Recent discussions, studies, decisions and lawsuits concerning transportation in Little Cottonwood Canyon have sparked intense debate. Misconceptions and misinformation, however, cloud the reality of what’s best for Utah’s future and its residents. While neighborhood banners may catch the eye, actual data tells a different story — one that supports a forward-thinking solution.
Ski Utah, a 501(c)6 non-profit marketing and membership association representing Utah’s ski and snowboard industry, worked with Love Communications and Qualtrics to survey more than 1,000 Utahns in 2024. Results show that up to three times as many respondents support the gondola than oppose it. That support isn’t surprising given the unique challenges of the canyon, which has been plagued by limitations of traditional, rubber-wheeled solutions for decades.
Little Cottonwood Canyon faces unparalleled pressures as the most avalanche-prone highway in North America. With 64 slide paths threatening travelers, the existing road-based system exposes thousands to dangerous conditions and significant delays. Over the past two winters, and continuing this season, the inadequacies of relying solely on SR-210 have been evident, with UTA buses and vehicles frequently stranded for hours during storms or when too many people attempt to leave ski areas simultaneously.
Let’s clarify some misconceptions about the gondola proposal:
Cost: UDOT estimates the cost of the gondola, base station parking and road improvements at $521 million — far from the $1 billion opponents claim. While slightly more expensive initially than enhanced bus service, it proves to be the most cost-effective solution long-term.
Operation: UDOT reports the gondola will not operate during active artillery avalanche mitigation, but says it would not be impacted by roadway slide offs/crashes and could operate while avalanche debris is removed from roadway.
Scope of benefits: Skiing is a more than $2 billion industry in Utah, with skiing in LCC as a key component. But this project’s benefits extend beyond two ski areas; it supports the entire canyon and its businesses year round.
Funding: The funding model is a collaborative effort involving both public and private funds.
The Utah Department of Transportation’s comprehensive analysis, based on years of research and more than 50,000 public comments, identifies the gondola as the most practical, sustainable and environmentally friendly solution compared to expanded bus service or road widening.
Critics often overlook crucial facts about the gondola’s advantages. UDOT estimates the gondola will depart 30 times each hour, with each cabin carrying 35 people, effectively replacing hundreds of vehicles on the road. One manufacturer, which builds similar gondolas, reports that it’s reached a total transport capacity of up to 5,500 passengers per hour. This capacity isn’t just about convenience, it’s about safety and environmental protection. The gondola would operate with minimal environmental impact, with any move away from personal vehicles to transit producing significantly less carbon emissions than the no-action alternative.
Cost concerns deserve context. While the initial investment is significant, the gondola’s operational costs over time prove more economical than maintaining an expanded bus system. Moreover, the gondola’s infrastructure would last substantially longer than traditional transportation alternatives — Snowbird’s tram has been operating for more than 50 years — providing value for generations to come. Gov. Spencer Cox has suggested that Utah should not be the sole financial backer, advocating for significant private funding participation.
The current situation isn’t sustainable for the thousands who enjoy LCC’s recreational opportunities. During peak periods, travel times can stretch hours for just an eight-mile journey, with emergency response severely compromised during road closures. These are not mere inconveniences but serious safety risks requiring innovative solutions.
Beyond winter sports, the gondola would enhance year-round access to public lands while protecting the canyon’s watershed.
As Utah’s population continues to grow, inaction is not an option. More often than not, getting to and from recreation opportunities in Little Cottonwood Canyon isn’t just frustrating, it’s broken. The gondola represents a forward-thinking approach that addresses both current challenges and future needs. It’s time to move beyond misconceptions and misinformation and embrace a thoughtful plan that will benefit all Utahns for generations.
(Nathan Rafferty) Nathan Rafferty was named President & CEO of Ski Utah in October 2005.
Nathan Rafferty was named President & CEO of Ski Utah in October, 2005. A Utah native and Park City resident, Nathan has worked in various capacities in Utah’s ski industry, starting as an intern with Ski Utah the summer he graduated from the University of Arizona in 1994.
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Correction, April 23 at 2 p.m. • This op-ed has been updated to clarify how many people the proposed gondola could carry and that the proposed gondola would not operate during avalanche mitigation.
