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What Is a Chondola?

By , About.com Guide

Definition: A chondola is a hybrid ski and snowboard lift that uses both a high-speed detachable chairlift and an enclosed gondola car, giving riders a choice between being exposed to the elements or completely enclosed in a weather-proof cabin. They have recently begun popping up at ski and snowboard resorts worldwide, most notably at resorts like Sunday River in Maine and Northstar at Tahoe Resort in California.

Chondola's have become popular because they allow a resort to utilize the lift for both daytime and nighttime activities (nighttime temperatures are often too low for chairlift operation), and because they can accommodate both skiers and non-skiers alike.

Pronunciation: [chahn-doh-luh]
Also Known As: None
Alternate Spellings: None
Common Misspellings: Chon-dola
Examples:
Sunday River has many different types of chairlifts, including one chondola.

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