There is nothing quite like standing on a mountaintop and taking in the breathtaking view from above. In just minutes, the Banff Gondola or Jasper SkyTram can carry you high into the alpine, each offering a distinct perspective that makes the journey unforgettable.
The Banff Gondola and Jasper SkyTram are two of the most popular ways to experience the Canadian Rockies. But what's the difference between a gondola and a tram? As it turns out it all comes down to movement and capacity.
Travelling up Sulphur Mountain in Banff National Park, the Banff Gondola features 40 small cabins, each accommodating up to four passengers. The cabins run on a continuous loop, performing a 180-degree turn at the summit and base stations before continuing onward.
Open year-round, the Banff Gondola is the perfect way for families, couples and small groups to share an intimate journey soaring above the forest. Flexible boarding lets you browse the shops for souvenirs or enjoy a wholesome dining experience on the mountaintop. Whether you’re staying indoors at the state-of-the-art interpretive level or venturing out on the boardwalk to Sanson Peak, the experience is yours to shape.
Bonuses: Seasonal celebrations bring even more magic to the summit. From patio vibes with sunset views to Christmas festivities the whole family will love, keep an eye out for mountaintop moments sure to impress.
Open from mid-to-late March until November, the Jasper SkyTram whisks visitors up Whistlers Mountain — named after the unmistakable warning call of the hoary marmots that populate the landscape.
The Jasper SkyTram has two large cars, each carrying up to 30 passengers. Instead of rotating to reverse direction, the cars alternate. When one car ascends the mountain, the other one descends, but each stays on its respective track.
With its larger capacity, this experience is perfect for groups, people with dogs — or even for making new friends along the way. While return trips down the mountain are pre-scheduled, the team at the Upper Station is happy to help you adjust your timing if you’d like a little extra time to explore or dine. With more chances to wander the trails and even hike to the summit, this is your chance to fully immerse yourself in alpine beauty.
Bonuses: Discover the magic of the night sky with a Star Session (Sept – Oct) in the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve or rent snowshoes for a fresh way to explore the mountain in early season.
Did you know the Banff Gondola was Canada’s very first? Gondolas have been carrying adventurers skyward for nearly 120 years.
The Kohlerer-Bahn, the world's first mountain gondola, opened in June of 1908 in Bolzano, South Tyrol in Italy. Today, there are thousands around the world, from sightseeing and ski gondolas to those used for public transportation — like the Cablebús aerial gondola system in Mexico City that's said to transport more than 100,000 people daily.
Aerial tramways date back even further. The first aerial tram was built in Poland in 1644. It was a horse-powered design that was utilitarian in nature, but trams have come a long way since. Today, the largest aerial tram in the world can be found in California. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world's largest rotating tram car, and it travels more than 4 km (2.5 mi) over the cliffs of Chino Canyon.
Bonuses: Some of the world’s most iconic gondolas include Whistler’s PEAK 2 PEAK (with the longest unsupported span between cable car towers), Switzerland’s Titlis Rotair (the first rotating gondola) and Bolivia’s Mi Teleférico (the highest and longest urban gondola).
The Banff Gondola and Jasper SkyTram each offer their own take on summit strolls and alpine adventures. Make room in your itenerary for both and take in some of the best views in the Canadian Rockies.
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