10 longest ski lifts in the world

While some diehards prefer skinning up and earning their turns, most of us are perfectly happy with jumping on a lift to access the good stuff. Get a little rest, have a snack, make some new friends. Lifts are the best! But did you know some ski resorts take the idea of a ‘long’ lift to the extreme? Let’s look at the lengthiest rides out there — and believe us, these stats are insane!

Oh, and chilling out in one of the world’s longest lifts gives others plenty of time to check out your style. So, give them something to look at with a new ski jacket or ski bib from our latest ski clothing collection. 

The longest gondolas

Zlatibor Gold Gondola, Serbia

Head to Serbia’s Tornik Ski Center, where you’ll discover a family-friendly ski area surrounded by stunning scenery. And, to get there, you need to step into the Zlatibor Gold Gondola, the world’s longest lift at a whopping 5.6 miles/9 kilometers. It takes you and 999 other riders per hour from Zlatibor’s center to Zlatibor Mountain in 30 minutes. That’s enough time to watch a Friends episode or catch a quick power nap. 

Make sure you’re awake to catch the panoramic views across western Serbia, though. And have your phone ready to snap scenes – the lift covers around 20 feet/6 meters per second across an altitude difference of 1,739 feet/530 meters. Wish you could have a bit more time to capture the awesome Ribničko Lake? No worries – the Zlatibor Gold Gondola has a mid-station at the lake. After that, it’s straight up to the final gondola station at Tornik’s summit, standing at 4,908 feet/1,496 meters.

Tochal Cable Car, Iran

Okay, Iran might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of a ski resort. However, you should definitely consider it – if not for the fact it holds one of the world’s longest gondolas! Yep, the Tochal Cable Car (also known as the Tochal Telecabin) carries you 4.6 miles/7.4 kilometers from Tehran to Tochal Complex and Ski Resort at 12,467 feet/3,800 meters. Once there, jump on another gondola to reach the summit. 

On Tochal Mountain, you have three distinct ski areas and over 3 miles/5 kilometers of slopes to shred. Check out the blue-rated, cruisey 3,937-foot/1,200-meter trail. It starts at the peak (12,631 feet/3,850 meters) and winds down to the Tochal Hotel at 11,483 feet/3,500 meters. If you’d rather switch things up, don’t worry. Tochal Complex has a paintball field (yes, really), archery, bungee jumping, and more, alongside cafés and restaurants. 

Schilthorn Cable Car, Switzerland

Take a seat on the Schilthorn Gondola Cable Car, a 4.3-mile/6.9-kilometer-long ride in the Mürren-Schilthorn ski area. This whisks you from the village of Stechelberg to Mürren’s upper slopes in around 30 minutes. You might want to spend that time stretching and limbering up. You’ll need it for taking on some pretty extreme runs, such as the black-rated Schilthorn Abfahrt or Bond, a short but gnarly trail.

On the way up, you’ll look out over the epic Jungfrau Region. But it’s at the top where your eyes will feast over the 360-degree panoramic views. And speaking of a feast, book a table at the summit’s 360° Restaurant Piz Gloria. You might recognize it from James Bond’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. There, you’ll pair mouth-watering local dishes (or a shaken, not stirred martini) with mind-boggling vistas from 9,744 feet/2,970 meters. 

Grindelwald–Männlichen Gondola Cable Car, Switzerland

Opened in 1978, the two-stage, 10-seater Grindelwald–Männlichen Gondola Cable Car in Grindelwald might be one of the oldest on our list. But it still upholds a legendary status, allowing you to travel over 3.8 miles/6.1 kilometers in 19 minutes. And it goes up and up, too, taking you from Grindelwald Grund to the Männlichen peak at 7,867 feet/2,398 meters.  

If you can, make sure to look down during the ascent. You’ll see cute Swiss villages alongside dreamy Alpine lakes and stunning surroundings across the Jungfrau Region. Once at the top, you’ll have insane views of the Eiger and access to 63 miles/101 kilometers of snow-sure slopes. 

Funicamp, Andorra

At 3.7 miles/6 kilometers long, Funicamp (also known as Telecabina d'Encamp) is easily one of Europe’s – and the world’s – longest ski lifts. It takes you from Encamp (a charming little town) to the shred spot in just 20 minutes. You’ll cruise over the Cortals Valley at an altitude of over 8,202 feet/2,500 meters before reaching dreamy, wide-open slopes and sweeping panoramic views. 

