JACKSON, Wyo.-
It's increasingly difficult to maintain, and not terribly efficient.
Still, fans will be mourning the closure this fall of the bright red tram that for 40 years has shuttled millions of skiers and summer tourists up Rendezvous Mountain at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
The tram, which carries just 52 people at a time, will be retired after Oct. 1. But the resort has just announced it will be replaced by a new $25 million, 100-passenger tram.
The new tram is scheduled to open in December 2008. Until then, the resort has installed a chairlift to the summit.
Since, 1966, the existing tram has shuttled some 9 million skiers and summer tourists up 4,139 vertical feet on one of the most challenging–and scenic–slopes at Jackson Hole.
It carried its last skiers of the winter season on April 2. It will cease its warm-weather duty carrying hikers, mountain bikers and sightseers after Oct. 1.
The existing tram has a snack bar at the top, and that will remain, but a new restaurant will also open at the top in time for this winter's skiers.
The old tram will run every day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., through Oct. 1. The cost is $17 for adults, $14 for seniors (65 and over) and $6 for children under 15. Children under 5 ride for free.
For closing weekend–Sept. 30-Oct. 1–Jackson Hole Mountain Resort will operate the old tram for free. The last official public car will go up at 4 p.m., followed by a VIP car and closing ceremony at 5 p.m.
For details, visit .
