You know you’ve truly embraced the ski bum lifestyle when you can casually mention riding an aerial tram at a ski resort. These incredible lifts bring an unparalleled sense of elegance to any mountain destination. Seeming to float effortlessly in the air, suspended without visible support, trams offer a unique sensation of flight. In fact, many tram operators playfully refer to trips as “flights.” Remarkably, even renowned resorts like Aspen or Vail do not feature aerial trams, highlighting their exclusivity. While the Lionshead Gondola at Vail is impressively large, accommodating dozens of people, it remains distinct from a true aerial tram. In my skiing adventures, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing three iconic trams – those at Jackson Hole, Squaw Valley, and Snowbird.
The aerial tram, also known by various names including aerial tramway, cable car, Telepherique, seilbahn, ropeway, reversible ropeway, or ropeway conveyor, represents a fascinating feat of engineering. This type of lift utilizes one or two stationary ropes for support, while a third rope provides the driving force. The tram cabin itself is securely attached to this propulsion rope, forming a robust and reliable system for ascending steep inclines.
The classic aerial tram operates on a reversible system, often referred to as “reversibles.” This configuration involves two substantial cars or cabins that shuttle back and forth between two terminal stations. A cable loop system halts and reverses direction once the cabins reach their respective ends. This back-and-forth motion distinguishes the classic aerial tram from gondolas and chairlifts, which operate as continuous systems. In contrast, gondolas and chairlifts feature cabins or chairs attached to a continuously circulating haul rope.
The fundamental concept of the ropeway conveyor, a precursor to modern Aerial Car Parts, has roots stretching back to ancient times. It’s a remarkably simple yet ingenious technology. The basic components include a rope, two pulleys, and a bucket. With this setup, goods or people could be transported between two points, overcoming obstacles like streams and chasms. Imagine using this system to lower a bucket into a well, fill it with water, and then hoist it back up – a testament to its utility. Adapt this concept for passenger transport, and you essentially have the elevator. Ropeways have been utilized for over two millennia to move both people and goods. Historical records indicate their earliest use in the rugged terrains of China, India, and Japan. Marco Polo, during his travels in Asia, documented the use of ropes to traverse canyons and rivers. He described a device involving a leather harness attached to a rope, which carried him safely across seemingly bottomless gorges, highlighting the early applications of aerial transportation technology.
The earliest visual representation of a ropeway conveyor dates back to a Venetian illustration in a 1616 manual. While it’s uncertain if this particular tram was ever constructed, credit for manufacturing the first mechanical aerial passenger transport system is given to Wybe Adam in 1644. This innovative device was employed in the Alps to navigate treacherous mountain passes and canyons, showcasing early examples of aerial car part engineering for passenger transport.
Aerial ropeways became a widespread method for transporting cargo, not only in mountainous regions but also across flat landscapes. Large-scale conveyors were constructed throughout the Middle Ages, demonstrating the versatility of aerial car part systems for logistics. The introduction of steel ropes in Germany in 1834 marked a significant advancement, enabling the creation of even larger cable transport systems. This period also saw the emergence of the first cable lifts and funiculars – cable cars moving along a railroad track, propelled by ropes or steel cables. This development paved the way for cargo ropeways, utilizing buckets attached to cables for hauling ore from mines and transporting materials over various terrains. Some of these extensive cargo ropeway systems stretched for tens of miles, proving to be a more cost-effective solution than building roads or bridges in challenging environments.
Aerial ropeway technology experienced substantial advancements during World Wars I and II. Both global conflicts involved extensive fighting in the mountainous Alps, particularly World War I. Aerial ropeways were crucial in both wars for rapidly transporting soldiers, weaponry, and supplies to strategic mountain peaks. During the intense alpine battles between Italy and Austria in World War I, the Italians utilized nearly 2,000 ropeways, while the Austrians employed over 400. Intriguingly, many of these ropeways were designed to be portable. They could be quickly disassembled, transported by pack animals, and reassembled in new locations, demonstrating the adaptability of aerial car part technology in military applications.
The rise of tourism played a key role in the development of the first modern ropeway designed for passenger transport. Constructed in 1866 in northern Switzerland near Schaffhausen, this system transported tourists to an observation deck offering stunning views of a local waterfall. As the twentieth century began, modern skiing started to gain traction, becoming increasingly popular in the period between the two world wars. However, the picturesque slopes of St. Anton and other sought-after European resorts in the early 1930s lacked ski lifts. Railways were deemed impractical for mountainous terrain. Consequently, the first aerial trams specifically for winter recreational purposes began to emerge in the late 1920s, marking a new era for aerial car part applications in leisure and sport.
The first aerial tram at a North American ski resort was established at Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire in 1938. However, some argue that the Sunrise Peak Aerial Tramway in Colorado, built in 1907, predates it. The distinction lies in the definition of an aerial tram. The Sunrise Peak tram did not operate on the classic reversible system with two cars shuttling back and forth. Instead, the Sunrise Peak lift shared more similarities with chairlifts and gondolas. Therefore, the Cannon Mountain tram is generally recognized as the first true ski tram in North America, embodying the classic aerial car part design for ski resort transportation.
