Whistler-Blackcomb ready to reveal Peak 2 Peak lift system

Imagine soaking up the exhilarating views of British Columbia's snow-capped peaks on the world's longest spanning gondola.

Skiers and snowboarders can do a little fantasizing by climbing into the Whistler-Blackcomb Resort's Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which is on a tour stop in Seattle.

The gondola will make a final stop today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sturtevant's, 1100 Bellevue Way N.E.

The gondola, which makes its winter operation debut Dec. 12, is part of a massive expansion the two resorts are undergoing in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The cost of the lift project alone is $52 million Canadian. Construction began in spring of 2007, and it will be the world's longest unsupported span for a lift of this kind.

The total free span between the towers (two on each peak) is 1.88 miles. The lift covers 2.73 miles between Whistler and Blackcomb peaks.

One advantage for skiers and snowboarders is they'll now be able to take advantage of cruising both mountains in one day.

"We found that about 12 percent of our visitors would utilize the two mountains on the same day," said the resort's communication specialist, Michelle Leroux.

If you were a really fast skier and didn't encounter a lot of lift lines, it would take about 40 minutes to get between both mountains. But if you went at a normal pace and had to stand in lines, it could take about an hour or longer.

"The gondola creates a whole new experience, and a person could cherry-pick the spots they want to go all in one day," Leroux said. "In terms of using it as a transportation tool is quite incredible, and it will definitely cut your time to get from one place to the other."

Each gondola cabin can hold 28 people (22 sitting and six standing) and can transport 2,050 people per hour each way. It takes each gondola about 11 minutes to cross each peak, and one cabin departs every 49 seconds.

The system will have 28 cabins, including two silver-colored gondolas that will feature real glass floors for a bird's-eye view of Fitzsimmons Valley 1,427 feet below.

The lift is also greener. Since there is no elevation gain, energy consumption is much less than a traditional lift, and it uses less energy than the Emerald Express high-speed quad on Blackcomb.

The resort also utilizes hydro power, which is considered a renewable resource, to power its operations. More than 90 percent of British Columbia's energy comes from hydro projects rather than electricity derived from burning fossil fuels.

"When you look at the amount of terrain we had to alter it wasn't much," Leroux said. "The area where the towers were installed was already cleared, and there was no impact on trees and virgin land."

Washington junior bass angler wins world title

Joey Nania of Liberty Lake won his second Junior Bassmaster World Championship title, this time in the 15-to-18-year-old age division, on Nov. 9 at Geary County State Lake in Junction City, Kan.

Nania, who won the 2005 title in the 11-to-14-year-old age division, brought two bass to the scales that weighed 4 pounds, 1 ounce, for the title. Nania had three bites, with the first bass falling short of the 15-inch legal length by a quarter-inch.

This year, all qualifiers had to go through the divisional process. Nania won Washington and then the Western 11 state division last May to qualify as one of six juniors from the U.S., Canada and other foreign countries.

"This feels good to win and has been a long dry spell," Nania said. "This was my fifth Junior World Championships. I really worked hard for this tournament."

Nania received a $5,000 college scholarship award, plus an additional $1,000 Big Bass Scholarship. He also took home an $8,000 boat package.

Notes

• The Warren Miller movie "Children of Winter" will be shown at 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. today at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue; and at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Nov. 21, and 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Nov. 22 at McCaw Hall at the Seattle Center. Other showings are 5 p.m. today at the Pantages Theater in Tacoma; and 8 p.m. Nov. 19-20 at Admiral Theater in Bremerton. Details: 206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com.

• The Kingston Puget Sound Anglers Chapter meeting is 7 p.m. (6 p.m. social) Wednesday at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club, 25915 Washington Blvd. N.E. in Kingston. Jesse Roksa and Chris Cerveny from Island View Marine Center will discuss boat maintenance and proper ways to winterize. Details: 360-930-3223.

• The Edmonds Laebugten Salmon Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the South County Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave. in Edmonds. Kelly Morrison with Tackle Art Sales in Lynnwood is the guest speaker. Details: 425-218-0654.

• The Orvis Store at 10223 N.E. 10th St. in Bellevue is hosting a "Winter Steelhead Roundtable" 6 p.m. Nov. 24. Guests include fishing guides John Farrar and Ryan Petzold. Details: 425-452-9138.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com