Big Sky Resort, MT, Completes Massive 9-Year Lift Upgrade Project

Big Sky Resort’s 2025 Initiative ushers in a wide range of resort improvements as the mountain sets out to build the most advanced lift network in the nation. This ambitious project was first announced in 2016 and aims to level up resort transport by building 12 new lifts in just over 9 years, improving the on-mountain experience and vastly upgrading the existing lift infrastructure.

Big Sky’s Challenger lift kicked off the massive investment into Montana’s iconic resort back in 2016. Located in the middle part of the mountain serving some advanced and expert terrain, the Challenger lift was upgraded from a double to a triple, making the lift more durable to the strongest storms in the Rockies. Challenger is located on a wind exposed ridge line, which makes these upgrades important to be able to operate during inclement weather. 

Big Sky’s second major lift upgrade was Powder Seeker 6, also in 2016. A six pack that replaced the Lone Peak Triple, it cut ride time in half from 6 minutes to a quick 3 minutes per ride. The Powder Seeker 6 was the first heated bubble lift at Big Sky, protecting skiers on stormy days and keeping them warm during cold spells. This lift serves some incredible terrain in the resort’s bowl area including Upper Morningstar and Iron Horse.

One of the most advanced lifts in the world is the Ramcharger 8. At the time it was built in 2018, it was North America’s first ever 8-person lift, and the most technically advanced lift ever built. It transports skiers from Big Sky Mountain Village to the Everest 8,800 lodge, serving amazing blue and black groomer runs. When Ramcharger 8 was installed, it was a game changer for the base area at Big Sky, as its predecessor was only a quad lift. Ramcharger 8 has the signature Big Sky blue bubble that is featured on many lifts at Big Sky. The lift features a state of the art conveyor belt built to make getting on the chair easier. The old Ramcharger lift was moved to upgrade the existing Shedhorn double lift, where it received some thoughtful refreshes, doubling the outgoing uphill capacity of the previous lift.

The other base village lift is Swift Current 6, which was upgraded in 2021 to a 6-pack from a quad, significantly increasing uphill capacity. When it was constructed, it was the longest D-line lift in the world. Swift Current 6 features a gearless drive, giving it quiet operation and improved efficiency. The lift has 90 degree unloading, meaning the skiers will disembark the chair at a right angle to the lift travel direction, dropping skiers in line with the Jay Walk run, for faster and easier unloading. Swift Current 6 also features auto locking and unlocking resistant bars. The lift is designed specifically for wind-resistance, meaning the lift can handle the most extreme wind events. Although Swift Current 6 was a major upgrade, it is still a choke point for the resort, as intermediate skiers and riders frequent the long blue runs under the lift and advanced skiers must take Swift Current from the base village to the tram, Headwaters, and Challenger lifts. This problem will be relieved by the establishment of the new Explorer Gondola opening this coming winter.

In 2023, Big Sky upgraded the legendary Lone Peak Tram known for servicing the hardest terrain Big Sky has to offer. The 27-year-old tram features new cabins that can hold 75 people comfortably, whisking skiers up 2,100 feet in under 5 minutes. The tram carries guests up to the top of Lone Peak at 11,167 feet, the highest point at the resort, offering expansive views of the surrounding mountains.

Upgrades continued into 2024, when Madison 8 replaced Six Shooter, one of the coldest and windiest lifts on the mountain. Six Shooter went up the north side, serving some of the best blue runs on the mountain. The upgrade cut the ride time by 30%. Madison 8 now has double the uphill capacity as compared to the former Six Shooter. 

For the 2025-26 season, Big Sky plans to introduce a base-to-bowl gondola, replacing the old Explorer 2 lift. A major out-of-base lift, the new Explorer gondola will improve congestion on Swift Current. This gondola will have a Mountain Village base station located in a similar location to the Explorer 2 lift. It will also feature a mid-station on Morningstar, with a brand-new beginner learning area with two new magic carpet surface lifts. The top station will be located adjacent to the base of the Lone Peak Tram, giving skiers and riders the ability to easily connect from the gondola to the tram. The Explorer Gondola will introduce base-to-summit lift access for non-skiers for the first time at Big Sky, as guests can take the gondola up to the bowl, then hop on the tram up an additional 2,100 feet to Lone Peak’s summit at 11,167 feet.

With the 2025-26 debut of the Explorer Gondola, Big Sky inches closer to its goal of becoming the most technologically advanced lift network in North America. The upgrades are not just about speed or capacity—they represent a vision to redefine the modern ski resort experience from base to summit.