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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVail Resorts Power Point Presentation from 013012 Public Hearing50th Anniversary Vista Bahn Replacement Sunday, Jan. 22 approx. 9:00 am Friday, Jan. 21 approx. 9:30 am Vista Bahn Replacement: • Replace the existing Vista Bahn quad chairlift with a new 10-passenger gondola – Will again be designated lift #1 • Same alignment—access from Vail Village to Mid-Vail – Bottom Terminal: 55 feet downhill, 2 feet lower • Interface w/ plaza; queue on snow to the west – Top Terminal: approx. 50 feet east; 10 feet lower • Interface w/ Look Ma Level of Mid-Vail; downloading • 3,600/hour vs. 2,600 currently (40% increase) • 1,200 feet/minute; fastest gondola of its type on Earth – 7 ½ min. ride vs. 9 ½ currently • Wifi Access, Heated Seats Vista Bahn Replacement: Vista Bahn Replacement: Leitner-Poma/Sigma Cabins More than 70% manufactured in Grand Junction Cabins manufactured in France Similar to Kitzbuhel, Austria and Kronplatz, Italy Background: • Original base lift was a 4-psgr gondola • Vista Bahn is 3rd lift on this alignment, installed 1985 • Capacity increase = double chairlift removed in 2006 • This alignment is right for a gondola—transportation lift used in the am w/ little cycling • Gondola provides summer flexibility • Vail Mountain’s second gondola makes a highly visible brand statement – heated seats and wifi add luxury element • Magnified PR opportunity due to Vail’s 50th anniversary Popular Questions: • Why not go to the top? – Can’t be aligned to replace Chair 4 – Guests would not want to use a gondola to recycle on Chair 4 – If it doesn’t replace Chair 4, there is no location for a top station – Would not be used except for initial upload in am – Not the cost-effective or functional way to add capacity at Chair 4 • Why not go to Wildwood? – Chair 3 goes to Wildwood – Can’t be aligned to replace Chair 3 – Guests would not want to use a gondola to recycle on Chair 3 – Not cost-effective Popular Questions: • Aren’t you just going to add volume at Mid-Vail? Chair 4 is already too crowded. – Yes, during morning upload, we will put more people into Mid-Vail (1,000 more per hour) – not incremental people, just quicker. – When they get there, they have options: Ch. 3, 11, 10, 2, etc. When our guests get to the V-Bahn and it is overwhelmed, they have no other option. – We’re solving this first, it’s the weakest part of our guest experience. We will replace Chair 4 at some point and add capacity there as well. Popular Questions: • Chair 17 is the weakest part of the guest experience and should be replaced first. – With Chair 5; guests at Chair 17 have another option. It will be replaced at some point, but this is a higher priority. • You’re just doing this for The 10th – It could provide expanded operating hours for the restaurant and summer options from Vail Village. – The ROI on summer and The 10th would never support the amount we will spend on this project; it is all about improving the guest experience and enhancing Vail Mountain. Other Concerns - Noise: • Gondola will be significantly less noisy than the 26-year- old Vista Bahn • Terminal design: – Fully enclosed machinery vs. open Vista Bahn – Wood under-floor absorbs sound – Insulated side and roof panels rather than sheet metal • Sheave and Grip Design: – Larger diameter wheels for smoother grip interface – Spacing requires less articulation of wheels – Grip design provides more gradual sheave interaction • Cabin vs. Chair Design – Chair rattles, gondola attachments are supported in rubber, etc. Other Concerns - Racing: • New location does create more room for race finish • Will not create enough space for world championship finish area – Only removing the lift or moving it far uphill would • Other complications/obstacles make Vail Village an impractical race finish • Golden Peak is a suitable finish, will host 2015 world championship race, and would be where we would host world cup women’s racing if it were to return to Vail • Men’s racing would not return to Vail because Beaver Creek’s BOP terrain is superior Other Approvals: • USFS: – This lift replacement was anticipated in 2007 MDP. – Currently in process; decision anticipated by mid-Feb • Eagle County: – Building permit for storage building at top terminal. • TOV Design Review Board: Mid-March • Colorado Tramway Board licensing at completion. Timing: • Contract executed in late December. • Design, engineering and initial manufacturing processes are underway. • Construction will begin April 16. • Gondola will be completed November 14 (opening day is November 16). Other Questions?