A hospitality company is making a second attempt to build a massive aerial tram just outside Glacier National Park in Montana.
Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality submitted a proposal to the U.S. Forest Service on Oct. 1 for the Glacier View Tram, a year-round sightseeing tram that would climb the north side of Columbia Mountain near Hungry Horse. The proposed system would use two 100-passenger cabins to carry visitors more than 3,000 vertical feet in roughly six minutes.
“We are excited to bring forward a proposal that would introduce a new and accessible way for visitors of all ages and abilities to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Glacier National Park and surrounding areas. With a long history operating in some of the world’s most iconic destinations, we understand that proposing a new experience on national forest land carries a responsibility to the land, wildlife and the people who live and work here. We look forward to supporting the Forest Service’s review process as they evaluate our proposal.” -David Barry, President & CEO of Pursuit
The upper station would sit below the summit of Columbia Mountain, providing views toward Glacier National Park, the Flathead Valley and Hungry Horse Reservoir. The project is not approved, and the Forest Service says it is only beginning to evaluate whether the proposal should move forward.
Two 100-Passenger Tram Cars
Under Pursuit’s proposed Glacier View Tram plan, two large cabins would travel in opposite directions between a base near U.S. Highway 2 and an upper terminal on Columbia Mountain.
The tram would gain more than 3,000 vertical feet during a ride lasting approximately six minutes. Pursuit’s current proposal describes 100-passenger cabins. The system could have a theoretical peak capacity of roughly 1,000 passengers per hour, although Pursuit expects demand during busy periods to be closer to 600 passengers per hour.
“Tourism in the Flathead Valley is a key economic driver for the region; however, this important sector remains highly seasonal. If approved, the year-round experience provided by the proposed Glacier View Tram could help extend economic activity beyond the peak summer season. We also recognize that any potential benefits must be considered alongside questions about community fit, land use and environmental stewardship, and those are exactly the issues the Forest Service review process is designed to evaluate.” –Gary Rodgers, COO, Pursuit Pacific Northwest
The lower terminal would be built on Forest Service land south of Highway 2 near Hungry Horse. Plans call for guest services, a full-service restaurant, retail space, parking, an information center and connections to existing walking and hiking trails.
At the top, Pursuit proposes a smaller facility with the tram terminal, a cafe, viewing areas and accessible trails. The upper station would sit roughly 1,000 feet below the actual summit of Columbia Mountain and would be powered by renewable energy.
The Project Would Operate Year-Round
Unlike a ski resort chairlift, the proposed Glacier View Tram would primarily be a sightseeing attraction and would operate throughout the year.
Pursuit says the goal is to make higher-elevation mountain scenery accessible to visitors who cannot safely or practically reach similar terrain on foot. The company also argues that a year-round attraction could help extend tourism activity in the Flathead Valley beyond the busy summer months.
The project would be privately financed without taxpayer funding for construction or operation. The land would remain federally managed, and the tram would operate under a Forest Service special-use permit if it is ultimately approved. An economic analysis included with the proposal estimates the project could support approximately 230 jobs through construction and ongoing operations.
Pursuit already has a significant presence around Glacier National Park and the broader mountain tourism industry. The company has operated in northwest Montana for more than 60 years and owns lodging, attractions and transportation businesses around Glacier and other major mountain destinations.
The Forest Service Rejected A Similar Tram Proposal
This is not the first time Pursuit has tried to build a tram on Columbia Mountain. The company brought a similar proposal to the Flathead National Forest in 2022. The Forest Service ultimately rejected that concept because officials determined it was inconsistent with the recreational setting established under the 2018 Flathead National Forest plan.
The current proposal is pretty similar. According to the Flathead Beacon’s reporting on the renewed application, Forest Supervisor Anthony Botello said an initial review found no major changes to the project’s footprint or general design. Pursuit says the most significant difference is its plan to operate the tram year-round.
The upper terminal would also sit within an inventoried roadless area and core grizzly bear habitat, issues the Forest Service says will be considered as it evaluates the proposal. Pursuit does not currently plan to build a road to the upper station.
The Tram Has Not Been Approved
The new proposal still has a long way to go before construction could begin.
The Flathead National Forest received the submission Oct. 1 and is now conducting an initial screening to determine whether the project meets several requirements, including consistency with the forest plan, public need and Pursuit’s financial and technical ability to construct and operate the tram.
If it passes that screening, the proposal would advance into an environmental review process that includes public involvement. The Forest Service has also said it intends to gather public feedback during the initial screening because of the unusually high level of community interest surrounding the project.
Botello emphasized that the agency has not accepted the project at this stage. The Forest Service expects the initial review could take approximately 60 to 90 days given the complexity of the proposal.
A Major New Attraction Near Glacier National Park
If approved, the Glacier View Tram would add a substantial new piece of mountain infrastructure immediately outside one of America’s busiest national parks.
Glacier National Park has continued experimenting with ways to handle enormous visitor demand, including significant changes to access around Logan Pass and Going-to-the-Sun Road. In 2026, the park eliminated its broad vehicle reservation system while introducing new controls around some of its busiest destinations.
Pursuit says the tram is intended primarily for visitors who are already traveling through the Flathead Valley rather than as an attraction designed to independently generate large numbers of new visitors. The proposed location beside Highway 2 would put it along one of the major approaches to Glacier National Park’s west entrance.
Whether that vision fits Columbia Mountain and the Flathead National Forest is now up to the federal review process.
