National Geographic’s, Man Made: Rocky Mountain Sky Tram

I know some of you out there probably don’t own televisions, out of some sort of resistance to main stream life (personally, I like to occasionally veg-out in front of the tube), but those that do, be sure to watch “Man Made: Rocky Mountain Sky Tram” on the National Geographic Channel this Thursday at 6pm MST. The show will focus on the construction of the new tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. This actually looks pretty interesting…mainly because it’s about skiing…and because it’s from our back yard. But it’s also cool because as lay people, we rarely get to see the ins and outs of what goes into building a tram.  (X-Chris…this is your chance at stardom! :wink: )

For all you JH locals, there will be a party to celebrate and watch the show
starting at 5:30pm at Nick Wilson’s at the base of the ski area. Word!

For over 40 years the Big Red Box at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, carried skiers, hikers, paragliders, and sightseers up to the 3200 meter (10,600 ft) summit of Rendezvous Mountain. But nothing lasts forever, so when cable inspector Norm Duke found evidence of stress fractures inside the aging steel track cables, there was no choice but to tear down and replace Jacksons iconic aerial tram. At a cost of $31 million, this 2-year mega-construction project is a top-to-bottom, state-of-the-art replacement. It will operate in 120-kph (75 mph) winds and 25-below zero Celsius (near zero Fahrenheit) temperatures, all with the quiet precision of a giant Swiss watch. Construction crews battled a record-breaking snowfall, zero visibility, high winds, and nearly impassable mud-slick mountain roads to build its five towers and two terminals, and string miles of heavy steel cable. Filmed over a 2-year period, from Swiss factories to the mountains and towns of western Wyoming, Super Ski Lift tells the compelling story of dedicated men who risk their lives in a battle to finish this state of the art megastructure before winter closes in.

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6 Responses to “National Geographic’s, Man Made: Rocky Mountain Sky Tram”


  1. 1 Dax Jan 6th, 2010 at 10:30 am

    Steve,

    There’s a huge football game on at 6pm on Thursday! Texas Longhorns vs Alabama…come on get your priorities straight! National Championship!

  2. 2 randosteve Jan 6th, 2010 at 2:02 pm

    i guess that is what a dvr is for dax.

  3. 3 Peter Pilafian Jan 7th, 2010 at 11:08 am

    Thanks, Steve, for getting the word out. After spending over two years producing and shooting this documentary, I was starting to feel like it was my permanent job, or maybe even a new career! So now I am stoked that it is on TV in the US (It actually aired in Europe etc, earlier this fall). LMK if you want to help me write a companion how-to book called “Tram Building for Dummies” - it could be a best seller! Hope to see you at the party.

  4. 4 randosteve Jan 7th, 2010 at 4:04 pm

    hehehe…that would be funny peter! might not make it to the party…but i’m gonna try to watch the show!!!!

  5. 5 Dolores Jury Jan 10th, 2010 at 10:12 am

    Can I purchase the video Man Made Rocky Mountain Tram

  6. 6 randosteve Jan 11th, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    dolores…you will be able to buy it soon. find it at cabletothesky.com.

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