Alta to Replace Sunnyside Chairlift with High-Speed 6-Pack
More new lift infrastructure is coming to Alta, when the Sunnyside lift will be replaced with a detachable, high-speed 6-pack. Sunnyside is a high-speed 3-seater servicing beginner terrain, and is also used as a feeder lift to Supreme and Sugarloaf. Alta Ski Area is planning on replacing the lift this summer, according to documents filed with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
The USFS approved the project in 2017 as part of Alta’s master development plan.
In addition, Alta seeks to remove the Albion chairlift, which has been around since the mid-1970’s and is maintained only to provide back-up capacity out of the Albion base area if the Sunnyside lift breaks down. “The new lift would serve the functions of both the existing Sunnyside and Albion lifts, making Albion lift unnecessary. Coupled with its age and condition, this makes removal of the Albion lift appropriate at this time,” the project summary says.
In 2016, Alta replaced the Supreme Chair, and later added a chair that goes up to the Snowpine Lodge in 2018.
Other projects approved by USFS that have not been completed at Alta include:
- Construction of a Wildcat Day Lodge between the Collins lift base terminal and the Skier Services building.
- Extension of snowmaking water and power from the pumphouse near the base of Sugarloaf lift to the bottom of the previous Supreme bottom terminal, near the Cecret lake trailhead.
Skier Dies in Grizzly Gulch
The body of a 68-year-old overdue skier identified as Merrill Bitter, was found Thursday morning in the backcountry near Alta ski resort.
The man was found just after 9 a.m. in the Grizzly Gulch area just off Wolverine Bowl, said Unified Police Sgt. Melody Cutler. Neither the man’s name nor cause of death were immediately released.
.@UPDSL: 68 year old experienced backcountry skier went up Grizzly Gulch yesterday. Told employees he would check in at 3pm. Didn’t. UPD says they didn’t get the call reporting him missing until later in the evening. Searched 9pm-130am. pic.twitter.com/nJN7abYv1m
— Matt Rascon (@MattRasconNews) January 20, 2022
As of 9:30 a.m., members of the Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, with assistance from the Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter, were trying to reach the man to recover his body.
The man had gone skiing by himself at Alta on Wednesday, Cutler said. He told employees of his company that he would check in with them about 3 p.m. When that didn’t happen, employees called the Alta town marshal about 9 p.m. Wednesday to report him as overdue. The marshal then notified Unified police.
Bitter was a well-known rock climber who worked at the IME climbing store.
Park City Ski Patrol Reaches Deal with Vail
After more than a year of negotiating, Park City Ski Patrol has struck a tentative contract deal with Vail Resorts. This comes after the ski patrollers union voted to authorize a strike.
What went down with the negotiations between the Park City Mountain ski patrol and Vail Resorts, courtesy of @zak_podmore :https://t.co/TsszVCsjxz
— Julie Jag (@julie_jag) January 20, 2022
The deal averts a threatened patrol strike, which would seriously affect the remainder of the ski season at Park City mountain.
The deal will increase ski patrol pay to an average of $19 per hour. Starting pay will increase to $16 an hour, up from $13.25.
Read more at the Salt Lake Tribune.
“Home Crag” Climbing Film
A climbing film, titled: “Home Crag” illustrates how rock climbs and bouldering in Little Cottonwood Canyon would be destroyed or affected by either of UDOT’s LCC EIS transportation plans.
Both the gondola and road widening options would encroach on popular bouldering sites, and would lesson the outdoor experience on all classic Little Cottonwood Canyon crags. The film follows rock climber and Olympic medalist Nathaniel Coleman, as he shows how the canyon shaped him, and what would be lost if the EIS moves forward.