Park City-Deer Valley Gondola Connection: New Feasibility Study Planned

Park City Advances Plans for Main Street-Deer Valley Gondola Link

Park City's vision for an aerial transit system connecting its historic downtown with Deer Valley Resort is gaining momentum as city officials prepare to explore new feasibility studies. The initiative, which aims to revolutionise transportation between these key destinations, will be a focal point of upcoming City Council discussions.

Mayor Nann Worel and the City Council are scheduled to review proposals for the future of Main Street's public spaces, with the gondola project emerging as a key component. While specific details of the aerial transit system remain under consideration, city staff may receive authorisation to pursue deeper research into the project's viability.

Deer Valley Resort which is the second ski resort in Park City.

A recent City Hall report recommends engaging specialised gondola consultants and securing Deer Valley's support for a new feasibility analysis, despite previous studies suggesting challenging implementation. The project is part of a broader strategy to enhance Main Street's appeal and competitiveness while addressing transportation concerns.

Consultant recommendations highlight the gondola's potential to provide high-capacity transportation between Main Street and Deer Valley, potentially eliminating significant personal vehicle traffic. The Sandridge parking lots off Marsac Avenue are being considered as a possible terminus point, though routing challenges exist, particularly regarding alignments that avoid passing over residential areas.

Key study areas will likely focus on routes between the Brew Pub lot and Deer Valley, with funding potentially coming from both public and private sources. The initiative gains additional relevance with Salt Lake City's successful bid for the 2034 Winter Olympics, as Park City seeks to leverage potential transportation improvement funding similar to the 2002 Games, which helped finance the Old Town transit centre.

The main base area of Park City Mountain Resort. Credit: SnowStash

The project's scope could expand beyond the initial Main Street-Deer Valley connection, with previous concepts suggesting additional terminals at Park City Mountain's base area and near the Bonanza Drive-Kearns Boulevard intersection. These expansions would create a more comprehensive transportation network serving the area's major ski and activity centres.

This latest push for aerial transit represents Park City's ongoing commitment to innovative transportation solutions that enhance the experience for both locals and visitors while addressing the growing needs of this premier ski destination.