Chairlifts aren’t just for skiers anymore. These aerial tramways provide access to mountain peaks, scenic overlooks, and hiking trails while delivering spectacular views during the ride itself. Year-round operations mean visitors can experience different seasons from the same elevated perspective, watching landscapes transform from snow-covered winter wonderlands to summer’s green valleys and autumn’s brilliant foliage displays.
Many mountain resorts have discovered that scenic chairlift rides attract visitors throughout the year, not just during ski season. Here is a list of 18 chairlifts that operate beyond winter months, offering elevated perspectives on some of the world’s most beautiful mountain landscapes.
Whistler Village Gondola
British Columbia’s Whistler Village Gondola carries passengers 3,000 feet up Whistler Mountain in enclosed cabins that provide panoramic views across the Sea-to-Sky region. The 20-minute ride offers constantly changing perspectives of Whistler Valley, Green Lake, and the surrounding Coast Mountains.
At the summit, the Cloudraker Skybridge extends 430 feet across a mountain valley, creating one of the most dramatic walkways in North America. The gondola operates daily year-round, with summer visitors accessing hiking trails and winter guests enjoying ski terrain.
Jackson Hole Aerial Tram
Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Mountain Resort operates this tram that climbs 4,139 vertical feet to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain at 10,450 feet elevation. The 12-minute ride in large enclosed cabins provides spectacular views of the Teton Range, Jackson Valley, and distant mountain ranges extending into Idaho.
The summit offers 360-degree views and access to hiking trails during the summer months. The tram’s year-round operation allows visitors to experience the dramatic seasonal changes in this high alpine environment, from wildflower-covered meadows to snow-covered peaks.
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Sandia Peak Tramway
New Mexico’s Sandia Peak Tramway rises 3,819 feet over 2.7 miles, making it one of the longest aerial tramways in North America. The 15-minute ride provides views across the Rio Grande Valley to distant mesas while climbing through multiple ecological zones from desert scrub to alpine forest.
The tram operates year-round, offering visitors the chance to experience snow at the 10,378-foot summit even when Albuquerque swelters in the summer heat below. The summit features hiking trails, a restaurant, and observation decks that provide views extending over 11,000 square miles on clear days.
Ober Mountain Ski Resort Scenic Chairlift
Tennessee’s Ober Mountain operates chairlifts year-round for scenic rides through the Great Smoky Mountains. The open-air chairs climb through a dense hardwood forest that displays spectacular autumn colors during peak foliage season. Summer operations focus on mountain biking and hiking access, while winter brings skiing and snowboarding opportunities.
The chairlift provides elevated views across the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg area that aren’t available from ground-level viewpoints.
Killington Gondola
Vermont’s Killington Resort operates gondolas year-round, providing access to the state’s second-highest peak at 4,241 feet. The enclosed cabins protect passengers from the weather while offering views across the Green Mountains and into New Hampshire’s White Mountains on clear days. Summer operations focus on mountain biking, hiking, and scenic rides, while the mountain transforms into a spectacular foliage display during Vermont’s famous autumn season.
The summit features restaurants, hiking trails, and observation areas that showcase the region’s four-season beauty.
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Heavenly Gondola
California’s Lake Tahoe region features the Heavenly Gondola, which climbs 1,200 feet above the lake’s shoreline in enclosed cabins. The 12-minute ride provides constantly changing views of Lake Tahoe’s crystal-clear waters and surrounding Sierra Nevada peaks. The observation deck at the top offers panoramic views across the lake and into Nevada, while hiking trails provide access to higher elevations.
The year-round operation allows visitors to see Lake Tahoe in all seasons, from snow-covered winter scenes to summer’s brilliant blue waters.
Stowe Gondola
Vermont’s Stowe Mountain Resort operates a gondola system that provides access to the summit of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak at 4,393 feet. The enclosed cabins protect passengers while offering views across the Green Mountains and Champlain Valley, extending into New York’s Adirondacks.
The summit area features hiking trails, including access to the famous Long Trail and restaurants with outdoor seating overlooking the mountain landscape. The gondola’s year-round operation showcases Vermont’s spectacular seasonal changes from the state’s highest accessible point.
Whitefish Mountain Resort Big Mountain Express
Montana’s Big Mountain Express chairlift operates year-round, providing access to the 6,817-foot Danny On Trail at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The open-air chairlift climb provides views across Flathead Valley to Glacier National Park’s peaks while passing through dense coniferous forests.
Summer operations focus on mountain biking and hiking, while the chairlift provides access to some of the best foliage viewing in the northern Rockies during autumn. The summit features restaurants and observation areas with views extending across three states and into Canada.
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Bretton Woods Cannonball Express
New Hampshire’s Bretton Woods Resort operates the Cannonball Express chairlift year-round for scenic rides up Mount Rosebrook. The chairlift provides elevated views of the Presidential Range, including Mount Washington, while climbing through diverse forest ecosystems.
The summit area features hiking trails and observation decks that showcase the White Mountains’ dramatic topography. The year-round operation allows visitors to experience the region’s famous autumn foliage from an elevated perspective while providing access to summer hiking and winter skiing.
