California Express Gondola Approved!

Placer County supervisors have approved a controversial base-to-base gondola between the Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows ski resorts.

The California Express Gondola, an eight person lift with an approximate 1,400 person per hour capacity,  would allow skiers and snowboarders access to both resorts without having to take a shuttle or drive between the ski areas. 

Alterra Mountain Co., Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows’ parent company, originally proposed building the gondola along the crest of the Sierra Nevada and through land designated to be part of the wilderness, but that plan was rejected.  An environmental impact report released by Placer County and the U.S. Forest Service outlined four possible options for construction of the project.  Placer County and the U.S. Forest Service chose “Alternative 4,” the easternmost route under consideration for the gondola.

The approved route would extend from the base of Red Dog chair at Squaw Valley to the base area of Alpine Meadows. The gondola will have 33 towers spanning 11,700 feet, about 2.2 miles and will take approximately 13 to 16 minutes. The project includes two base terminals and two mid-stations. The approved project has been determined to have less of an environmental effect than alternatives, as it occupies the least amount of land. Approximately 20% of the project will be located on national forest lands.

The project received preliminary approval from the Tahoe National Forest earlier this year, but must be formally approved for the project to move forward. According to Squaw Valley, it’s unknown when construction could start.

For more information check out the Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows Website.