Elk Camp Gondola - Snowmass

The Elk Camp Gondola begins in Snowmass Village, and it gives skiers and riders access to trails that range from beginner to intermediate. The gondola ride takes just over 10 minutes. The Elk Camp chairlift begins at the top of this gondola, and this lift leads to more challenging terrain.

The Meadows learning area is also located at the top of the gondola. This is a good place for children to learn to ski. This is a small, flat beginner skiing area with a covered surface lift.

 

two passing cabins of the Snowmass Elk Camp Gondola
Elk Camp Gondola trail map

Elk Camp Gondola Stats

The Elk Camp Gondola first ascends from Snowmass Village to the gondola’s mid-station, and then it heads up to the Elk Camp Restaurant, Elk Camp Meadows and the upper mountain area. The top of the gondola is where you’ll find the Lost Forest, the Snowmass Mountain Bike Park and most of Snowmass’s best activities during the summer.

The vertical rise of this gondola is listed as 1,290 feet by the Town of Snowmass. The top of the gondola rests at an elevation of 9,765 feet.1

skier bridge in Snowmass Village with Elk Camp Gondola in winter
Skier bridge to Snowmass Village and Elk Camp Gondola base
lower section of Elk Camp Gondola at Snowmass
Assay Hill to the right, gondola base to the left
Mid-station of Elk Camp Gondola at Snowmass
Mid-Station of Elk Camp Gondola
Elk Camp gondola and Funnel Bypass ski trail
Elk Camp Gondola and Funnel Bypass
Funnel Bypass beginner ski terrain and Elk Camp Gondola at Snowmass

The photo above was taken from just above the mid-station of the Elk Camp Gondola. This shows the gondola and the bottom of the Funnel Bypass trail. This is a green circle beginner trail, and you’ll also find this photo over on the Snowmass Beginner Ski Terrain page.

Summer Gondola Operations

The Elk Camp Gondola is open for scenic rides to the top during the summer, and there is plenty to do up there.

The Lost Forest is Snowmass’s summer playground at the top of the gondola. Activities here include rock climbing, disc golf, the alpine coaster, ropes courses, ziplines, hiking trails and much more.

The Snowmass Bike Park is also largely located above the Elk Camp Gondola. This is one of Colorado’s best gondola-accessible mountain bike parks.

Free Sky Cab Gondola

Free Snowmass Sky Cab gondola

Snowmass also has the FREE Sky Cab gondola running from the base area. See more info here: Snowmass Sky Cab Gondola.

Elk Camp Gondola mid-station loading point at Snowmass
Elk Camp Gondola Mid-Station

Elk Camp Gondola FAQ

Yes! Mountain bikers will take the Elk Camp Gondola up to the Elk Camp chairlift in order to access the top of the mountain bike park.

Construction on the Elk Camp Gondola began after the resort closed in the spring of 2006. The gondola opened for the first time on Saturday, December 16th in 2006.2

Yes, but only during the summer season. Snowmass does not allow pets in the Elk Camp Gondola during the winter.

The Sky Cab gondola is free. The Elk Camp Gondola requires a lift ticket in order to ride during the summer or winter.

1. Scenic gondola rides: Snowmass village activities. Snowmass Village. (2023, April 12). https://www.gosnowmass.com/activity/scenic-gondola-rides/

2. Aspen Daily News, Volume 29, Number 167, December 17, 2006. Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. Colorado State Library.