The much-anticipated BreckConnect Gondola finally made its debut on New Year’s Eve, connecting the town of Breckenridge with Breckenridge Resort’s Peak 8 base area.
Beginning at the Breckenridge Transportation Center near Main Street, the eight-seat gondola cabins travel 7,592 feet in 10 minutes to the Peak 8 terminal, with a midstation at Shock Hill. An additional terminal at Peak 7 is scheduled to open in 2008.
With 121 cabins, the gondola has a maximum capacity of 2,800 people per hour and is expected to save more than 20,375 gallons of fuel each season from a decrease in resort-run buses typically used to transport skiers and snowboarders from parking areas to the slopes of Peak 8. The resort plans to operate the gondola in winter and summer seasons.
CYCLING: Cyclocross star shines
Centennial cyclocross racer Daniel Summerhill, 18, extended his season in Belgium this winter, finding success with a fifth-place finish in the junior 17-18 division Thursday at the Azencross Loenhout race.
With 72 junior competitors, the race is among the largest in Belgium and the result is the best in Europe for the reigning U.S. champion riding for the Boulder-based TIAA-CREF/Clif Bar cyclocross team.
“Danny’s ride was extraordinary,” Geoff Proctor, U.S. national cyclocross coach and Euro Camp organizer, said. “He started back row and roared up to fourth before losing the sprint and getting fifth. He could have won for sure with a decent start position.”
SNOWSHOEING/CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: Winter fun this week
Several Colorado cross country skiing and snowshoeing sites – including Breckenridge Nordic Center, Frisco Nordic Center, Bear Creek Nature Park, Keystone Resort Nordic Center and Steamboat Ski Touring Center – will participate in the annual Winter Trails Day on Saturday.
Winter Trails Day, part of the “Winter Feels Good” (www.winterfeelsgood.com) public awareness campaign to promote health, fitness and social benefits of snow sports participation, offers free snowshoeing and cross country skiing for children and adults new to snow sports. Rental gear also is free.
“During the cold months, we slow down and exercise less, adding pounds to the waistline. Winter Trails Day is a great way to learn winter outdoor activities that are fun and easy to learn,” said David Ingemie, president of Snowsports Industries America. “If you can walk, you can cross country ski and snowshoe. These are gateway sports to other winter activities that are healthy and burn calories – about 500 per hour – keeping one fit and active.”
A second Winter Trails Day is scheduled for Feb. 17 at Estes Park.
For more information, go to www.wintertrails.org.
(COMPILED BY STAFF WRITER SCOTT WILLOUGHBY)
