Grouse Mountain launches new open-air platform gondola ride

There's a new way to go up Grouse Mountain.

For extra cash, people cannow take in 360-degreeviews from on anopen-air platform on the roof of the gondolaas the gondola ascends to the peak chalet.

The Skyride Surf Adventure can carry six passengersat a timeand a guide, and it's opening, Friday.

"The incredible views and breathtaking heights offer a whole new way to experience our iconic Skyride," saidJulia Grant, communications manager for GrouseMountain.

TheSkyrideSurfAdventure will not travel on dayswith high winds or rain, Grant said. It operates at a speed of 3.3 metres per second.

At the moment, you can only take the Skyrideon the way up on one of the gondolas, but Grantsays Grouse Mountainplans to make a downhill experience available soon, as well as increase capacity by adding an open-air platform to the second gondola.

Adult tickets cost $79.99 for a one-way ride and include access to activities on the mountain.