You don’t need skis strapped to your feet to enjoy some of America’s best mountain lifts. Across the country, gondolas and aerial trams keep running long after the snow melts, carrying sightseers to alpine overlooks, hiking trails, mountaintop restaurants and some seriously impressive scenery. From the Tetons to Vermont’s Green Mountains, these 10 rides are worth planning a trip around.
1. Jackson Hole Aerial Tram
Teton Village, Wyoming
Nicknamed “Big Red,” the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram climbs 4,139 vertical feet to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain at 10,450 feet. From the top, take in 360-degree views across the Tetons and Jackson Hole Valley, explore high-alpine hiking trails or walk out to the Grand Teton Skywalk. The essential reward comes from Corbet’s Cabin, where made-to-order waffles have become nearly as famous as the tram itself.
Don’t miss: A waffle at Corbet’s Cabin.
2. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Palm Springs, California
Trade desert heat for mountain air aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, home to the world’s largest rotating tramcars. The roughly 10-minute journey travels 2.5 miles through Chino Canyon, climbing from 2,643 feet to the Mountain Station at 8,516 feet. Once there, explore observation decks, restaurants, a natural history museum and more than 50 miles of trails in Mount San Jacinto State Park. Bring layers because temperatures can be dramatically cooler at the top.
Don’t miss: Watching the desert landscape change as the tram climbs.
3. Heavenly Gondola
South Lake Tahoe, California
You don’t have to leave downtown South Lake Tahoe to start this high-altitude adventure aboard the Heavenly Gondola. The ride climbs from Heavenly Village toward the mountains above Lake Tahoe, with a stop at the Observation Deck around 9,100 feet. Hop out for the big photo opportunity before continuing toward Tamarack Lodge, hiking trails and seasonal attractions. Deep-blue water, pine-covered mountains and distant peaks make the ride a Tahoe classic.
Don’t miss: The Observation Deck on the way up.
4. Telluride Gondola
Telluride, Colorado
Part scenic attraction and part everyday transportation, the free Telluride Gondola connects downtown Telluride with Mountain Village. The roughly 12-minute journey crosses 10,500-foot Coonskin Ridge, with a midway stop at San Sophia and views of the San Juan Mountains, waterfalls and surrounding mesas. The gondola also provides convenient access to hiking and biking trails, restaurants and both communities, making it much more than a sightseeing ride.
Don’t miss: Riding again after dark to see Telluride glowing below.
5. Silver Queen Gondola
Aspen, Colorado
Board the Silver Queen Gondola near downtown Aspen and emerge at 11,200 feet atop Aspen Mountain. The summit opens onto sweeping views of the Elk Mountains along with hiking trails, wildflowers and seasonal programming that can include outdoor music and mountaintop yoga. Stop at the Sundeck for lunch on the patio, where the surrounding peaks are part of the experience. Summer sightseeing typically continues into early October on select dates.
Don’t miss: Lunch outside at the Sundeck.
6. Mt. Rainier Gondola at Crystal Mountain
Enumclaw, Washington
Mount Rainier steals the show on the Mt. Rainier Gondola at Crystal Mountain, especially when the skies cooperate. The ride climbs nearly 2,500 vertical feet to a summit area overlooking the Cascade Range, with hiking and several impressive viewpoints nearby. Just steps from the gondola sits Summit House, billed as Washington’s highest-elevation restaurant at 6,782 feet. Check conditions before heading up, since clouds and strong winds can quickly change the experience.
Don’t miss: A clear-day view of Mount Rainier from the summit.
7. Snowbird Aerial Tram
Snowbird, Utah
The Snowbird Aerial Tram travels 1.6 miles and climbs 2,900 vertical feet through Little Cottonwood Canyon to Hidden Peak at 11,000 feet. At the summit, panoramas stretch across the Wasatch Mountains toward the Salt Lake Valley, while hiking trails lead into the surrounding alpine terrain. For an even bigger thrill, summer riders can book Snowbird’s open-air rooftop balcony experience and make the journey outside on top of the tram.
Don’t miss: Standing atop Hidden Peak at 11,000 feet.
8. Stowe Gondola SkyRide
Stowe, Vermont
Ride the bright-red Stowe Gondola SkyRide above the slopes of Mount Mansfield for a classic Green Mountain panorama. At the upper station, sightseeing passengers can stop for food, explore the mountain or simply linger over the surrounding views. Summer operations stretch well into fall, making the ride especially appealing as Vermont’s forests shift to red, orange and gold. Foliage timing varies each year, so check local color reports before planning your visit.
Don’t miss: Riding when the Green Mountains are covered in fall color.
9. Killington K-1 Express Gondola
Killington, Vermont
The K-1 Express Gondola travels 1.25 miles toward Killington Peak, which rises 4,241 feet and ranks as Vermont’s second-highest mountain. At the top, sightseers can visit Peak Lodge, explore the resort’s hiking network or make the short walk toward the true summit for expansive Green Mountain views. Come fall, those rolling forests become a patchwork of color, making the gondola an easy way to get above Vermont’s famous foliage.
Don’t miss: The short walk toward the summit for 360-degree views.
10. Loon Mountain Gondola Skyride
Lincoln, New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s longest gondola ride, the Loon Mountain Gondola Skyride, climbs 1,738 vertical feet through the White Mountain National Forest to Loon Peak at 2,733 feet. Once you step out, continue exploring via hiking trails, granite glacial caves and an observation tower with views stretching from Mount Moosilauke toward Mount Washington. There’s also a summit café if you’d rather pair the scenery with lunch. In autumn, the surrounding White Mountains become especially colorful.
Don’t miss: Climbing the observation tower for the widest view.
