With a legion of skiers and boarders anxiously waiting, Winter Park Resort said Saturday it is “optimistic” that its new 10-person gondola will be ready for Christmas. The high-speed ride, simply called The Gondola, takes just five minutes from top to bottom, the resort’s website states. It’s a brand new lift system, one of only three in the county, the resort said. The project has been a “complex undertaking,” the resort stated. “We understand everyone, including us, has been anxiously awaiting The Gondola opening, and we apologize for not being more transparent about its status,” Winter Park’s website stated. Daily updates will now appear on the resort’s website by 2 p.m. This will be Winter Park’s first gondola, and it comes as part of the resort’s $30 million summer improvement project. Mountain staffers have been performing safety checks on the lift and anticipate doing a weight-bearing check Sunday. Related Articles Winter Park ski train gets lounge car with beer, wine and intoxicating views The best après-ski spot in North America is in Steamboat Springs, according to USA Today Denver will have money to take care of its mountain parks — and needs to do so Winter Park Resort named best ski resort in North America 7 places to grab slopeside food while skiing in Colorado