Peak Pressure - A documentary film about Little Cottonwood Canyon

Nestled within Utah’s breathtaking Wasatch mountains, Little Cottonwood Canyon is renowned worldwide for its unparalleled skiing conditions, iconic climbing routes, and scenic trails. Adjacent to the metropolitan region of Salt Lake Valley, the canyon offers a uniquely accessible destination for year-round recreation while also serving as the valley’s primary watershed. However, the influx in visitation over the last decade has resulted in persistent traffic congestion. The single two-lane highway weaving up the canyon is regularly at capacity, and Little Cottonwood Canyon is home to 64 avalanche paths that threaten over half of the road, often adding to significant delays.

In response to these challenges, the Utah Department of Transportation initiated an Environmental Impact Statement in 2018 to explore potential solutions. Gondola Alternative B was announced in late 2023 as the preferred alternative. Spanning over 8 miles and supported by 22 towers, the proposed gondola would provide transportation from the canyon base to Snowbird and Alta ski resorts. While commended as a means to alleviate congestion, the gondola's proposal has sparked intense debate among the local community and experts, who have raised crucial questions about its environmental impact and effectiveness. In this short documentary film, experts and stewards of Little Cottonwood Canyon share their knowledge on the issue and explore the delicate balance of progress and preservation in this beloved landscape.

LIST OF TALENT:

Name: Craig Gordon
Role: Utah Avalanche Center Forecaster

Name: Jim Steenburg
Role: Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah

Name: Grace Tyler
Role: Save Our Canyons Development Director

Name: Chris Cawley
Roll: Town of Alta Town Manager

Name: Devin Weder
Role: Utah Department of Transportation Cottonwood Canyons Transit Project Manager

Name: Kim Shelly
Role: Executive Director at Utah Department of Environmental Quality

LOCATION INFORMATION

Wasatch National Forest, UT
Alta, UT
Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT
Salt Lake City, UT


CREDITS

Directed By: Julia St. Andre, Lindsey Peters, Jack Hollis, Ellis Beacom, Nick Davis, Liam Rosten, Gage Versteeg, Sutton Becker
Producer: Craig Wirth
Director of Photography: Sutton Becker
Additional Cinematography & Drone: Julia St. Andre, Lindsey Peters, Jack Hollis, Ellis Beacom, Nick Davis, Liam Rosten, Gage Versteeg, Sutton Becker
Written by: Julia St. Andre, Lindsey Peters, Jack Hollis, Ellis Beacom, Nick Davis, Sutton Becker
Story Editor: Julia St Andre, Lindsay Peters, Sutton Becker
Post Production: Sutton Becker
Edited by: Sutton Becker, Lindsay Peters
Score: Ellis Beacom, Sutton Becker
Sound Design & Mix: Sutton Becker
Colourist: Sutton Becker

Avalanche Footage: ABC 4 TV
Archival Film Footage: ABC 4 TV
Archival Photos: Marriot Library Special Collections

SPECIAL THANKS:
Little Cottonwood Canyon
Craig Wirth
The Town of Alta
The University of Utah

PRODUCED AS A DOCUMENTARY BY THE STUDENTS IN DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION 4560 AT THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH