The Top 10 Most Unique Chairlifts In The World

#9 Orange Bubble Express at Park City Mountain Resort, UT 

#8 Slide Brook Express at Sugarbush, VT

The lift connects two distinct mountains, creating the singular Sugarbush Resort. Slide Brook Express is the longest detachable chairlift in the world, stretching over two miles. If you’ve taken Slide Brook, the 12-minute ride feels long as the lift stretches over multiple valleys and ridges, which are not part of the lift-served resort.

#7 Leissières Chair in Val d’Isère, France

The Leissières chairlift in Val d’Isère is famous for its unique roller coaster ride as it traverses over the Crête des Leissières ridge, providing unbelievable panoramic views of this above tree line high alpine terrain at 3,000 m (9,842 feet). The lift has a steep ascent and descent while going up and over the ridge with five towers in close succession to support the lift.

#6 Alp Auris Express in Alpe d’Huez, France

Locally known as the “scare chair,” this high-speed lift connects the Les Bergers and Auris ski areas in Alpe d’Huez. This insane lift crosses under a tunnel at the Altiport airstrip and then earns its nickname during the descent to the bottom of the Sarenne Gorge.

#5 Single Chair at Mad River Glen, VT

The name is perfect, as the Single Chair seats just one person. Built in 1948, the single chair is the only one in the lower 48 states and just one of two operating in North America. This lift is not just a novelty; it provides the only access to the summit and most of the expert terrain at this iconic East Coast mountain. Famous for the lack of grooming and “ski it if you can” attitude, the single chair fits in perfectly at this fiercely independent ski resort.

#4 Silverton Mountain Chairlift, CO

Silverton is known for its incredible hike to terrain and its one and only lift, the double chair. Known for lacking a safety bar, this lift climbs a seriously steep mountain, providing access to much of the hike’s terrain. The lift starts at 10,400 feet and rises to 12,300 feet, offering a truly high alpine experience. By hiking along the ridgeline, skiers can reach an altitude of 13,487 feet to experience the highest skiing in North America.

#3 Imperial Superchair at Breckenridge, CO

The Imperial Superchair makes the list as the highest lift in North America, reaching an altitude of 12,840 feet. At its perch near the top of Peak 8, skiers can access incredible above-tree-line extreme terrain in Imperial Bowl and George’s Thumb with a hike to access the Lake Chutes and Snow White.

#2  KT-22 Express at Palisades Tahoe, CA

Palisades Tahoe is a mountain known for expert skiing, but how do you access that expert terrain? That’s where the KT-22 Express, known as “The Mothership,” comes in. KT-22 features a sprawling 2,000-foot vertical rise, offering access to some of the best expert terrain in North America. This lift services legendary runs like Fingers and McConkey’s. KT-22 is unique as it is often the first main lift to open after major storms, making it a guest favorite.

#1 Stoke Chair at Revelstoke, BC 

Revelstoke Mountain Resort, in Canada, is known for its over 5,000 vertical drop and expert chutes. The Stoke Chair is a high-speed quad that serves upper-mountain advanced and expert terrain and provides access to the North and South Bowls. The Stoke Chair takes around 7 minutes to climb 632 vertical meters (2,073 feet). The chair is located just above the Revelation Gondola and is the main lift for skiers and riders to lap while skiing at Revelstoke.