Mountain chairlifts transform from winter transportation into summer sightseeing adventures, offering elevated perspectives that hiking trails simply can’t match. These aerial rides provide access to alpine restaurants, hiking trails, and observation decks while delivering spectacular views without the physical demands of steep climbs.
Summer chairlift operations have expanded dramatically across North America, turning ski resorts into year-round destinations. Here is a list of 15 scenic chairlift rides that operate during the summer months.
Whistler Village Gondola
The 28-minute ride from Whistler Village carries passengers 3,000 feet up Whistler Mountain, providing panoramic views of the Coastal Mountain Range and five glacier-fed lakes below. Eight-person gondolas glide smoothly above dense forest canopies before emerging into alpine terrain dotted with wildflower meadows.
The mountaintop features the Roundhouse Lodge, hiking trails, and the famous Peak 2 Peak gondola connection. Summer operations typically run from mid-June through early October, weather permitting.
Telluride Gondola
This free gondola ride connects the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village in Colorado, soaring over a 10,500-foot mountain pass with sweeping views of the San Juan Mountains. The 13-minute ride features large windows for taking in the rugged alpine terrain, waterfalls, and dramatic cliffs.
Popular among hikers and bikers, the gondola also serves as a car-free commuter route. Summer operations run daily, offering stunning sunsets and access to mid-mountain trails and dining.
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Sandia Peak Tramway
Albuquerque’s famous tramway stretches 2.7 miles across desert canyons and pine forests, climbing from 6,559 feet to 10,378 feet above sea level. The 15-minute journey offers views spanning 11,000 square miles on clear days, extending from the Rio Grande Valley to distant mountain ranges.
Two large gondolas operate year-round, though summer provides the clearest visibility and most comfortable temperatures at the summit observation area and restaurant. The dramatic landscape shift from high desert to alpine forest creates a unique southwestern mountain experience.
Grandfather Mountain Mile High Swinging Bridge
Though technically accessed by a scenic chairlift system, the real attraction sits at 5,305 feet elevation, where visitors cross America’s highest suspension footbridge. The chairlift journey through North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains reveals layers of ancient peaks stretching toward Tennessee.
Wildlife viewing opportunities include black bears, white-tailed deer, and over 130 bird species visible during the chairlift ride. The swinging bridge itself spans an 80-foot chasm, providing heart-pounding views while demonstrating why this peak earned its distinctive name.
Stowe Gondola SkyRide
Vermont’s longest gondola ride takes 25 minutes to reach the summit of Mount Mansfield, the state’s highest peak at 4,393 feet. Eight-passenger gondolas travel through maple and birch forests that explode with color during fall foliage season, though summer rides offer equally impressive green canopy views.
The Adventure Center at the top features zip lines, an alpine slide, and scenic hiking trails leading to additional viewpoints. Clear days provide visibility extending to Montreal’s skyline roughly 75 miles north.
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Banff Gondola
Rising 2,292 feet above the town of Banff in four minutes, this Canadian Rockies experience delivers some of North America’s most spectacular mountain scenery. The fully enclosed four-person gondolas protect passengers from mountain weather while providing floor-to-ceiling windows for unobstructed photography.
At the upper terminal, multiple observation decks offer perspectives of surrounding peaks and valleys within Banff National Park. The mountaintop boardwalk system allows visitors to explore various viewpoints without difficult hiking.
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway
New Hampshire’s 80-passenger tramway climbs 2,022 feet to reach the 4,080-foot summit in just five minutes of steep ascent. The ride through White Mountain National Forest provides glimpses of moose, deer, and various bird species among dense hardwood forests.
Summit facilities include an observation tower adding another 70 feet of elevation for even more expansive views across four states. On exceptionally clear days, visitors can spot the Atlantic Ocean roughly 100 miles east.
Snowbird Aerial Tram
Utah’s steepest tram ride gains 2,900 vertical feet while traveling only 1.6 miles horizontally, creating an incredibly steep 35-degree average grade. The 125-passenger cars provide views of the Wasatch Range’s dramatic granite peaks and Hidden Peak’s 11,000-foot summit.
