Colorado's Tallest Indoor Climbing Wall on the Rise in Snowmass Base Village
SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo. (PRWEB) July 25, 2018 -- Work is underway on what will be Colorado’s tallest indoor rock-realistic climbing wall, towering 54 feet high and running directly up the front of the new Limelight Hotel in Snowmass, part of the $600 million Snowmass Base Village project.
The massive climbing wall is encased in a five-story glass tower and will be unveiled when the Limelight Hotel and Residences opens later this year. Its granite-like surface will mirror featured climbs near Snowmass, including the popular Grotto area on Independence Pass.
Boulder-based Eldorado Climbing Walls designed and is constructing the striking structure that will feature an auto-belay system with three different lanes and six routes. It is designed to challenge climbers of all levels.
“It’s pretty unique to have this size of wall anywhere. When unveiled it will be an amazing piece of climbable art and a hub of activity for Base Village,” said Christina Frain, Eldorado’s director of sales and marketing. “Experienced climbers will be impressed and want to climb this rock, while beginner and intermediate climbers will be able to use their imagination and climb per their skill level.”
The wall is the brainchild of East West Partners’ Managing Partner Andy Gunion and Vice President of Sales and Marketing John Calhoun who said that when they began work on the Limelight Hotel and Residences building they recognized the opportunity to do something spectacular that ties both the Limelight Hotel and the larger Snowmass Base Village project to the surrounding environment.
“We wanted to do something different and unique, something you don’t normally see in a hotel or mountain town,” said Calhoun. “At more than 50 feet in height, it will be the centerpiece of the new Base Village and entice our guests and their families to challenge and accomplish amazing feats, and allow our local climbers to test themselves year round.”
The installation process, which began last month, has been strategically planned as work is taking place in an active construction site. Eldorado Project Forman Wayne Collins says the work has been very deliberate. Some facts about the project include:
- 47 wall shapes made in Boulder were shipped to Snowmass to act as the skeletal structure for the wall, which is being built on-site.
- Approximately 23 cubic yards of concrete was sprayed to create the actual structure.
- Eldorado’s wall artists and iron workers shaped and molded the wall into its rock-realistic form, including brushing and scraping to create holds and other features.
- 725 holes/nuts placed up the wall create a system of climbing holds to allow for a variety of routes.
- The rock has been painted to look like local granite rock.
- The final piece will be the installation of the auto-belay system and flooring, which will occur prior the Limelight Hotel’s opening.
“Working on a climbing wall this tall has its challenges anywhere,” said Collins. “Working on such a structure in an active construction site has added complexities, but we’ve enjoyed every minute. It’s gratifying to watch such a structure of art be built.”
He added,” We really believe it will have everything experienced climbers and those new to the sport will want.”
The climbing wall is scheduled to open to the public at the Snowmass Base Village and Limelight Hotel Grand Opening Celebration on December 15, 2018.
Only five Limelight Residences remain for sale featuring both two-and three-bedroom floorplans. All offer amazing views of the mountain slopes or plaza and place you in the center of all the action happening in the Limelight Hotel and Base Village.
The Snowmass Base Village project is a collaboration between three Colorado-based players in the mountain resort business including East West Partners, Aspen Skiing Company and KSL Capital. Located at the a base of Snowmass Ski Resort, the project includes 99 rooms and 11 residences in the new Limelight Hotel; the Lumin Residences, featuring three showcase penthouses; One Snowmass with 41 residences spread across two buildings; a community center building and the new Base Village public plaza, which will showcase an ice rink that turns into a summer events lawn, pop-up children’s fountains and expanded retail and dining.
Sheryl Barto, O Communications, http://www.ocommunications.net, 9707041112, [email protected]
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