Gondola set for opening

It’s two weeks away.

On Friday, May 16, at 11 a.m., the Sea to Sky Gondola will take its first passengers up the ridge leading to Mount Habrich.

After years of hard work, the gondola’s co-founder Jayson Faulkner said he will be excited to share the company’s vision with the community. The $22 million project has been under construction for more than a year. At the top of a 10-minute ride, visitors can access hiking trails and eat in the 9,000-square-foot Summit Lodge.

“We are really looking forward to being able to have the world finally come and visit,” Faulkner said.

Opening day will feature an official ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., with the cable cars opening up to the public an hour later. Juno Award-winning Squamish musician Cam Salay and Matt Blackman of The Squamtones will provide tunes for the big day, along with singer Jana Lahti and Celtic sensation Jocelyn Pettit. Local artist Toby Jaxon will creatively document the launch with an “en plein air” painting.

The day’s activities will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with live entertainment from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Season ticket holders are encouraged to collect their passes before the opening, gondola spokesperson Elyse Mailhot said. They can collect them at the Sea to Sky Gondola base.

“It might be very busy,” Mailhot said of opening day. “It will be a good problem to have.”

Once open, the gondola will hold programming throughout the summer. It will likely include art exhibits, concerts featuring local acts and recreational activities.

“Right now there are all kinds of ideas,” Mailhot said. “We really want to promote the local talents.”

Originally posted April 30, 2014 by Rebecca Aldous - The Chief