Big Sky/ Explorer Gondola (New 2025!)

Installed in 2025 as part of the Big Sky megaproject, this Doppelmayr D-Line Gondola is the 1st of it's kind in North America. It is the world's fastest detachable gondola/ropeway, with a max line speed of 1,400 FPM. The lift has been nothing short of a game changer for skiers and snowboarders with it's luxurious 10 passenger cabins, and a swift 8 minute ride time. The Gondola replaced the old Explorer double, which was a Heron-Poma fixed-grip double, which ran in that location from 1973-2025. The Explorer Gondola runs in it's predecessors liftline up until the mid-station where it turns left, and provides connectivity to the Lone Peak tram, and various other areas of the mountain. The old Explorer double only run up until where the current mid-station of this gondola is. The lift serves a vital purpose for foot traffic as well, as it now creates a seemless route from the base area up to the Lone Peak tram, for the scenic tram ride up to the Kircliff lookout. As said before, Explorer is a Doppelmayr 10 passenger detachable gondola, but unlike other gondola's with a mid-station, the cabins cannot turn around at the mid-station due to there onky being one bullwheel. The cabins are parked at a mid unload garage located underneath the mid-station every night. The lift uses Doppelmayr towers, sheaves, 3 D-Line R2 terminals, and the drive is located at the mid-station. The gondola has a capacity of 3,270 pph, a length of 8,273 feet and a vertical rise of 1,449 feet. The lift is a game changer for Big Sky and will be so for decades to come. Recorded on February 15th, 2026. Camera: GoPro Hero 11 black/Horizon lock setting.