Galsterberg Ski Area exec speaks about gondola purchased by CBJ

• News Home
• More from News of the North

Tuesday, May 24th, 2022 9:19am

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Whatsapp

Galsterberg Ski Area

Pruggern, Austria (KINY) - The ski gondola purchased by the CBJ from an Austrian ski resort, Galsterberg Ski Area, is set for a long voyage to Southeast Alaska.

According to Eaglecrest GM Dave Scanlan, the gondola purchased by CBJ has been dismantled and will begin its trip to Alaska on June 27, departing from the Port of Rotterdam in Holland.

News of the North dug into the history and uses of the gondola with Galsterberg Ski Area Manager Peter Weichbold. He spoke about why the ski area made the sale to the city for use at Eaglecrest Ski Area.

"Galsterberg as a ski area is about 50 years old, the gondola was built in 1989," Weichbold said. "The development in winter tourism gets bigger and bigger, so the gondola is too small now. We had long waiting times. That’s the main reason of building a bigger one."

Weichbold said the gondola had a special name during its time in Austria -- the "Old Lady." The gondola has large cabins and can accommodate hundreds of people per day in the winter. Weichbold said the gondola is special because of its size.

"We called the gondola 'Old Lady' because she was always very reliable and we never had big problems," Weichbold said. "She got the name 'Lady' originally, and after 30 years, 'Old Lady.' The type of gondola is a special one, because she has big cabins with around 15 people per cabin. The cabins are organized in six groups with two cabins per group on the rope."

Weichbold added that summer operations are a large part of the future of Galsterberg, like Eaglecrest plans to do.

"Until now, we've only been in only business in winter, around 120 days per winter, not in summer," Weichbold said. "In the future, we want to open also in summer, because summer tourism gets bigger and bigger. We transport skiers, tobogganers, families with strollers, pedestrians and so on. On average, per winter season, we see around 80,000 people, or around 700 people per day."

 

 

 

More from News of the North

• Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company DSEIS released

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company tailings expansion draft supplemental environmental impact statement (DSEIS) was released on Thursday, March 23.

• After seven years, Alaska Legislature considers no longer monitoring veterinarians’ opioid prescriptions

  Juneau, Alaska (Alaska Beacon) - Seven years ago, at the urging of then-Gov. Bill Walker, the Alaska Legislature passed a sweeping bill intended to limit the abuse of prescription opioid drugs.

• Judge sentences inmate three more years for failing to submit DNA sample

  Kenai, Alaska (KINY) - Superior Court Judge Eric B. Smith found David Simmons guilty of five counts of violating an order to submit to DNA testing after hearing evidence at a court trial conducted on Mar. 22.

• Official: Willow oil project holds promise, faces obstacles

  Juneau, Alaska (AP) - The Willow oil project on Alaska's petroleum-rich North Slope is part of a “new era” of large-scale development in the region but it isn't a sure thing, with litigation and costs among the factors that stand as potential impediments, a state official told lawmakers Thursday.

• National Alliance for Mental Illness Juneau to start a Family to Family educational group

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - NAMI Juneau came onto Capital Chat to talk about a variety of their mental health resources.

• Alaska looks to lead the way in youth employment outcomes

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - On Mar. 13 U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced they have selected a team from the State of Alaska to be one of nine teams from "communities" across the nation to participate in a five-month Youth Systems Building Academy.

• AK Law’s Consumer Protection Section obtains restitution for Alaska consumers who were denied their rights to return products by Bellissima Cosmetics

  Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor announced on Thursday a settlement with Bellissima Cosmetics.

• Alaska House votes more funding to fix food-stamp crisis, prevent budget trouble

  Juneau, Alaska (Alaska Beacon) - The Alaska House of Representatives voted 38-1 on Wednesday to approve a fast-moving budget bill that spends as much as $365 million to cover a shortfall in state revenue caused by lower-than-expected oil prices.

• Kaine and Murkowski introduce bill to reduce maternal and infant mortality, address racial inequities in maternal health

  Washington, D.C. (KINY) - U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Lisa Murkowski members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, reintroduced the Mothers and Newborns Success Act.

• Public comment invited for environmental analysis on Hecla Greens Creek Mine extension project

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - – The public can review a supplemental draft environmental impact statement and submit any comments during a 45-day comment period for the proposed North Extension Project at Hecla Greens Creek Mine.

• Juneau Capitals win the State Championship in Kenai

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau Capitals gave it their best shot at the 12 U A tournament. Meanwhile, in the 10 U A tournament, the Juneau Capitals won. (Updated with pictures and story about Juneau 10u A win in Kenai.)

• Mining Association of British Columbia responds to Southeast Alaska

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Over the last month, a number of different articles and releases have come out that have been critical of the mining being done in British Columbia, Canada.