Copper Mountain resort in Colorado (USA) could soon be breaking a world record. As part of a vast expansion project, the resort is planning to build a chairlift to 4,027 metres above sea level on Jacque Peak, which would make it the highest chairlift in the world.
An additional 200 hectares of track will be added to the current 1,470 hectares, Copper Mountain is determined to strengthen its appeal and competitiveness against other major North American resorts.
Six new ski lifts will be built, in addition to upgrading eight existing facilities.
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But the centrepiece of this future development remains the chairlift, which will enable skiers to reach the slopes of the eastern side of Jacque Peak, culminating at 4,027 metres. An altitude that would make Copper Mountain part of winter sports history, setting a new record for a chairlift.
A world record in sight?
If the project goes ahead, Copper Mountain will surpass Breckenridgeanother Colorado resort, where the Imperial Express chairlift currently holds the record for the highest chairlift in the world at 3,913 metres.
Around the world, some cable cars and gondolas climb even higher. In South America, the Mérida cable car in Venezuela reaches 4,765 metres.
In Asia, the Glacier Dagu cable car in China reaches a height of 4,840 metres, while the El Alto cable car in Bolivia connects the heights of La Paz at 4,150 metres. However, these installations are very different from a chairlift, which exposes skiers directly to the extreme conditions of altitude.
A project still under study
For the time being, this chairlift remains a preliminary project. Copper Mountain still has a number of stages to go through before it can obtain the necessary permits and finalise its development plan.
In the meantime, the resort is already preparing for a busy winter, as it will be hosting the Alpine Skiing World Cup in November.
The latest sporting news will further raise Copper Mountain's profile, before perhaps propelling it to the top for good... both literally and figuratively.
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