New PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola
Whistler Blackcomb’s award-winning big mountain experience just got a whole lot bigger! The record-breaking new PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola links together Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains for the first time. Boasting the longest unsupported lift span in the world at 3.024 kilometres (1.88 miles), it’s also the highest lift of its kind at 415 metres / 1,361 feet. Take advantage of incredible deals on winter packages and you’ll be skiing or riding both mountains without ever touching the ground
Technical details
Speed
7.5 meters per second.
Ride Time
approximately 11 min.
Frequency
one cabin departs every 49 seconds
Total Distance
4.4km/2.73miles (straight line)
Length of Unsupported Span
3.024km/1.88 miles (straight line between the two towers that are furthest apart)
Highest Point
above the ground is 436m/1427 feet over Fitzsimmons Creek
Number of Cabins
28
Capacity of Cabins
22 seated, 6 standing
Capacity
2050 people per hour each way
Number of Towers
4 (2 on Blackcomb and 2 on Whistler)
Height of Towers
35-65 meters/100-213 feet
Track Ropes
the two stationary ropes that the cabin rides upon-each rope is 56mm in diameter. Total length of the track rope with the sag is 4600m
Haul Rope
the single rope that pulls the cars along the track ropes is 46mm in diameter. Total length of the haul rope loop with the sag is 8850m
Greg Paddon, Provincial Safety Manager of Amusement Devices and Passenger Ropeways for the BC Safety Authority was on site at the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola to inspect towers, sheaves, and the de-ropement switches on the assemblies and foundations of each of the gondola’s four lift towers. One of the most important tests is the full load test to simulate how the gondola operates with a full load of passengers.
The P2P gondola went through a full load test with three concrete blocks totaling 2250 kilograms in each Sky Cabin. With a full load, the gondola was put through various operational scenarios to check that components such as the drive systems and brakes were working as per the manufacturer’s specifications.
The 3S ropeway is a new configuration of passenger ropeway to North America but there are four others in the world like it. The 3S stands for three ropes - two track ropes and one haul rope pulling in the middle. The 3S design incorporates reversible tramway technology with detachable grip technology in a new and novel configuration.
Some advantages to the 3S Gondola system is that it is very dependable; the design allows for large rope spans with fewer towers; it has increased stability in exposure to high winds; and it supports lower energy consumption. The numerous redundancies built into the system to ensure uninterrupted operation of the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola were also tested by the BC Safety Authority.
These redundancies include;
- Generators to back up station equipment power supply;
- Second electrical power loop to back up power supply to electric drive motors on Whistler Mountain;
- Spare frequency converters and motors to run station accelerator and decelerator systems at each station;
- All bullwheels have emergency bearings which will allow bullwheels to turn for evacuation even after failure of the main bearings;
- Tire conveyors in each station can be interconnected in case of failure of one motor or converter;
- an independent evacuation drive which would move cabins into the stations in case of failure of the main drive motors or gear box;
- an independent rescue system has been designed to evacuate passengers form cabins in case of failure of the main and evacuation drive systems;
- A “state of the art” Obstacle Collision Avoidance System (OCAS) has been installed to prevent interference between ropeway and aircraft operations. BCSA has worked closely with Transport Canada to have the air space beneath the passenger ropeway designated as Restricted Airspace.
http://www.earthcam.net/users2/interface.php?i=0&id=1490&projectid=899&clientid=707
http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com/p2pg/
http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/weather/cams/index.htm
Whistler Blackcomb’s award-winning big mountain experience just got a whole lot bigger! The record-breaking new PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola links together Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains for the first time. Boasting the longest unsupported lift span in the world at 3.024 kilometres (1.88 miles), it’s also the highest lift of its kind at 415 metres / 1,361 feet. Take advantage of incredible deals on winter packages and you’ll be skiing or riding both mountains without ever touching the ground
Technical details
Speed
7.5 meters per second.
Ride Time
approximately 11 min.
Frequency
one cabin departs every 49 seconds
Total Distance
4.4km/2.73miles (straight line)
Length of Unsupported Span
3.024km/1.88 miles (straight line between the two towers that are furthest apart)
Highest Point
above the ground is 436m/1427 feet over Fitzsimmons Creek
Number of Cabins
28
Capacity of Cabins
22 seated, 6 standing
Capacity
2050 people per hour each way
Number of Towers
4 (2 on Blackcomb and 2 on Whistler)
Height of Towers
35-65 meters/100-213 feet
Track Ropes
the two stationary ropes that the cabin rides upon-each rope is 56mm in diameter. Total length of the track rope with the sag is 4600m
Haul Rope
the single rope that pulls the cars along the track ropes is 46mm in diameter. Total length of the haul rope loop with the sag is 8850m
Greg Paddon, Provincial Safety Manager of Amusement Devices and Passenger Ropeways for the BC Safety Authority was on site at the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola to inspect towers, sheaves, and the de-ropement switches on the assemblies and foundations of each of the gondola’s four lift towers. One of the most important tests is the full load test to simulate how the gondola operates with a full load of passengers.
The P2P gondola went through a full load test with three concrete blocks totaling 2250 kilograms in each Sky Cabin. With a full load, the gondola was put through various operational scenarios to check that components such as the drive systems and brakes were working as per the manufacturer’s specifications.
The 3S ropeway is a new configuration of passenger ropeway to North America but there are four others in the world like it. The 3S stands for three ropes - two track ropes and one haul rope pulling in the middle. The 3S design incorporates reversible tramway technology with detachable grip technology in a new and novel configuration.
Some advantages to the 3S Gondola system is that it is very dependable; the design allows for large rope spans with fewer towers; it has increased stability in exposure to high winds; and it supports lower energy consumption. The numerous redundancies built into the system to ensure uninterrupted operation of the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola were also tested by the BC Safety Authority.
These redundancies include;
- Generators to back up station equipment power supply;
- Second electrical power loop to back up power supply to electric drive motors on Whistler Mountain;
- Spare frequency converters and motors to run station accelerator and decelerator systems at each station;
- All bullwheels have emergency bearings which will allow bullwheels to turn for evacuation even after failure of the main bearings;
- Tire conveyors in each station can be interconnected in case of failure of one motor or converter;
- an independent evacuation drive which would move cabins into the stations in case of failure of the main drive motors or gear box;
- an independent rescue system has been designed to evacuate passengers form cabins in case of failure of the main and evacuation drive systems;
- A “state of the art” Obstacle Collision Avoidance System (OCAS) has been installed to prevent interference between ropeway and aircraft operations. BCSA has worked closely with Transport Canada to have the air space beneath the passenger ropeway designated as Restricted Airspace.
http://www.earthcam.net/users2/interface.php?i=0&id=1490&projectid=899&clientid=707
http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com/p2pg/
http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/weather/cams/index.htm