Silver Queen Gondola Description

The Silver Queen Gondola carries passengers from downtown Aspen to the 11,212 foot summit of Aspen Mountain, covering roughly 2.5 miles in about fourteen minutes inside enclosed cabins. The Silver Queen Gondola operates year round, giving skiers and snowboarders a direct line to the top in winter and offering hikers, mountain bikers, and sightseers the same access once the snow melts. Large windows in each cabin frame views of the Roaring Fork Valley and the Elk Mountains as the ride climbs nearly 3,300 vertical feet.

The gondola opened in December 1986, replacing a network of chairlifts that had taken skiers closer to forty five minutes to reach the summit. Its name nods to Aspen’s silver mining past, and the route itself passes over ground shaped by that history, including terrain above Spar Gulch that once held mining claims. The original cabins were swapped out in 2006 for larger, better ventilated ones, and the Silver Queen Gondola got a cosmetic update in 2021 when its cars were reskinned with the current Aspen Snowmass branding. Today it still ranks among the longest single stage gondolas in the world.

At the top, the Silver Queen Gondola delivers riders to a summit built for lingering rather than just passing through. The Sundeck offers both indoor and outdoor seating with food service and wide views back over town, and the summit is also home to the world’s highest disc golf course along with a stage that hosts live music through the summer season. Hiking and mountain biking trails branch out from the same terminal, so non skiers have a reason to ride the Silver Queen Gondola even outside of ski season. Ticketing is available as one way or round trip, with rates that vary by season and age, and no hiking or climbing is required to reach the summit, making it accessible to visitors of nearly any age or ability who simply want the view.

Services: Mountain Transportation, Sightseeing Access, Summit Dining, Outdoor Seating, Seasonal Operations, Ticket Sales, Alpine Access, Trail Access, Valley Views, Year-Round Operations
Category: Entertainment
Features: Family, Unique Attractions
Address: 611 E Durant Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
Directions: View on Google Maps