HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Chris Jarnot dated January 12, 2012 Ski Race Finishes
Post Office Box 7 ∙ Vail, Colorado 81658 ∙ 970-754-2500 ∙ www.vail.com
George Ruther
Town of Vail
Sent via email: gruther@vailgov.com
January 12, 2012
Dear George:
Per your request, the following is an explanation of how the replacement of the Vista Bahn
Express with a new gondola will impact the possibility of hosting World Cup or World Championship ski
racing in the Vail Village base area.
First, the replacement of the Vista Bahn with a gondola at the location we are proposing does not
change the possibility of hosting World Championship racing at the Vail Village base area. Due to
increases in the requirements for stadium seating in a World Championship finish area, it would be
impossible to host a World Championship race of any sort at the Vail Village base area without moving
the lift very significantly uphill to the south. We would not consider relocating the Vista Bahn to such a
location or locating the new gondola terminal at such a location because it would be extremely
inconvenient for our day-to-day guests.
Second, the replacement of the Vista Bahn with a gondola at the location we are proposing would
create a space that could potentially accommodate a women's World Cup slalom or giant-slalom finish
area; however, due to several other factors it is extremely unlikely racing would be held at this
location. The obstacles include the following: 1) a major re-grade of Giant Steps, 2) the relocation of
and/or tunneling of ski ways across Lindsey's and Giant Steps, 3) utility and snowmaking relocations,
and 4) the installation of additional snowmaking and the improvement of Vail Mountain's overall
snowmaking capacity. The expense and/or impracticality of making any of these changes makes it
extremely unlikely that Vail Resorts or the Vail Valley Foundation would consider holding racing at the
Vail Village base area.
Finally, with the improvements that Vail Resorts partnered with Ski and Snowboard Club Vail to make
at Golden Peak two years ago, we have a race venue at Golden Peak that has the space to
accommodate a finish stadium and has the snowmaking and other requirements to host not only the
team event that is scheduled to be held there during the 2015 World Championships, but women’s
World Cup slalom and giant-slalom races as well.
Vail has not hosted World Cup racing since 1999, but if we were to pursue it in the future, we would
pursue it to take place at Golden Peak regardless of what happens with the location of the gondola at
the Vail Village base.
If you have additional questions or would like us to provide additional information, please let me know.
Best regards and think snow!
Chris Jarnot
SVP & COO
Vail Mountain