Cape Smokey Holding Signs Agreement With Leitner-Poma To Begin Construction On Atlantic Canada’s First Gondola.
Cape Smokey Holding has signed an agreement with Leitner-Poma to begin construction on atlantic canada’s first gondola.
Ski Cape Smokey is a ski hill located in the Cape Breton Highlands of Nova Scotia. Ski Cape Smokey offers 16 alpine runs, 2 lifts, hill grooming and snow making. Facilities include a lodge at the base and top of the mountain. The base lodge feature a restaurant, bar, ski school and hill offices.
Ski Cape Smokey is known for being Nova Scotia's highest elevation ski mountain at over a 320 m, 305 m of it skiable, and for its ocean views. The mountain receives an average of 381 cm of snowfall annually. However weather is often unpredictable and above freezing.
Leitner-Poma Canada, based in Ontario, will begin construction of an 8-person Gondola to replace the old chair lift of Ski Cape Smokey. The current chairlift has been inoperable for years, and is in the process of being taken down in preparation for its replacement.
This will be Atlantic Canada’s first and only gondola, providing renewed access to the entire ski hill in winter. The gondola will run year-round, to provide a new experience and views to visitors and tourists of the Cabot Trail.
Despite COVID-19, Cape Smokey’s gondola is currently scheduled to open on time, Canada Day 2021. Martin Kejval, general manager of the facility and a director with the facility’s owner, Cape Smokey Holding said “We have to prepare now for when things stabilize which will hopefully be sooner than later. We have to wait for the snow to leave first and then keep an eye on the virus. These are strange times and we can only hope this is not the new normal.”
Leitner-Poma has notable gondolas and chairlifts across the world, including Whistler, British Columbia and Banff Park, Alberta.
Ski Cape Smokey has been premier ski resort destination in Atlantic Canada for many years that delighted visitors with exceptional skiing from mountain to ocean in one of Canada's most scenic and popular destination areas. For the last 10 or more years, Ski Cape Smokey operated under the passion and perseverance of local community volunteers.
In 2019 the new owners finalized the details of purchasing the property and have great vision and plans for Cape Smokey. Cape Smokey Holdings committed to limited operation of the Ski Hill and lodge facilities for the 2019 / 2020 season as a transition year and as an opportunity for all who have fond memories to come see the old lodge and hill one last season before re-development begins.
