A gondola installation provides the greatest benefit to Skeetawk’s community from a financial standpoint and long term planning rationale.

pass price

One of Skeetawk’s core principles is Accessibility and Affordability with the objective to provide the mental and physical health benefits from wintertime outdoor recreation at a low entry to cost. To purchase a high capacity lift, regardless of lift type, Skeetawk will be required to incur a large amount of debt service (estimated 10-15 million dollars of debt for any lift type). After evaluating the multiple lift types on the market, the Skeetawk board of directors selected a detachable gondola as the preferred choice for Lift 2. The rationale for this choice stems from the ability to maximize year-round revenue, which will keep pass prices lower.

Hatcher Pass is an extremely popular destination for both summer and winter recreators. Gondola rides are the most preferred form of summertime lift accessed recreation due to ride comfort and protection from the elements. Skeetawk plans to capitalize on the popularity of summer visitors to Hatcher Pass, generating revenue from summer gondola rides which will supplement regular wintertime skiing/snowboarding revenue. The revenue from summer visitors will reduce Skeetawk’s need to increase wintertime pass prices to pay off the debt service. Essentially, Skeetawk will be able to keep pass prices cheaper for local skiers/boarders, because of revenue generated from summer visitors.

Economic development

Skeetawk’s development as a year round recreation attractor in the Matanuska Susitna Borough (MSB), will have a trickle down economic benefit to the greater Borough. Per the organization’s lease with MSB, Skeetawk will only ever function as a day use facility, meaning no overnight accommodations or services outside of those which directly support alpine recreation activities. This lease restriction leaves room for entrepreneurial growth from local businesses within the MSB to step in and provide amenities typically found with alpine recreation (i.e. hotels, restaurants, service shops, etc). Installing a lift that more holistically supports year round recreation, will maximize year round economic growth for the region. 

Physical Access

The gondola will allow for a greater number of users than just skiers, boarders, and mountain bikers to access the mountains. The gondola will better support people with access limitations (physical or mental disabilities, elderly, unable to ski/ride) in a manner that a traditional chairlift cannot support during normal operations. Skeetawk will provide carriers for adaptive ski/ride equipment to efficiently load and unload the gondola for the user’s preferred activity.