Something Old, Something New; Something Broken, Something Blue

As the saying goes…

The new tram cars have arrived at Snowbird.

In late May, after traveling all the way from Olten, Switzerland by way of exotic Port of Houston, both cars were on hand and waiting to be swapped out. Unfortunately, on May 29^th amidst a dusting of late season snow there was an incident and “New Red” was damaged during the first car swap, permanently removing it from transporting happy skiers to the top of Hidden Peak.

Canyon Blog sat down with Snowbird general manager Dave Fields on June 15^th to get the scoop on the way ahead after “New Blue” was installed. For all you interested riders here’s the bottom line: New Blue will be in operation beginning July 15^th for the remainder of the summer season. New Red has returned to the Alps of Switzerland to be replaced by “New New Red”.

In the meantime, Old Red will serve as a counterweight but will not be hauling passengers due to technical differences between the cars. Summer tram traffic will be about half and New Blue’s rooftop balcony will not be fitted until both new cars are in place so the car’s capacity can be increased in the interim.

“New New Red should be on hand by fall and in time for the 22-23 ski season,” he added allaying the concerned look on your correspondent.

Dave’s enthusiasm and affection for the new cars is infectious. “Between the floor to ceiling glass and the glass floor view windows the new rides are going to so much more exciting year-round. We’re really looking forward to sharing them with our customers.”

Old Red was damaged in the incident, but Canyon Blog spied Old Blue in the lot at entry 1, strapped to the back of a Snowbird flatbed just that morning. Smelling a Pulitzer worthy scoop, he pounced on the veteran Snowbird employee. “So what’s going to happen to Old Blue?” he queried as innocently as possible so as not to spook his quarry. “I’m not at liberty to say, other than we have plans,” replied the sphinx like leader and simply refused any further information.

Thus was lost a great investigative journalistic aspiration.

Snowbird’s usual summer activities are now open. The Peruvian chair will be delayed until sometime in July as the resort makes contingency plans for all those Hidden Peak weddings that will now be taking place at the top of chairlift. The resort is building a platform just to host the relocated nuptials. That’s a great gesture on behalf of Snowbird but if you see potential brides in long white dresses Canyon Blog recommends you keep your distance just in case.