Letter: Talisker developers the real winner in SkiLink

I am grateful to Tom Richardson, a Kamas resident, for his letter extolling the virtues of SkiLink, the proposed gondola connecting Canyons skiers with Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon ("New skiing experience," Readers' Forum, Sept. 8).

Suddenly, I recognize the skier who will potentially benefit from this ski resort interconnect. We have a denizen of the Wasatch-back, either a resident or a transient, tired of skiing the bad snow over there while hearing about the fresh powder in the four resorts in the Cottonwood Canyons. She has the option of closing her ears or driving down to the valley and up one of the canyons for a day of quality skiing.

SkiLink would liberate her from her snowy cloister. According to its proponents, SkiLink would have her in powder heaven in a few restful minutes, via gondola. This scenario suggests brisk ski ticket sales at Canyons, not to mention the condo rentals and timeshare sales.

None of this would be of any significant benefit this side of the Wasatch crest. Reduction in traffic up the Cottonwood Canyon Roads? Miniscule. The principal beneficiaries from the SkiLink scheme are the Talisker developers who will be able to boast an additional 1,200 powdery acres of skiing.

John Worlock

Salt Lake City