Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SNOWBIRD -- The newest summer attraction coming to Utah could soon be a roller coaster going up and down in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Following a public hearing Wednesday, the Salt Lake County Planning Commission gave Snowbird resort preliminary approval to build a coaster on the slopes of Mount Superior.
According to documents Snowbird filed with Salt Lake County, the track would be raised off the ground on a trestle-like structure varying from 2 feet to 13 feet high, depending on the terrain.
The base of the thrill ride would be near the Snowbird Center and the Cliff Lodge in the vicinity of the ski resort's Chickadee bunny slope. A cable will pull riders to the top of the coaster, a linear distance of about 1,000 feet. Gravity will then take over, pulling riders down a curving 3,300-foot track that drops nearly 400 feet in elevation as it winds its way back to the starting point.
"This is an important project for us to help keep our company competitive and a competitive business," said Snowbird General Manager Bob Bonar, "and will also help to contribute to the local economy and local tourism." The resort will build a bridge over SR-210, which it says is being designed to have minimal visual impact to the area.
Tom Stevens expressed opposition to the plan Wednesday. He said building a bridge for the ride would ruin the scenic beauty of the canyon.
"Everyone driving up the canyon and everyone driving down the canyon will be faced with this bridge that is going over the state highway for one reason only, and that is to accommodate an amusement ride in Little Cottonwood Canyon," he said.
Building a mountain coaster takes away from children experiencing the remarkable beauty of the mountains and canyons, Joshua Stewart told the commission.
Eric Hobday told the commission the ride would create a circus-like atmosphere that was inappropriate to the area. Carl Fisher, executive director of Save Our Canyons, asked the commission to deny Snowbird's request, saying the roller coaster is out of character for the area it is being proposed.
Snowbird says it chose the slopes of Mount Superior because that area is rarely used by hikers and backcountry skiers.
The coaster would be entirely on private land.
E-mail: vvo-duc@ksl.com
