Prospect Bowl officially opens

Prospect Bowl officially opens

Dec 22, 2001

STAFF REPORT

TELLURIDE — On Thursday, Dec. 20, Prospect Bowl made its grand debut with three new Doppelmayr high-speed detachable quads carrying skiers and boarders into a diversity of new terrain that nearly doubles the size of the mountain.

Included in the day's activities was a ribbon cutting, sacred Ute Indian Blessing and dedication of Andy's Gold, a run named for Andy Hanley, the beloved former mayor of Mountain Village, avid skier and outdoor enthusiast.

"It is an incredible feeling to see a vision 30 years in the making come to fruition," said Johnnie Stevens, chief operating officer for the Telluride Ski & Golf Company (Telski). "You have no idea the tremendous effort it took to create this unbelievable mountain experience. I want to personally thank everyone who helped make this project a reality. I'd recommend for everyone to strap on their skis or board, get back there and be prepared to be blown away. "

With 17 new trails named to reflect Telluride's rich history, Prospect Bowl showcases the authenticity and unique character of the former Victorian-era mining town.

From May Girl to Magnolia to Little Maude, each trail carries the name of a historic mill or mining claim. The two entry gates into Prospect Bowl at the top of Ute Park and Lift 5 are fashioned after a rustic mine shaft.

With a ride time of four minutes and a 275-foot vertical rise, Ute Park (Lift 11) serves as the beginner training area. Prospect (Lift 12) accesses intermediate and expert terrain with a five-minute ride time and a 1,050-foot vertical rise. Topping out at 12,260 feet, Gold Hill (Lift 14) offers advanced intermediate and experts breathtaking views and an expanse of steep terrain. Gold Hill carries passengers 1,475 feet to its summit in just 4 minutes. The Lynx (Lift 13) is a surface lift that provides an egress out of Prospect Bowl to Lifts 1 & 10. High Camp, a cozy warming hut above the new Ski Patrol Building at the top of the Prospect Lift, offers skiers and riders a casual spot to enjoy a sandwich, snacks or warm up with a hot beverage.

A variety of festivities and activities were scheduled for the kick off the opening of Propsect Bowl. The action got under way with a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony at the top of Andy's Gold off the Gold Hill Lift. Immediately following, a group of Ute Indians congregated at the top of Station St. Sophia to perform a blessing of the new terrain.

Skiers and riders who rode the new lifts were rewarded with a variety of prizes and goodies throughout the day.

When the lifts stopped running, the fun moved inside to the Wildflour for an Apres Ski Party. Local bartenders gathered to unveil their special creations for the "Prospect Bowl Cocktail Contest." A panel of judges voted on the tastiest cocktail to be served all winter long in local bars and restaurants.

As of Thursday, all lifts on the mountain (except the Lynx Lift in Prospect Bowl and Lift 2) are running, accessing 90 percent of the mountain's terrain. The backcountry access gate are now open.

Here are the Prospect Bowl Statistics:

Adds an additional 733-acres of lift-served terrain, nearly doubling the size of the Telluride mountain
Terrain varies from gentle rolling slopes to challenging steeps.
Increased lift served vertical rise from 3,250 feet to 3,530 feet.
Northern exposure in Prospect Bowl creates greater snowfall averages
With the new terrain, Telluride has 25 percent beginner, 36 percent intermediate and 39 percent intermediate/expert terrain.
The addition of Prospect Bowl gives Telluride a total of 81 trails and 16 lifts (2 high speed gondolas, 7 high speed quads, 2 triples, 2 doubles, 2 surface lifts and 1 magic carpet).