A Response to Ski Utah CEO Nathan Rafferty’s April 2025 Pro-Gondola Op-Ed in the Tribune
Nathan Rafferty’s recent defense of the Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) gondola project attempts to “clear up misconceptions”—but mostly recycles half-truths and misinformation that favor those who stand to make millions off taxpayer dollars.
The Real Cost
The often-quoted $521M price tag for the gondola? It’s a fantasy. That number excludes the $241M already slated for temporary bus improvements that will be scrapped once the gondola is operational. So we’re starting off deep in the hole.
The Wasatch Front Regional Council, which includes UDOT’s own executive director Carlos Braceras, is responsible for regional transportation cost planning. In 2023, it took UDOT’s estimate and adjusted it for improved realism estimating the gondola’s true cost at $1.4B. Even that’s likely low. UDOT itself admitted a 118% Phase 1 cost overrun—jumping from $110M to $241M—before a single shovel hit dirt.
For context: UDOT just announced the Davis County I-15 expansion will cost twice the original estimate. Anyone who thinks this gondola ends at $1.4B is dreaming.
Who Pays? You Do.
There’s no mention of private funding in UDOT’s plan. None. The entire proposal is based on public tax dollars. To suggest otherwise is, frankly, misleading. If private equity believed this project had a return on investment, they’d be throwing cash at it. They aren’t.
Instead, every Utah household—whether in Blanding or Provo—will effectively pay $1,200 for the gondola. Even those who’ve never been to a ski resort. And you’re not just paying later — you’re paying right now. Sales tax revenue is already being set aside to bankroll this.
Who Benefits? Not You.
The gondola stops at only two resorts: Snowbird and Alta. So if you’re a climber, hiker, backcountry skier, or anyone just trying to enjoy the canyon outside a lift-serviced resort, the gondola does nothing for you.
Proponents argue the ski industry brings $2 billion annually to the state. But let’s add perspective—nine other sectors generate far more, ranging from $7B to $47B. Only a non-disclosed fraction of the skiing revenue comes from LCC, and yet the public is footing a $1.4B+ bill to serve two private businesses. Why?
Who Profits? The Already-Rich.
Ski resort owners and developers who own land at the gondola’s base stand to make a fortune. They’re already marketing “ski-in/ski-out” multi-million dollar lots—well before construction starts.
These developers—two former elected officials—have lobbied for public dollars that will inflate their land value. This isn’t investment. It’s wealth transfer—from every Utah taxpayer to a handful of special interests. A public-funded, state-supported real estate boost disguised as a transit solution.
The “Reliability” Myth
Supporters claim the gondola is more reliable than road or bus. That’s fiction.
Even they admit it can’t run in winds above 60 mph and, like all aerial cable-driven systems in alpine settings, it’s vulnerable to icing—conditions common in Little Cottonwood. The Snowbird tram has already proven that these gondola-style systems are susceptible to both. Also, it won’t run during interlodge (threats of avalanche) when reliability matters most.
Emergency evacuation? Forget it. Medical professionals won’t risk transporting critical patients via a gondola that takes too long or in a system lacking life stabilizing equipment that could break down enroute. Current emergency options—on-site clinics, the local fire station EMTs and currently-used Life Flight helicopters—are safer, faster, and more reliable.
Traffic Relief? Not Even Close.
UDOT’s own design specifications limit the gondola to moving just 1,050 people per hour—the same as improved busing. Despite the hype, it offers zero capacity gain.
Even worse, UDOT predicts vehicle traffic in the canyon will rise 47% by 2050, while the gondola removes only 30%. Translation: after spending over $1.4B, traffic will be worse than it is today.
Environmental Red Flags
Environmentally, it’s no slam dunk either. Salt Lake City’s Municipal Water District opposes the gondola due to potential harm to LCC watershed that provides drinking water to 450,000 valley residents. Building 22 massive towers threatens both water quality and the canyon’s ecological integrity. Large infrastructure projects, like this one, often trigger a wave of additional development, further pressuring fragile natural resources.
The “Safety” Illusion
Yes, canyon safety is a concern—but let’s talk facts. UDOT’s traffic consultants show Highway 210 (up LCC) is safer than Wasatch Boulevard leading to it. No one’s proposing a $1.4B gondola for that.
The Better Solution
Implement the enhanced busing option—more frequent schedules, optimized routes, variable tolling, parking reservations, and no on-highway parking—encourage transit use and higher vehicle occupancy, making access to the canyon more efficient and enjoyable for all visitors.
Bottom line: This isn’t about safety, environment, or transportation. It’s about government overreach and wasteful spending enriching a few while everyone else foots the bill. Utahns deserve better.
