VAIL, Colo.—Some merchants in Vail’s Lionshead Village say Friday afternoon foot traffic is down this summer now that Vail Resorts is charging for gondola rides past 4 p.m.
Rides on Vail Mountain cost $15 after 4 p.m., but the fee includes a $10 voucher good toward food, beverage and activity purchases on top of the mountain.
Vail Mountain spokeswoman Liz Biebl says there’s been “only a small amount of critical feedback” to the new charge. But Double Diamond Ski and Sport Shop rental manager Adam Hart says crowds aren’t lining up to ride the gondola on Friday afternoons this year like they were last year.
Some Fridays in late June and early July also had afternoon thunderstorms and colder temperatures.
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Information from: Vail Daily,
