Brains
Gondolas are a comfortable mode of aerial transport used to access alpine locations while being sheltered from the harsh elements. Similar in construction to an aerial ski lift, with the added protection of an enclosed cabin to hold in warmth and block out the wind. While new gondolas are being installed each year across North America for skiing, this article will focus on the oldest gondolas still in operation for skiing access.
Killington Ski Resort, Vermont – Skyeship Gondola – 1994
Skyeship Gondola provides access from an alternate base area to the main ski area and the bulk of the terrain offered here. This gondola has a midway unload/load station and then continues to the top of Skye Peak at 3,800 feet above sea level. This gondola was erected by Leitner-Poma with 29 towers on the lower section and 21 towers on the upper section, with an impressive total of 50 support towers in total.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia – Excalibur Gondola – 1994
The Excalibur Gondola is the second oldest in operation at Whistler Blackcomb, installed in 1994. This gondola brings riders from the Whistler Village main base area over to neighboring Blackcomb Mountain next door, both included on the Epic Pass. This gondola operates in two stages, acting as separate systems that interchange cabins at a midway load/unload station, that services the Snow School Learning Area.
Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont – Mansfield Gondola – 1991
The Mansfield Gondola reveals stunning views of Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, at 4,395 feet above sea level. This gondola was constructed by Leitner-Poma with 30 support towers, 74 gondola cabins, and a capacity of 8 riders per cabin. This gondola has a length of 7,664 feet, a vertical rise of 2,100 feet, and a ride time of 6.4 minutes.
Keystone Resort, Colorado – Outpost Gondola – 1991
The Outpost Gondola at Keystone connects two mountain tops within the resort, at nearly the same elevation. One terminal is atop Dercum Mountain at 11,640 feet above sea level, and the other terminal is atop North Peak at 11,660 feet above sea level. This gondola was constructed by Dopplemayr, with 21 support towers and a capacity of six riders per cabin.
Silver Mountain, Idaho – Silver Mountain Gondola – 1990
The Silver Mountain Gondola was the longest in the world upon installation by VonRoll in 1990. While it is not the longest in the world anymore, it is still the longest gondola in North America boasting a staggering 16,350 feet in length. This monstrous gondola has 45 support towers, 112 gondola cabins, and a ride time of 16.4 minutes to reach the top terminal.
Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec – L’Etoile Filante Gondola – 1989
The L’Etoile Filante Gondola takes guests from the base area to the summit of the resort at 2,625 feet above sea level. From this location, guests can take in views from an observation deck, grab some food, or drop into the north side of the resort. This eight-person gondola was installed by Dopplemayr with 26 support towers and utilizes 100 cabins, rising 2,050 feet from the valley below.
Loon Mountain, New Hampshire – White Mountain Express – 1988
Loon Mountain in New Hampshire’s White Mountains is an East Coast favorite with very advanced lift infrastructure. The White Mountain Express Gondola was manufactured by Dopplemayr using 22 support towers, 71 gondola cabins, and a capacity of four riders per cabin. The current gondola replaced an older gondola, installed by PHB Hall in 1966, and operated until 1988 when the White Mountain Express opened to the public.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia – Whistler Village Gondola – 1988
Whistler Blackcomb has six different gondolas to choose from, the Village Gondola being the oldest and longest-running. This gondola has a midway unload and load station and acts as two separate gondolas, with an upper section, and a lower section. Each separate section of this gondola has its own haul rope and shares cabins that are interchanged at the mid-station. This gondola was manufactured by Leitner-Poma and has 42 support towers and 154 cabins in total.
Stratton Mountain, Vermont – Stratton Gondola – 1988
The Stratton Gondola runs year-round to support various activities such as skiing, biking, hiking, and sightseeing. This gondola provides majestic views of four different mountain ranges in four separate states. Leitner-Poma manufactured this gondola, which has 58 gondola cabins, and a capacity of eight guests per cabin.
Aspen Mountain, Colorado – Silver Queen Gondola – 1986
Aspen Mountain is one of four ski areas owned by Aspen Ski Company in the Roaring Fork Valley in Colorado. The Silver Queen Gondola whisks guests from Downtown Aspen, Colorado straight to the top of Aspen Mountain at 11,212 feet above sea level. Leitner-Poma manufactured this gondola, which has a capacity of six riders per cabin and received all new cabins in 2005.
Sugar Bowl Resort, California – Village Gondola – 1983
The Village Gondola at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort is the oldest gondola in North America that is still operational for snowsports enthusiasts. This gondola takes guests from a special pass-holder parking area to the main base area and Village Lodge at the base of the slopes. This gondola replaced an existing gondola built by VonRoll that operated from 1957 to 1983 and was the Western United States’ first gondola.
One major advantage of gondolas is that guests can ride downhill just as easily as they came up the mountain. This unique feature of gondolas makes them a practical mode of transportation for all folks in different physical shapes, even the elderly and disabled communities. Gondolas are an all-inclusive method of transport that brings people to glorious destinations through modern technology. The gondolas in this article are historic relics that won’t be around forever, so best to take a ride on one before it’s too late, using this list as a guide.
Lake Louise is running the old small unreliable Squaw gondola. Older than some of these.
Hello! The Gondola at Mammoth Mt has been there since 1966. The upgraded it in the early 1990s I believe.
You might want to check on the gondola at Ski Apache. I’m pretty sure it’s older than any of these.
That gondola was sick! Originally from 1963 and fit only 4 people at a time. BUT they replaced it a handful of years ago with a much faster one. I grew up riding that thing!