Snowbird representatives will meet media on the Snowbird Center Plaza Deck, Level 3 of the Snowbird Center, at 10 a.m. Media will be escorted to the entrance of the tunnel via the Tram and/or vehicle on dirt roads for the opening of the Mineral Basin side of the tunnel at 11 a.m.

It is recommended that media outlets send journalists and photographers prepared for mountain conditions. Media interested in covering the event from the outside of the tunnel exit in Mineral Basin should anticipate some hiking.

What: Excavator punch-through of the new Snowbird tunnel connecting Peruvian Gulch and Mineral Basin.

Where: The tunnel entrance in Peruvian Gulch and the soon-to-be tunnel exit in Mineral Basin. Take Little Cottonwood Canyon Road to Snowbird Entry 2 and park near the Snowbird Center.

When: Wednesday, Aug. 16. Arrive at Snowbird Center Plaza Deck by 10 a.m. for trip to tunnel entrance.

Who: Snowbird President Bob Bonar, Ski Utah President Nathan Rafferty, resort representatives and journalists and photographers prepared for mountain conditions and some hiking.

Peruvian Gulch Project Fact Sheet

North America’s First Ski Area Tunnel and New Peruvian Express Quad

The first of its kind in North America, Snowbird’s new nearly 600-foot tunnel will house a conveyor lift that will transport skiers and riders from Peruvian Gulch into Mineral Basin. Located at the top of the new Peruvian Express high-speed quad, the 12-foot high, 10-foot wide tunnel provides a four-minute ride to intermediate terrain in Mineral Basin. The new tunnel and lift will make intermediate terrain more accessible to skiers and riders by eliminating many switchbacks and the steepest pitch of Chip’s Run. It also provides an efficient way to reach Hidden Peak without the use of the Tram.

Tunnel Facts

· Final approval granted August 10, 2005

· Work began August 17, 2005

· Mining contractor: Small Mine Development, LLC, out of Boise, ID. (208) 338-8880.

· Cost: Approximately $650,000

· Dimensions: Approximately 600 feet long, 12 feet high and 10 feet wide

· Conveyor lift: 30 inches wide (48 inches for entire mechanism), 160 feet per min, 4 minute ride, 6-foot wide walking ramp

· 7 percent grade

· One-way access into Mineral Basin

· 350 feet below Gorilla Pass on the Peruvian side, 300 feet below pass on Mineral side

· ADA compliant

· Entire project is on private land

· Timeline: The majority of the work was done during the summer of 2005 and it is due to be completed by the start of the 2006-07 season.



Chairlift Facts

· Manufacturer: CTEC-Doppelmayer

· Cost: $5.6 million

· 8000 linear feet

· 2600 vertical feet

· 1800 people per hour

· 8 minute ride

· 29 lift towers

· 4 towers on public land, remainder of project on private

· High-speed quad

· 90 degree bottom- and top-load

· Powered by a top vault drive

· Base area of lift will be reconfigured resulting in a 6000 square foot flat area

· Timeline: Construction is currently underway and due to be finished in fall of 2006. The original Peruvian lift was removed in spring of 2006.



Why do it this way?

· We minimize visual impact by avoiding a ridgetop lift terminal.

· Tunnel significantly reduces the size and number of required retaining walls.

· No ridgetop grading.

· A lift that is not impacted by ridgetop winds can operate more often.

· Provides easier access to intermediate terrain by eliminating many switchbacks and the steepest pitch of Chip’s Run.



Both the tunnel and lift will open for use with the beginning of the 2006-07 season.

Total project cost: Approximately $6.5 million