Note: Yesterday, we posted a letter we received about the state of I-70 in Colorado. The letter seemed to really hit a nerve because today, our inbox was flooded with emails by people who were airing their grievances. This letter is from a lady named Martha from Salt Lake City, UT.Â
Oh, my dear Unofficial,
Gondolas… As someone who appreciates both the beauty of the mountains and the convenience of modern technology, I find it deeply concerning that ski areas continue to rely on these monstrosities.
Gondolas are an absolute eyesore. They are large, industrial-looking contraptions that stick out like a sore thumb against the natural beauty of the mountains. And don’t even get me started on the fact that they make such an awful noise as they clank and grind their way up the mountain. Is it too much to ask for a little bit of elegance and quiet on the slopes?
So why does the ski area industrial complex insist on building these aesthetically atrocious structures? I mean, no one I have talked to likes them or finds them comfortable. The seats are hard, they are often hot and stuffy, and there’s really no room to move around. And don’t even get me started on the fact that you’re stuck in a tiny box with a bunch of strangers for what feels like an eternity. It’s claustrophobic and uncomfortable, and frankly, it’s miserable.
But the real issue with gondolas is the safety factor. It’s no secret that gondolas have been involved in some of the worst ski area accidents in history. And yet, ski areas continue to use these death traps without a second thought. It’s as if they care more about convenience and profit than they do about the safety of their patrons.
Ski areas would do well to reconsider their reliance on these machines and instead focus on more sustainable, safe, and elegant modes of transportation. Until then, I will be sticking to the old-fashioned method of getting up the mountain: skiing up it myself. After all, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of the wind in your hair and the snow under your skis.
