Opening of new gondola at Silver Star celebrated

More than 5,000 people made their way to Silver Star Mountain Resort near Vernon on Saturday to celebrate the official opening of the resort’s new-high speed gondola, the D.R. Schumann Summit Express.

With 21 cars in operation at present, more than 1,200 people — six at a time — can ride to the top in about five minutes. There are plans to add 20 cars to the lift.

Brian Lewis of the Okanagan Indian Band said “52 years ago, there wasn’t much up here. There have been big changes to this mountain, which we regard as a sacred place.”

Eric Foster, MLA for Vernon-Monashee, recalled there was a time when he couldn’t buy a cup of coffee on the mountain in the summer.

“This is a great addition to the mountain and guests will come from all over the world,” he said.

Jim Anderson of Dopplemayr Canada presented resort officials with a bronze bell forged in Austria.

Ken Derpak, the resort’s managing director, spoke of his friend Desmond Robert Shumann, after whom the new gondola is named. Shumann bought Big White first and later added Silver Star.

Derpak read a message from Jimmy Spenser, the president of the Canada West Ski Areas Association, who called Shumann, “a great man, an astute businessman” before unveiling a plaque honouring him at the entrance of the gondola. It reads in part: “You inspired us to explore freely and enriched our lives, our love for the mountain and our passion to exceed expectations . . . thank you.”

The official ribbon was cut by eight-year-old Isabell Cann, the great-granddaughter of Schumann, accompanied by grandson Robbie Cann and daughter Jane Cann.

In addition to a free ride on the gondola, the huge crowd was treated to free smokies, free snow cones, a bouncy castle, games and live music.