Scott Hayes | [email protected]
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Skiers are excited about the new terrain on the horizon thanks to the new knob quad chair coming online at Marmot Basin this upcoming season.
"They're really excited about the fact that the quad chair goes to a higher unload point, which gives people better access to some of those ones off the peak, and in particular, the runs that we've opened up off of what we call Marmot Cirque," said Brian Rode, vice president at Marmot Basin, referring to the newly-opened area.
The excitement, he continued, is "palpable" for the ski hill's sporting guests and the staff members alike.
The base of the quad chair will be approximately 100 metres lower than the current base, which means that it will be accessible from the Eagle Ridge chair. The peak of it will be approximately 110 metres above – at an elevation of 2,518 metres – giving it a lower start and a higher finish.
Previously, skiers and snowboarders would have to ride to the Knob and stay really high on the traverse, skate and climb to get closer to Marmot Peak.
"You're not going to have to do that anymore," Rode said.
Marmot will still keep some of that hiking terrain for those who want it. For everyone, however, it offers access much farther onto the slopes.
On top of all that, the new fixed-grip quad chair with conveyor loading can transport 1,200 people per hour.
Preparations for the project have been in the works for 15 years with various environmental studies playing major factors in the planning. They relied on the various animal and plant surveys in order to "ensure that there would be no net negative environmental impact."
"Of course, we worked hand in hand with Parks. A lot of that work involved doing those studies of that whole area," Rode said.
"It really did just come down to all the options, and we were really exhaustive and looking at a whole bunch of different alignments. Suffice it to say, a lot of work and a lot of thought went into it to come up with the very best option for where the unload is. We're super excited about it, and the comments we're getting are all very positive."
