The Best Ski Lifts in the World: Insights from Skiers and Fascinating Facts

Skiers are a passionate bunch, and when we asked our unofficial audience, “What is the best ski lift in the world?” the responses poured in with enthusiasm, humor, and a touch of nostalgia. These ranged from iconic trams to quirky rope tows. The hundreds of answers we received over the past few days reveal not just our favorite lifts, but also some great stories. Below, we’ve compiled the highlights, sprinkled in some fun facts, and created two charts to break down the data.

Palisades Tahoe – KT-22 aka The Mothership

Skiers’ Favorite Lifts: The Quotes That Stole the Show

The responses ranged from heartfelt to hilarious. Many skiers emphasized the moment, the company, or the powder over the lift itself. Here are some standout quotes:

Ben Jaskoski summed it up perfectly: “The one you’re riding on.” This sentiment echoed across many responses. Responders like Brad Warnick, Eric Baker, and Michael Bishop, all said the best lift is the one you’re on. It’s a reminder that skiing is about the experience, not just the mechanics.
Chris Cushing shared a list of personal favorites: “Chair 23 (Mammoth), Mineral Basin (Snowbird), JH tram, Bird tram.” These are heavy hitters, known for accessing some of the best terrain in North America.
Stefan Karakashian brought a wild fact to the table: “Mount Baker. They had to cut a channel in 26′ of snow for it to stay operating because the lift is only 18′ high.” That’s a testament to Mount Baker’s legendary snowfall. It averages over 600 inches annually!
Monk Sizzle and Scott Bancroft both shouted out l’Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix, France. This cable car climbs to 12,605 feet, offering jaw-dropping views of Mont Blanc and access to extreme off-piste runs.
Karl Stuber, Avery Diamond, Jeff Siewert, and others raved about the Single Chair at Mad River Glen, VT. This iconic lift, one of the last single chairs in the U.S., is a symbol of skiing’s soulful roots. It has a cult following for its charm and challenging terrain.
Ashley Muffett gave a nod to European innovation: “Austria has invested massively in 6/8/10 person lifts with heated seats and covers plus lots of gondolas. No queues, happy customers, not ripped off.” She specifically praised the Train in Wengen. It is a scenic marvel in Switzerland.
Drewbie Schaefer shared a thrilling memory: “The téléphérique to the top of Courmayeur… I followed a Ski School class across five avalanche drop zones, for the five craziest powder runs on my birthday! 2003(?).” That’s a bucket-list adventure!
John Mittel recounted a less pleasant experience: “Not the one I was rescued from. Black Jack Upper Michigan. 5 hours in a snow storm. Rope rescue, cold, wet in the dark.” A stark reminder that not every lift ride is smooth sailing.

Is This The Deepest Powder Segment Of All Time?

Fascinating Facts About the Top Picks

The responses highlighted lifts from around the world, each with unique features or stories. Here are some fun facts about the most frequently mentioned lifts:

Jackson Hole Tram (Wyoming, USA): Mentioned by Brent Zimmerman, Todd J Klein, Dan Cooper, and others, this tram climbs 4,139 vertical feet to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain. It’s nicknamed “Big Red” and can carry 100 skiers at a time. Riders get access to some of the steepest terrain in the U.S. Fact: It was upgraded in 2008 to handle Wyoming’s brutal winds and snow.
KT-22 at Palisades Tahoe (California, USA): Praised by David Allensworth, Roger Paul La Prairie, Jason Pratt, and others, KT-22 is a legend for accessing expert terrain like The Fingers. Fun fact: It’s named after Kick Turn 22, a nod to the 22 kick turns early skiers needed to descend the slope.
Single Chair at Mad River Glen (Vermont, USA): A favorite of Karl Stuber, Avery Diamond, Mark P. Renson, and others, this lift is a historic gem. Built in 1948, it’s one of the oldest continuously operating chairlifts in the world. It serves a co-op-owned resort that bans snowboarding to preserve its traditional vibe.
Aiguille du Midi (Chamonix, France): Loved by Scott Bancroft and Mike Bailey, this cable car is one of the highest in the world, reaching 12,605 feet. It’s a gateway to the Vallée Blanche, a 12-mile off-piste run. Fact: The upper section has no support towers, making it one of the longest cable car spans globally.
Snowbird Tram (Utah, USA): Mentioned by Chris Cushing, Glenn Brandon, and others, this tram ascends 2,900 vertical feet in just 8 minutes. It’s known for its access to Little Cottonwood Canyon’s deep powder. Fun fact: Snowbird averages 500 inches of snow annually, making it a powder hound’s paradise.
Revelstoke Gondola (British Columbia, Canada): Douglas Martin and Bryan Johnson highlighted this one for its record-breaking vertical rise of 5,620 feet. It is the longest in North America. It’s a gateway to Revelstoke’s vast backcountry.
Marte at Las Lhttps://www.onthesnow.com/argentina/las-lenas/reviewseñas (Argentina): Praised by Tim Konrad and others, this lift accesses some of South America’s most extreme terrain. Fact: Las Leñas is known for its steep chutes and unpredictable weather. This makes Marte a bucket-list ride for adventure seekers.

Breaking Down the Data: Three Charts

To visualize the responses, we’ve created three charts. The set includes a bar chart of the most popular lifts, a pie chart of lift types, and a scatter chart of sentiment vs. specificity.

1. Most Popular Lifts (Bar Chart)

This chart shows the lifts mentioned most frequently in the responses. We counted specific lift names (e.g., “Jackson Hole Tram”) and grouped vague answers (e.g., “the one I’m on”) as “General/Current Lift.”

Insight: The “General/Current Lift” category dominates, reflecting skiers’ love for the moment over a specific lift. The Jackson Hole Tram and Mad River Glen’s Single Chair stand out as clear favorites among named lifts.

2. Lift Types Mentioned (Pie Chart)

This chart categorizes responses by lift type: chairlifts, trams, gondolas, helicopters, or general/unspecified.

Insight: Chairlifts and general responses lead, but trams and gondolas are also popular, likely due to their scenic views and high-altitude access. Helicopters, while niche, reflect the allure of heli-skiing.

What Makes a Lift the “Best”?

The responses reveal that the “best” ski lift isn’t just about speed or capacity—it’s about the vibe. Whether it’s the solitude of a powder day (Josh Redder: “The one that I’m the only person on and it just dumped a foot of fresh pow pow”), the nostalgia of a vintage chair (Sean Kearns: “Mad River Glen… the lifties ‘rawked’. during races they gave us wool blankets”), or the sheer thrill of extreme terrain (Mike Bailey: “Aguille du Midi, best in world”), skiers value the memories and moments a lift enables.

Some trends emerged:

North American Favorites: Jackson Hole Tram, Snowbird Tram, KT-22, and Mad River Glen’s Single Chair dominated U.S. mentions, reflecting their iconic status.
European Innovation: Skiers like Ashley Muffett praised Austria and Switzerland for modern lifts with heated seats and no queues, a contrast to older U.S. infrastructure.
Humor and Heart: Many, like Steve Swan (“The one with a cold beer, a joint and a cute girl”), emphasized the joy of the ride itself, regardless of the lift.

Final Thoughts

The best ski lift in the world? It might just be the one you’re riding, surrounded by friends, fresh powder, or a killer view. From the historic Single Chair at Mad River Glen to the jaw-dropping Aiguille du Midi, each lift carries stories and adventures. So, next time you’re on a chair, tram, or even a “ganjala” (shoutout to Eric Baker), take a moment to soak it in—you’re on the best lift in the world, at least for that ride.

What’s your favorite ski lift? You can add your response here.