6 Top Trams and Gondolas Offering Scenic Views in North America

Experience breathtaking sights in some of our favorite locales

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Mountain Station at night

Expect amazing scenic views when riding a tram or gondola. Here, a view of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Mountain Station in California, which sits at an elevation of 8,516 feet.

Courtesy Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Kristen Pope,

AARP

Published March 10, 2026

Ascending the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram in Wyoming, I spotted a fox strolling along the slopes, followed by a marmot scurrying over rocks as we rose higher on Rendezvous Mountain. Riding a tram or gondola can provide a way to spot animals, take in stunning scenic views and enjoy mountaintop activities — from hiking to dining — in a comfortable way.

While many peaks are accessible via hiking trails, riding a scenic tram or gondola lets you enjoy the view while saving your energy for other activities. It also provides a great option for those who may have difficulty with a long, steep hike. Seventeen percent of travelers 50-plus require accommodations, with mobility assistance being the most common need, according to AARP’s latest Travel Trends survey.

And while riding a tram or gondola is an accessible and affordable way to enjoy mountain terrain in the winter and summer alike, be sure to check dates and seasons since many are closed between operating seasons.

Here are six trams and gondolas in the U.S. and Canada with breathtaking views.

Take the Alyeska Aerial Tram to Alaska's Veilbreaker Skybridges, a guided experience that involves crossing high-suspension bridges.

Courtesy of Alyeska Resort

Alyeska Aerial Tram, Alaska

You’ll spot seven hanging glaciers clinging to the mountains from the Alyeska Aerial Tram, which brings riders up more than 2,000 feet and showcases Alaska’s Turnagain Arm and the Chugach Mountains range. Look for moose and ptarmigans, birds that are wintry white in the snowy season. While it’s possible to hike up, the tram lets you enjoy the views, says Chris Hoffmann, Alyeska Resort’s interim mountain general manager.

“It allows easy access to the adventures of [Alaska],” Hoffmann says. “You can really go up and enjoy what Alaska has to offer without having to hike up.… You can get up to some of the tallest peaks and have some of the best views, and it’s not that hard.”

At the top, enjoy restaurants and mountain-top hiking. In the summer, consider Veilbreaker Skybridges, a guided experience that involves crossing high-suspension bridges with safety gear while enjoying amazing views.

Tickets for tram: Starting at $55.

a tramcar traveling on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in California takes riders 2½ miles in 10 minutes.

Courtesy Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, California

Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway from the 2,643-foot Valley Station up to the sometimes-snowy Mount San Jacinto at Mountain Station, at 8,516 feet. The rotating tram car, the largest in the world, takes people 2½ miles in just 10 minutes. Riders watch the landscape transform as they ascend: It shifts from barrel and prickly pear cacti down low to zones of oaks, pinyon pines and juniper, before reaching the alpine zone of evergreens and firs.

It’s a favorite way to escape Palm Springs’ summer heat. “You can leave the 120-degree desert and be in 70- to 80-degree forest in 12 minutes,” says Greg Purdy, vice president of marketing and public affairs for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

During winter, some visitors cross-country ski, snowshoe and enjoy the snow up top. In summer, hiking on the more than 50 miles of trails, camping and guided nature walks are popular. Visitors can enjoy a variety of observation decks, dining options and a museum.

Tickets: $37 for adults; $34 for adults 65-plus.

The Jackson Hole Aerial Tram, also known as “Big Red,” traverses 4.85 miles to Rendezvous Mountain in Wyoming.

Andriana Rogers/Courtesy Jackson Hole Aerial Tram

Jackson Hole Aerial Tram, Wyoming

The Jackson Hole Aerial Tram, also known as “Big Red,” rises 4,139 feet from the valley floor, traversing 4.85 miles to 10,450-foot Rendezvous Mountain. From the top, admire panoramic views of Grand Teton National Park, national forests, Jackson Hole and surrounding mountain ranges.

Up top, access hiking trails in summer, watch skiers and snowboarders in winter and be sure to stop by Corbet’s Cabin for “Top of the World” waffles.

Tickets: Sightseeing tickets are $55. 

Peak 2 Peak Gondola, British Columbia, Canada

Ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola 2.7 miles between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains while spotting glacier-capped peaks and admiring the Coast Mountains range. Some of the gondola cabins have glass bottoms with views down into Fitzsimmons Valley.

In summer, take the gondola to access meadows of wildflowers and more stunning high-alpine scenery. Keep an eye out for black bears, ptarmigan and other wildlife. You can use the gondolas to connect to an extensive hiking trail network. Winter offers views of skiers, snowboarders and snowy mountain peaks, with opportunities to cozy up in a lodge for a meal and drink.

Tickets: 2026 summer pricing is not yet available.

people walking on a suspension bridge with a building and mountains in the background

After riding the Sea to Sky Gondola in British Columbia, Canada, you can enjoy dining with stunning views, special events and the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.

Courtesy Sea to Sky Gondola

Sea to Sky Gondola, British Columbia, Canada

Less than an hour from Vancouver, the Sea to Sky Gondola offers a 10- to 15-minute ride with magnificent views of Howe Sound and the surrounding mountains and wilderness areas. At the top, you’ll find plenty to do, with winter access to activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, while summer offers walks and hikes, a via ferrata (a climbing route using metal cables) and more.

Throughout every season, enjoy dining with gorgeous views, live music, special events and the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. Keep your eyes out for wildlife, even in the sky, as birds can be seen riding columns of rising air.

“Watch the skies for bald eagles and peregrine falcons riding thermals above the cliffs,” advises Christa Langdon, business development coordinator for Sea to Sky Gondola. She adds that other birds can be seen in the area, and occasionally people can spot seals, porpoises or whales in Howe Sound.

Tickets: Starting at about $55.

In Vermont, Killington Resort’s K-1 Gondola travels to the 4,241-foot summit of Killington Peak.

Courtesy Killington Resort

Killington Resort’s K-1 Gondola, Vermont

In Vermont, Killington Resort’s K-1 Gondola travels 1.25 miles to the 4,241-foot summit of Killington Peak. It is the highest lift-served peak in the state. In summer, it provides access to hiking trails, including the popular J Trail that runs approximately a quarter-mile to the top of Killington Peak. Winter riders can enjoy scenic views, as well as food and beverages, up top.

Fall is a popular time to admire Vermont’s legendary foliage.

“I’d recommend sitting in the gondola facing downhill instead of facing uphill, as you’ll get better views during your trip,” advises Cullen Weidenaar, marketing and communications specialist at Killington Resort.

Tickets, winter 2026: $33-$43; free for adults 80 and older with purchase of a One Pass RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) card. Summer pricing not available yet. 

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Kristen Pope is a freelance writer who covers travel, outdoor recreation, wildlife, stargazing, conservation and science for publications like National Geographic, Smithsonian, Travel + Leisure and many others.