Prospect Bowl opens with mixed reviews

Prospect Bowl opens with mixed reviews

December 27, 2001

STAFF REPORT

TELLURIDE— Skiers and snowboarders who had the good fortune of being in Telluride, on Dec. 20 caught the inaugural ride on the new Gold Hill Lift which carries passengers 1,475 vertical feet to the mountain's summit. Topping out at 12,260 feet the Gold Hill lift is one of three new Doppelmayr high-speed quads that provide access to Prospect Bowl, an additional 733 acres of new terrain that nearly doubles the size of the mountain.

"I never thought I'd see this day. It is an incredible feeling to reach a goal 30 years in the making," said Johnnie Stevens, lifetime native of Telluride and chief operating officer for the Telluride Ski & Golf Company (Telski). "I feel like a kid again...the excitement of the opening, the incredible terrain, life is pretty, darn good. I'd like to personally invite all the skiers and boarders to stop by and visit us and see this bowl first hand, you'll be blown away. With that said, it's time to go back there for a few turns!"

Bucking industry trends, Telluride has infused $14 million into Prospect Bowl to create one of the most memorable and unique experiences in ski country. Ute Park (Lift 11), with a ride time of four minutes and a 275-foot vertical rise, serves as the beginner training area. The Prospect (Lift 12) accesses intermediate and expert terrain with a five-minute ride time and a 1,050-foot vertical rise. The Gold Hill (Lift 14) covers 1,475 vertical feet in just four minutes and offers intermediate and experts breathtaking views and an expanse of steep terrain.

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.

Those local skiers who have skied it say it is good for skiers, but the new area is not all that great for snowboarding. They say the terrain is just not well suited for snowboarding.

Skiers and riders can raise their glasses and toast Prospect Bowl during the Grand Opening Celebration, Jan. 10-13. The action packed weekend includes après-ski parties, a torch light parade, fireworks, and street dance with Cabaret Diosa. The ski area also announced today that the Grand Opening Celebration will feature a concert by Big Head Todd and the Monsters appearing with a very special guest.

For more information or reservations call 1-866-287-5016 or visit www.tellurideskiresort.com . For an updated snow report call (970) 728-7425.

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.

* 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.