Aerial trams possess a significant passenger capacity. Cabins can range in size, accommodating from as few as 20 people to as many as 200. The largest aerial tram in the world is a double-decker marvel, capable of carrying 200 passengers across the Ponturin Gorge in France. At its highest point, it suspends riders over 1200 feet above the ground, providing a breathtaking, if not slightly daunting, experience.
Aerial trams offer two primary advantages over gondolas and chairlifts, making them a unique type of aerial car part. Firstly, aerial trams can span greater distances and require fewer support towers. This allows them to traverse wide valleys and challenging terrain without the need for numerous intermediate supports. Some of these support towers can reach impressive heights, exceeding 300 feet. Secondly, aerial trams are notably faster than even high-speed detachable lifts. While gondolas and high-speed chairs typically reach maximum speeds of around 14 mph, aerial trams can travel up to approximately 28 mph. This speed advantage explains why ascending the 4000+ vertical feet to the summit of Jackson Hole via tram is a remarkably swift journey, showcasing the efficiency of these aerial car parts.
However, aerial trams are considerably expensive to construct. While passengers generally prefer trams for their protection from the elements and enclosed cabins, the economic advantages of chairlifts often prevail. The construction cost for a tram can reach up to $65 million per mile. When Jackson Hole replaced its aerial tram a few years ago, they benefited from reusing the existing foundations, reducing the cost to a “mere” $23 million. In comparison, gondolas cost around $18 million per mile to build. Despite the higher initial investment, there is a viable market for urban aerial trams. Cities like New York have adopted aerial trams as a cost-effective solution for moving people, finding it more economical than building bridges, disrupting roadways, or constructing new subway tunnels beneath rivers.
Traditional aerial trams, however, are not as efficient at moving large volumes of people as high-speed chairlifts and gondolas. Uphill capacity is influenced by lift length for both types of systems, but aerial trams typically transport between 500 and 2000 people per hour. Gondolas, on the other hand, can achieve capacities of up to 3600 people per hour, highlighting the different operational characteristics of these aerial car part systems.
One particularly unique and intriguing aerial tram was the Mount Hood Skiway Tram, operating in the early 1950s. This innovative system utilized a converted bus as its cabin, relying on the bus’s under-floor engine to power the rear wheel, which was connected to the cable, along with an idler front wheel. The “bus-tram” traveled from Government Camp at the base of Mt. Hood to Timberline Lodge, carrying 36 passengers and ascending 2,200 vertical feet over 3 miles in under 10 minutes. A ride cost 75 cents. Despite its novelty, the tram was a financial failure. A year after its launch, the road to Timberline Lodge was improved, and a shuttle bus service (operating on the road) offered rides for just 50 cents. The Skiway Tram ceased operations after only three years. Reflecting on the improvised tram, Hank Lewis, the first chief of the Mt. Hood Ski Patrol in 1938, recalled, “It was a disaster. It would grunt its way up over a tower. It was very slow, very noisy and simply lousy.” However, the concept might see a resurgence. The road to Timberline Lodge can become impassable during winter, and proposals for a gondola from Government Camp to Timberline Lodge are being considered. Adding ski runs to this area could potentially create the largest vertical drop in the U.S., approximately 4,700 feet, further enhancing the appeal of aerial car part solutions in mountain resorts.
Aerial trams are undoubtedly here to stay, and we are likely to see more of them at our favorite ski destinations. New tram designs are emerging that integrate the best aspects of aerial trams and gondolas. These are broadly categorized as bicable and tricable ropeways. Interestingly, these systems hark back to the early Sunrise tram in Colorado from a century ago. Companies like Leitner and Doppelmayr have modernized the technology, and their hybrid lifts represent the future of ski lift technology. These systems feature detachable circulating ropeways with cabins capable of carrying up to 35 passengers. They boast impressive passenger capacity, transporting up to 6,000 people per hour. Beyond their superior people-moving capabilities, they offer excellent wind stability, low energy consumption, and the ability to span long distances with fewer support towers. While their maximum speed is slightly less than reversible aerial trams, they still move at around 17 mph, faster than typical gondolas. However, some reports suggest that these newer systems may experience more frequent breakdowns. It might take a few years to refine this evolving technology, but it’s likely we will see an increasing number of these new tram/gondola hybrids, representing the ongoing innovation in aerial car part engineering.
List of ski aerial trams in North America:
Alyeska Resort – Alaska
Banff Gondola – Alberta
Cannon Mountain – New Hampshire
Heavenly Ski Resort – California
Jackson Hole – Wyoming
Jay Peak – Vermont
Peak-to-Peak Gondola at Whistler/Blackcomb – British Columbia
Sandia Peak tram – New Mexico
Snowbasin Olympic Tram – Utah
Snowbird – Utah
Squaw Valley – California
Aerial trams in action:
The Vanoise Express in France:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgpEVphg184
Say goodbye to an old friend, the old Jackson Hole tram:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWZezxvvsAE
Coming soon to a ski resort near you. Follow the link to see the Doppelmayr 3SBahn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7iqhjTvDKk
Aerial trams have also made appearances as dramatic settings in action/adventure films. Here are a few examples:
Richard Burton battling Nazis on the Feurerkogel Swilbahn aerial tram in Ebensee, Austria in Where Eagles Dare-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2XsmQnr_MA
James Bond’s thrilling fight with Jaws on an aerial tram in Moonraker –
