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Park news · Glacier

A Scenic Aerial Tramway in the Works at Glacier's Doorstep

A scenic aerial tramway near Glacier is under review by the U.S. Forest Service. Here's what we know so far, according to Morningstar.

By Victoria Boissonade,

If you're planning a trip to northwest Montana, here's an idea to keep in mind as you map out future trips. A scenic aerial tramway is currently under study near the park, and it could change the way you gain elevation in this corner of the Rockies.

The proposal is still in its early stages. According to Morningstar, an application for a Special Use Permit has been filed with the U.S. Forest Service and remains under review. So nothing is settled yet. No opening date has been announced, and the project will have to clear regulatory hurdles before a single cabin goes up.

Two cable cars cross a forested valley in autumn, with a lake below and a range of snow-covered mountains beyond

The proposed site sits outside the park's own boundaries. Again according to Morningstar, the lift would climb the north slope of Columbia Mountain, in Flathead National Forest, near Hungry Horse. So we're still in Glacier's immediate surroundings, on land managed by the Forest Service rather than the National Park Service.

The figures floated give a sense of the project's scale. The tramway would run two cabins carrying one hundred passengers each, and would climb more than 3,000 feet in about six minutes, according to Morningstar. The same source mentions year-round operation, which, if it comes to pass, would open up a high-elevation viewpoint even outside the warm season.

On the funding side, Morningstar reports that the backer is Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality (traded under NYSE: PRSU), and that the venture would move forward without public funds. So this is a private initiative, separate from the park's official facilities.

For now, nothing changes on the ground for your trip. The project is still at the administrative review stage. We'll keep track of how it progresses and mention it if a decision comes down. In the meantime, the classic viewpoints and access points are still the ones we cover in the Glacier National Park guide, with the real must-see overlooks to catch while you're there.