Okemo Mountain Resort Scenic Chairlift
Vermont’s Okemo Mountain Resort operates chairlifts year-round for scenic rides and mountain recreation access. The lifts climb through mixed hardwood and coniferous forests that display spectacular color during Vermont’s peak foliage season.
Summer operations provide access to mountain biking trails and hiking paths, while the elevated ride offers views across the Green Mountains. The resort’s location in central Vermont provides perspectives on multiple mountain ranges and valleys from the chairlift route.
Sunday River Resort Jordan Express
Maine’s Sunday River Resort operates the Jordan Express chairlift year-round, providing access to Jordan Bowl and the surrounding mountain terrain. The chairlift climb offers views across western Maine’s mountain landscape, including distant peaks in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
Summer operations focus on mountain biking and scenic rides, while autumn provides spectacular foliage viewing from an elevated perspective. The chairlift accesses hiking trails and observation areas that showcase Maine’s diverse mountain ecosystems.
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Sugarbush Resort Super Bravo Express
Vermont’s Sugarbush Resort operates high-speed chairlifts year-round for mountain access and scenic rides. The lifts provide elevated views across the Mad River Valley and surrounding Green Mountain peaks while climbing through diverse forest ecosystems.
The resort’s two mountain areas offer different perspectives on Vermont’s landscape, from intimate valley views to expansive mountain panoramas. The year-round operation allows visitors to experience the region’s dramatic seasonal changes from multiple elevated viewpoints.
Alyeska Resort Scenic Chairlift
Alaska’s Alyeska Resort operates chairlifts year-round, providing unique subarctic mountain experiences just 40 miles from Anchorage. The chairlift climb offers views across Turnagain Arm and the surrounding Chugach Mountains while ascending through diverse vegetation zones.
Summer operations extend daylight hours, meaning scenic rides can occur late into the evening during Alaska’s midnight sun season. The chairlift provides access to hiking trails and observation areas with views extending across Cook Inlet to distant volcanic peaks.
Copper Mountain Resort American Eagle
Colorado’s Copper Mountain Resort operates the American Eagle chairlift year-round for scenic rides and mountain recreation access. The high-speed quad chairlift climbs to 11,318 feet, providing spectacular views across the Tenmile Range and neighboring peaks.
The chairlift accesses hiking trails above the treeline where wildflowers bloom during brief alpine summers. Year-round operation showcases the dramatic seasonal changes in high-altitude environments, from snow-covered winter landscapes to summer alpine meadows.
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Mount Snow Resort Bluebird Express
Vermont’s Mount Snow Resort operates the Bluebird Express chairlift year-round for scenic rides and recreation access in southern Vermont. The chairlift provides views across the Green Mountains and into Massachusetts’ Berkshire Hills while climbing through diverse forest ecosystems.
Summer operations focus on mountain biking and hiking access, while autumn offers some of New England’s most spectacular foliage viewing from the elevated chairlift route. The summit area features trails and observation points that showcase the region’s four-season beauty.
Northstar California Resort Scenic Gondola
California’s Northstar California Resort operates gondolas year-round for scenic rides and mountain access in the Lake Tahoe region. The enclosed cabins provide views across Martis Valley and surrounding Sierra Nevada peaks while protecting passengers from mountain weather. The gondola accesses hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and observation areas with views extending to Lake Tahoe.
The year-round operation allows visitors to experience the Sierra Nevada’s dramatic seasonal contrasts, from snow-covered winter scenes to summer’s granite peaks and alpine lakes.
Deer Valley Resort Sterling Express
Utah’s Deer Valley Resort operates the Sterling Express chairlift during summer months for scenic rides and mountain recreation access. The chairlift provides elevated views across the Park City area and surrounding Wasatch Mountains while climbing through aspen and coniferous forests.
The summit area features hiking trails and observation decks that showcase Utah’s mountain landscape from an elevated perspective. The chairlift accesses terrain that displays spectacular autumn colors when the aspen trees change to brilliant gold.
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Stratton Mountain Resort Gondola
Vermont’s Stratton Mountain Resort operates a gondola system year-round for scenic rides and mountain access in southern Vermont. The enclosed cabins provide views across the Green Mountains while protecting passengers from weather during the climb to 3,936 feet.
The summit features hiking trails, observation areas, and restaurants, with panoramic views extending into Massachusetts and New York. Year-round operation showcases Vermont’s famous seasonal changes from the mountain’s elevated perspective, particularly during the spectacular autumn foliage season.
Rising Above the Ordinary
These year-round chairlifts transform mountain access from a seasonal activity into a four-season adventure, each offering unique perspectives on landscapes that constantly change with weather and seasons. The elevated viewpoints provide photographers and nature enthusiasts with opportunities unavailable from ground level, while the chairlift rides themselves become contemplative journeys through vertical ecosystems.
Whether ascending through the morning mist in summer valleys or riding above autumn’s colorful canopy, these mechanical marvels deliver front-row seats to some of nature’s most spectacular seasonal performances.
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