Summer wildflower displays peak in July and August, covering alpine meadows in vibrant colors visible from the tram windows. The base elevation of 8,100 feet means cooler temperatures even during hot valley days.
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Alyeska Aerial Tram
Located in Girdwood, Alaska, this tram climbs from the base of Alyeska Resort to a 2,300-foot-high observation deck with panoramic views of Turnagain Arm, hanging glaciers, and alpine ridgelines. The seven-minute ride offers a dramatic introduction to Alaska’s Chugach Range.
At the top, guests can enjoy a mountaintop bistro, short hiking trails, and interpretive signs about local wildlife and geology. The long summer daylight hours make this one of the most scenic and extended-view rides in North America.
Heavenly Gondola
Lake Tahoe’s longest gondola ride covers 2.4 miles while climbing 2,400 vertical feet, providing unmatched views of America’s largest alpine lake. The journey begins in South Lake Tahoe and rises through pine forests before reaching observation decks overlooking the entire Tahoe Basin.
On clear days, visibility extends across the lake to distant Sierra Nevada peaks, creating a classic California mountain experience. The upper terminal features hiking trails, disc golf, and scenic picnic areas perfect for extended mountain visits.
Wildcat Mountain Gondola
Across from New Hampshire’s Mount Washington, the Wildcat Express Gondola ascends 2,000 vertical feet to a summit with head-on views of Mount Washington and Tuckerman Ravine. This ride through White Mountain National Forest offers sweeping views of granite cliffs, deep valleys, and hardwood forests.
At the summit, visitors can picnic, hike the Appalachian Trail, or simply soak in views from one of the region’s most iconic lookout points.
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Killington Gondola
Vermont’s longest chairlift system operates multiple interconnected lifts, providing access to several mountain peaks and hiking trail networks. The main gondola covers significant vertical terrain while passing through diverse forest communities and occasional wildlife viewing opportunities.
Summer operations focus on mountain biking, hiking, and scenic dining at elevation, with the Beast Mountain Coaster providing additional entertainment. The extensive trail system means visitors can customize their mountain experience based on desired activity levels and time constraints.
Steamboat Resort Gondola
Colorado’s Steamboat Resort operates a scenic eight-passenger gondola during summer months, ferrying guests from the base area to Thunderhead Lodge at 9,080 feet. The ride passes over aspen groves and open meadows, often filled with blooming wildflowers and grazing deer.
At the top, visitors can access hiking trails with panoramic views of the Yampa Valley or enjoy mountaintop dining with fresh alpine air. Summer sunset gondola rides are particularly popular for photographers and romantics alike.
Stratton Gondola
Southern Vermont’s Stratton Mountain operates an extensive summer chairlift system serving hikers, mountain bikers, and sightseers throughout the warmer months. The main gondola provides access to the 3,936-foot summit, where a fire tower adds additional elevation for enhanced views.
The mountain’s location near the Massachusetts border means visitors often spot familiar landmarks from new aerial perspectives. Multiple chairlifts create options for different skill levels and interests, from gentle scenic rides to access points for challenging hiking trails.
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Sugarbush Resort Gondola
The Mad River Valley’s premier mountain resort operates chairlifts on both Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen, providing diverse summer experiences across two distinct summit areas. The gondola systems access extensive hiking trail networks, mountain biking trails, and alpine dining options while delivering classic Vermont mountain scenery.
Views extend across the Mad River Valley to distant ranges, with the patchwork of farms and forests creating quintessential New England landscapes. Both mountains offer different perspectives of the same region, making multi-lift visits worthwhile for serious mountain enthusiasts.
Rising Above the Ordinary
These summer chairlift experiences prove that mountain adventures don’t require hiking boots or extreme physical conditioning to be memorable. The combination of effortless elevation gain and spectacular scenery creates accessible outdoor experiences for visitors of all ages and abilities.
Whether seeking family-friendly sightseeing or launching points for serious hiking adventures, summer chairlift operations transform ski mountains into year-round destinations that showcase America’s most beautiful elevated landscapes. The investment in summer operations by mountain resorts has democratized alpine experiences, allowing millions of visitors to rise above ordinary perspectives literally.
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