From the top of the lift, you can access the iconic Grandvalira, the Pyrenees’s largest interconnected ski area. You’ll discover seven zones with over 130 miles/210 kilometers of trails to shred, rip ‘n’ cruise. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, don’t forget to check out El Racó de Solanelles, a restaurant at the top of the Encamp lift. It specializes in Argentinian-style grilled meat dishes – perfect for refueling before ripping.

Wild Blue Gondola, US

We’re going across the pond now with our first US entry: the Wild Blue Gondola in Steamboat, Colorado. Measuring 3.16 miles/5.08 kilometers long, this lift effortlessly transports you from the base in Steamboat Square (6,900 feet/2,103 meters) to Sunshine Peak (10,384 feet/3,165 meters) in just 13 minutes. Oh, and each cabin carries 10 people – more than enough room for you and your crew.

It’s handy to remember that the Wild Blue Gondola opens at 8-8.15 am for first tracks. And trust us: claiming freshies in Champagne Powder® – Steamboat’s unique, trademarked pow – is 100% worth getting up early for. So, sharpen those elbows and make sure you’re in the first cabin after a dumping.

Silver Mountain Gondola, US

Wishing you could get to the trails without any mid-stations? Check out Silver Mountain Gondola in Idaho. This 3.1-mile/4.9-kilometer-long single-stage lift transports you from downtown Kellogg to the Silver Mountain Resort ski area in one hit. 

Okay, the Silver Mountain Gondola doesn’t quite take you to the summit. However, it carries you to the Mountain House terminal, around one-third up Kellogg Peak. From there, you can catch more lifts and conquer 73 trails and 2,200 feet/670.5 meters of vertical drop. Fancy a summer MTB shred, too? Keep your eyes peeled for Silver Mountain’s Ride & Dine events. Your ticket includes the gondola ride, a mountaintop BBQ dinner, and music from local musicians. Dreamy. 

Banff Sunshine Gondola, US

Banff Sunshine Village’s only gondola is also one of the world’s longest (2.82 miles/4.5 kilometers long). You’ll hop on in of the colorful cabins in the parking lot at 5,446 feet/1,660 meters and kick back as the lift takes you to 7,083 feet/2,159 meters in just over 18 minutes. This lift is the heart of the resort, transporting everything needed to Banff Sunshine Village – alongside 2,800 shredders per hour at full capacity.  

The gondola has four stations, with Goat’s Eye Mountain being one of the first. This area is pretty gnarly, though. You’ll find The Wild West, an expert-only freeride zone, and steep ‘n’ deep runs off the Goat’s Eye Express (Banff Sunshine’s most challenging lift). You can change at the village, too, and head up Lookout Mountain for further insane trails and epic scenery. 

Zugspitze Gondola, Germany

When visiting Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you’ll want to get up on the glacier for some cruisey laps. And if you’re setting off from the valley floor, the super-long Zugspitze Cable Car has you covered. Yep, this 2017 gondola is a lengthy 2.8 miles/4.5 kilometers long, whisking you to the summit of Zugspitze mountain – Germany’s loftiest peak at 8,832 feet/2,692 meters – in approximately 11 minutes. The two gondolas have heated seats and Wi-Fi, each fitting 120 riders.  

The Zugspitze Cable Car also holds the world’s longest unsupported cable span, with an impressive 1.9-mile/3.2-kilometer stretch between its support towers. One tower is the world’s tallest, shooting up to 417 feet/127 meters. If your mind hasn’t been overloaded with those facts, check out the jaw-dropping views through the gondola’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Your mind’s bound to boggle at Lake Eibsee and the Zugspitze’s impressive face.

PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, Canada

When a lift connects two iconic mountains (Whistler and Blackcomb), you know it’s going to be epic. And the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola is epic in design and length, at a whopping 2.7 miles/4.4 kilometers with no stops. It has to be long, though. How else can you rip ‘n’ shred BC’s two legendary spots in one day? 

Just make sure you’re okay with looking down for this one. The 28-passenger PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola travels at a stomach-dropping 1,427 feet/434 meters over a ravine and the vast Canadian wilderness. It has a 1.8-mile/3 kilometer unsupported span, too. Want to really test your nerve? Jump in one of its two glass-bottomed cabins. 

Wrapping up 

Is your mind overflowing with facts and knowledge about the world’s lengthiest lifts? We hope so! Now, you can boss Trivial Pursuit or impress like-minded snow-obsessed friends.

Speaking of like-minded people, don’t forget to join our Dope Snow Community Facebook Group. Chat with fellow riders, post pics (especially if you’re on a record-breaking gondola), share insider tips, and experience exclusive previews of our upcoming styles and collections. We’ll see ya there!

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