metres. Zlatibor, also known as Kraljeve Vode (‘King’s Water’), has been a renowned Serbian tourist resort since the 19th century, particularly prized for its climate, its setting and its snowy slopes.

This new gondola lift is part of the overall drive to strengthen and diversify the region’s tourist attractions. Around the downhill resort in the centre of Zlatibor, the municipality is planning to build the biggest adventure park of the Balkans (1,000 m²); it will offer numerous leisure activities, such as zip wires, hanging bridges, tobogganing and climbing.

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Forest Service grants Eldora ski resort’s expansion request

Eldora Mountain Resort. Photo Denver Post. Forest Service grants Eldora ski resort's expansion request.

Forest Service grants Eldora ski resort’s expansion request

From: WRAL.com

The U.S. Forest Service has granted Eldora’s request to add 62 acres (25 hectares) of skiable terrain.

The Daily Camera reports the project will include five new ski trails on Roosevelt National Forest land, as well as tree and gladed skiing. The resort also plans to build a four- or six-person high-speed lift and beef up its snow-making operations.

Forest Service grants Eldora ski resort's expansion request
Forest Service grants Eldora ski resort’s expansion request.

Eldora general manager Brent Tregaskis says the expansion in an area known as the Jolly Jug is “pretty exciting stuff” that has been a long time coming.

The resort northwest of Denver abandoned plans for improvements on its north side amid concerns they could imperil a watershed and a critical wildlife migration corridor.

It’s not yet clear when the new lift will be installed.

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Skier Visits Top 59 Million in US Ski Areas for the 2018/19 Ski Season

Squaw Valley Funicular - Alterra Mountain Resorts. Skier Visits Top 59 Million in US Ski Areas for the 2018/19 Ski Season.

Skier Visits Top 59 Million in US Ski Areas for the 2018/19 Ski Season

Preliminary 2018/19 numbers up nearly 11 percent over previous season

The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) announced today that skier visits to U.S. areas totaled over 59 million for the 2018/19 season. The preliminary number represents a nearly 11 percent increase over the 2017/18 season total of 53.3 million.

Teton Village - Jackson Hole. Skier Visits Top 59 Million in US Ski Areas for the 2018/19 Ski Season.
Teton Village – Jackson Hole. Skier Visits Top 59 Million in US Ski Areas for the 2018/19 Ski Season.

Abundant snowfall – up 31 percent nationwide over the previous season – and continued improvements to the guest experience contributed to increases in visitation in every region across the country. The 2018/19 season ranks as the fourth best since NSAA began recording visitation in 1978/79.

“Snow is our greatest asset and this year was one to remember,” said Kelly Pawlak, NSAA president and CEO. “Skiers and riders were greeted with an awesome on-snow experience. Continued investment in infrastructure, like chairlifts and snowmaking, make those days on the slopes even better.”

Visitation grew the most in the Pacific Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions, by 22.9 percent and 15.6 percent respectively over the previous season. While extreme winter storms provided some challenges in both regions, ultimately the snowy days proved a draw for powder-seeking skiers and snowboarders.

Total visitation numbers were highest in the Rocky Mountain region at over 24 million (a record year for the region), followed by the Northeast with approximately 12.7 million.

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