Southeastern "skier" here - we take an annual trip (or more) out to LCC as well. I don't have much of a dog in this hunt but very interested in this discussion because we love Alta and Snowbird, how could you not? It has become somewhat of a winter home away from home. As a travel in resort skier - I don't think we've ever been shut out of a resort night (not being able to get UP the Canyon), or even missed a flight home (get down) because of storm timing, probably just lucky <knock on wood>. We have been Interlogen multiple times and, gotta say for south easterners that is one of the most magical things about the place. I've not been there for multi-day plus interlogens though and know friends that have, that could get a little old.Same if you are staying up in LCC and you can't get out to catch your flight home because of a storm. The gondola option taking a sheltered line up the center of the canyon adds more certainty that you'll get the experience you came for and reliable access up and down the canyon through fair and foul weather.
Anyway - I was thinking about this idea you expressed Jim and watching the videos - looks like the intent is you park, get ready for ski, gear, backpack - and hop on the Gondola at the canyon base. I.e. replacing the big lots of AltaBird portion of your day, not to mention the potentially hrs long bumper to bumper stress grind up the canyon.
By contrast, I don't see showing up via taxi/uber/bus from Airport with the kids and a bunch of suitcases and ski boxes and jump on the gondi to get off at your condo/hotel - in fact that seems very impractical if not impossible. Seems clear us ski tourists that stay at the resorts or in local houses/condos are the targeted "market" here. So I'm inclined to think the experience degredation argument due to "reliable" overcrowding is a legitimate one.
Edit to add - I'd take the gondola at least once or twice anyway because I always gape and gawk up and down LCC and wish I could see more of it, slower.