No replies to this topic

[Skiing#1]

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_4805846

Snowbird tunnel to open Tuesday

By Mike Gorrell
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated:12/09/2006 03:52:46 AM MST

Posted: 5:01 PM- Snowbird's tunnel is opening Tuesday.

A mid-morning ribbon cutting is scheduled for the "Peruvian Tunnel," the first skier-transport tunnel in North America. The tunnel will connect Peruvian Gulch, on the Little Cottonwood Canyon side of Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort, and Mineral Basin on the resort's American Fork Canyon side.

The ceremony also will mark the start of Snowbird's new high-speed quad Peruvian Express Chairlift, which will carry skiers and passengers from the base near Snowbird Plaza up to the base of the ridge that will be pierced by the tunnel. A conveyor belt not unlike those found in airports will transport skiers and snowboarders 600 feet from Peruvian Gulch into Mineral Basin.

Speakers at Tuesday's dedication ceremony include Snowbird Chairman Dick Bass and company president Bob Bonar, state Sen.

Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights and Ski Utah President Nathan Rafferty.

The tunnel's opening has been dependent on Mineral Basin having enough snow. Forecasts of snow daily from Saturday through Tuesday improved that likelihood.