Jackson Thinking Outside 'Red Box' With $25 Million Tram

August 10th, 2006 at 11:06am Post Staff 3

TETON VILLAGE, WYOMING (Post Time News)—What better way for Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to turn 40 than with a brand-new $25 million 100-passenger tram to be ready in the 2008 season?

The old tram is scheduled to run its last run on the first day of October 2006, with no promise made about its replacement. The good news is the deal was done for a new airboat from the base of Teton Village to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain, a vertical rise of 4,139’, “the longest continual vertical rise of any ski lift in North America,” according to the resort.
"I am very proud of our company leading this two and a half year process to a successful conclusion," said Jackson Hole Resort president Jerry Blann. “This outcome would not have been possible without our dedicated owners, the Kemmerer Family and our Board of Directors. They deserve recognition for their commitment to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Teton County and the State of Wyoming.”
JHMR has contracted with Doppelmayr/CTEC for the new Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Aerial Tram with December 2008 the putative opening day. Forest Service approvals are also required. The uphill capacity of the new tram will be over 600 passengers an hour. Carney Architects of Jackson got the gig to hash out plans for bottom and top terminal enclosures.
"We hope with this decision Jackson Hole will remain the truly unique place it is for all who love the mountains year round, like we do. When we bought the Resort we knew it needed investment and were prepared for that, but the tram replacement has taken a lot of deep thinking to resolve," said Jackon Hole Resort owner John Kemmerer III. "Our family considers Jackson Hole Mountain Resort an integral part of this incredible community and we feel privileged to be able to leave such a legacy for years to come."
"The new tram will ultimately require additional improvements including a redevelopment of Nick Wilson's Café into a multi-purpose base lodge,” Blann said. “The Kemmerer family's dedication to invest in JHMR core business on public lands for the enjoyment of this community and visiting guests is completely unique in the winter recreation industry….We studied many options and reduced them to a Tram or Bi-Cable Gondola. We all agreed the iconic nature of our ‘red box’ was something to be treasured but we kept options open until the final and most recent decision. Ultimately the final analysis was financial. We are a small, family owned company with finite resources. This new tram will cost an estimated $25 million and so far we have had to plan on funding the entire project privately. In conjunction with the $14 million already committed to capital improvements this summer there will be a strain felt on our company resources, but we are steadfast in this decision thanks to the commitment from our owners. On our 40th Anniversary the company has reached a pinnacle of investment.”

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