Park City gondola art sparks conversation on diversity and access to skiing

Deirdra Walsh and Lamont Joseph White pose in front of his artwork on the Quicksilver Gondola, which had its winter unveiling December 20, 2023. Photo: TownLift

Take a ride on the Quicksilver Gondola, and check out Lamont Joseph White's recent gondola art installation "UPLIFTED", all while getting access between Park City Mountain and Canyons Village.

PARK CITY, Utah — Dec. 20 marked the winter unveiling of the Gondola Gallery by Epic at Park City Mountain, with a celebration honoring the artist behind the work and its significance, which extends beyond aesthetics.

Epic for Everyone, a youth access program, is set on reducing access barriers for kids wishing to ski and snowboard. To expand its message, Vail recently launched the Gondola Gallery to provide artists a gondola as their canvas to create outdoor art installations showcasing the diverse backgrounds of skiers and snowboarders. The recent gondola art installation at Park City Mountain features the work of Lamont Joseph White and his meaningful tributes to individuals driving inclusion in outdoor spaces.

The Gondola Gallery, which is currently at Park City Mountain, Stowe Mountain Resort and Whistler Blackcomb, aims to extend an inclusive invitation to all, and foster conversations about breaking down barriers in the skiing and snowboarding community. A series of films, chronicling each artist’s personal journey and the creation of their artwork, is available for streaming on the Epic Pass website. The Whistler Blackcomb installation and film series are set for release in the spring of the coming year.

About Park City Mountain’s artist

Lamont Joseph White, a painter from Manhattan now residing in Park City, uses his canvas to bring attention to representation and inclusion in skiing. His painting collection, “Skiing in Color,” launched in 2020, sets the stage for his latest creation, “UPLIFTED.” Wrapped around the Quicksilver Gondola’s cabin in Park City, the piece features three different people, sparking conversations through his polyptych artwork.

“My art represents a goal, which is the normalization of Black and Brown faces in ski and mountain spaces. That goal is my inspiration for this piece. These are the spaces I live and recreate in,” said White. “My hope is that viewers and riders feel uplifted by my work, whether that’s feelings of joy, challenge, inclusion, or other emotions.”

As part of Lamont White’s dedication to celebrating inclusion, he painted two notable individuals on the gondola cabins. Quincy Shannon, a reverend, a skiing enthusiast, and advocate for inclusive outdoor access, has been a driving force in breaking down barriers to entry. White’s portrayal of Shannon on the gondola is a tribute to his relentless efforts in making the outdoors accessible for everyone, including Shannon’s most recent GoFundMe to help purchase a charter bus to help bring people to the mountains.

Jen Picarazzi, a Salt Lake-based skier who frequents the Wasatch Back ski areas, is another inspiring figure featured in White’s gondola art. Known for her passion for skiing and commitment to fostering a welcoming environment on the slopes, Jen’s representation on the gondola cabin speaks to the importance of diverse voices in shaping the ski culture.

Beyond the gondola, Lamont’s pieces will be showcased at Miner’s Camp and available for purchase as posters in Park City Mountain retail shops.