First, a note: all the information we’ve shared on this page pertains to riding chairlifts in the winter, since they are the primary means of guest transportation to skiable/rideable terrain within resort boundaries.
That said, we’ve listed a few more distinctions below:
Transportation Type: gondolas are closed cabin lifts that can transport between 4 and 15 people, while chairlifts provide open-air transportation seating for up to 6 people.
Terrain Served: our gondolas primarily provide guest access to key base, mid-mountain, and summit areas, while chairlifts tend to serve skiable/rideable terrain in a wider range of areas within resort boundaries. Gondola-served terrain may include areas accessible to foot traffic.
Activities Supported: chairlifts enable many winter activities (i.e. skiing and snowboarding) as well as summer fun (i.e. mountain biking and hiking). Gondolas also support winter and summer activities, while also enabling guests to sightsee around our mountain without additional gear or equipment. Certain strollers, wheelchairs, or other mobility devices may also be used on gondolas.
Loading and Unloading Skills: Both chairlifts and gondolas require passengers to heed posted signage and instructions from the lift operator. Chairlifts tend to require more loading and unloading knowledge and skill than gondolas, regardless of the season.