Steamboat Gondola

Steamboat's famous gondola was the first monocable 8 passenger gondola in the world when it was constructed by Doppelmayr in 1986, traveling from the base area of Steamboat (now known as Gondola square) to Thunderhead Lodge and the top of the Thunderhead Express. Both terminals are enclosed in large buildings, the top terminal has a large cabin parking facility and cargo loading area integrated into the same building as the restaurant. The gondola has a capacity of 2,800 people per hour, with a vertical rise of 2,170 feet and a total inclined length of 8,823 feet. The lift was formerly known as the "Silver Bullet Gondola" and replaced a 1970 4 passenger Bell gondola that ran the same route. This recording of the lift (from Februrary of 2017) shows the lifts original chain driven contour systems and double DS grips, however in the summer of 2017 the lift will be retrofitted by Doppelmayr with new Agamatic grips and tire contours in both terminals. The gondola does have first generation CWA Omega cabins which will not be replaced as a part of the retrofitting process. The Steamboat Gondola runs in the summer and winter as the main out of base lift and as the primary route to the Champagne Powder playgrounds that lie above. Towers: 30 Cabins: 126