Sightseeing Tram Proposed Near Glacier National Park

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Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality today submitted a proposal to build an aerial tram near Hungry Horse, Montana. The 100 passenger Glacier View Tram would carry riders up Columbia Mountain, located just 10 minutes from the west entrance to Glacier National Park. The jig-back system would operate year-round and ascend more than 3,000 vertical feet in six minutes, traveling at 1,900 feet per minute. It would occupy federal land and require approval from the Flathead National Forest. The Forest Service rejected a similar proposal in 2022.

Denver-based Pursuit already operates sightseeing ropeways in Banff and Jasper, Alberta as well as hotels and attractions around Glacier and Waterton parks. The new tram’s valley station would sit on a Forest Service parcel adjacent to US Highway 2 and include walking trails, a full-service restaurant, retail space, day-use parking, guest services and a visitor information center. The tram would rise from the valley and cross the Flathead River with views of Glacier. Near the top, it would pass a single, tall tower before terminating on a shoulder 1,000 feet below Columbia Mountain’s summit. The ADA-accessible upper station would include a small cafe, skywalk and hiking trails. “The tram’s single-tower design would minimize land disturbance, and its placement would help reduce visual impact, noted Pursuit. “The top station would be powered by renewable energy and equipped with composting toilet systems.” No roads are planned to the top or tower with construction utilizing similar techniques as the new Big Sky tram. Pursuit estimates the project would create 100 direct jobs and support 130 more in the area.

“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,” said David Barry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pursuit. “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.”

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Cypress Mountain Eyes Fleet Renewal

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All but one of Cypress Mountain’s six chairlifts would be replaced under a proposed Development Plan released yesterday and up for public consultation. As the largest of Metro Vancouver’s three ski areas, Cypress operates a fleet of five quads and one double, several of which are approaching the end of their useful life. Whistler-based Brent Harley and Associates (BHA) prepared the 60 year plan, which seeks to improve Cypress within its existing footprint rather than expanding. Approval of the vision and individual projects will rest with BC Parks as the ski area occupies Cypress Provincial Park.

Michigan-based Boyne Resorts took over Cypress in 2001 and immediately installed two Doppelmayr quad chairs now approaching 30 years old. Easy Rider, British Columbia’s third shortest chairlift, would be removed for two conveyors as part of a purpose-built learning expansion. Together with a new ski school building, learning forms the “centrepiece” of BHA’s plan. Vancouver is expected to add 700,000 residents by 2045, the majority of which will be immigrants or children of immigrants who don’t ski. Carpets are now considered easier for new skiers to learn than chairlifts. New conveyors would be positioned to break up existing terrain into shorter lengths of consistent grade. Once removed, the former beginner quad may be relocated and lengthened to replace Midway, the oldest lift at Cypress. The new quad would be called Lower Bowen, running closer to Lions Express and unloading lower on Mt. Strachan.

The second of Boyne’s original installs is Eagle Express. The development plan envisions a six pack replacing the detachable quad, transporting 2,800 skiers per hour (up from 2,200.) Eagle would also serve the Gravity Logic-designed Cypress Bike Park, set to open next summer. One thing a new Eagle won’t carry is mountain coaster carts. The current Eagle pipe coaster is expected to be removed and a new coaster with integrated uplift built near Easy Rider.

Further down the line Cypress envisions installing the Lower Mainland’s first eight place chairlift, joining fellow Boyne Resorts Big Sky, Boyne Mountain, Loon Mountain and Sunday River in the eight place club. Lions 8 would carryt 3,200 skiers per hour, 33 percent more than the current lift constructed for the 2010 Olympics. Finally Cypress plans to replace the Raven Ridge quad, a 1997 Poma fixed-grip with relatively long ride time. A detachable quad would reduce sit time and boost throughput from 2,000 skiers per hour to 2,200. This project could utilize equipment from one of Cypress’ existing detachable quads or one from elsewhere in the Boyne network.

“Together these lift improvements will modernize the lift network, increase beginner ski terrain, and improve circulation and the lift experience across the mountain,” BHA noted. “These changes modestly increase the Alpine Comfortable Carrying Capacity (CCC) from 4,713 to 4,866 skiers per day, while bringing the terrain offering into closer alignment with the skier marketplace.” In addition to lifts, Cypress envisions expanding snowmaking and adding year-round attractions such as a via ferrata, alpine viewing platforms and an aerial adventure park. Parking and facility expansions are also planned.

Cypress will host open houses on September 25th and 26th for the public to learn more. Folks can also share feedback with BC Parks online through November 16th.

Holiday Valley to Replace Cindy’s Quad

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A fifth detachable chairlift will debut at Holiday Valley next year, the resort announced yesterday. Preliminary work has already begun on the Doppelmayr high-speed quad, set to run in a new alignment along the Foxfire trail. A 1991 CTEC quad named Cindy’s will be removed, leaving the Cindy’s trail free of chairlift towers for the first time since 1978.

Holiday Valley’s on mountain team is already working to remove trees and widen Foxfire in preparation for lift installation. The new lift is expected to debut for the resort’s 70th anniversary season in 2027-28.

Doppelmayr Reports Strong Financial Results

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The Doppelmayr Group today reported positive results for fiscal year 2025-26, representing April 2025 through March 2026. The firm realized 109 ropeway systems and 45 logistics projects across 25 countries with revenue of €1.306 billion (US$1.506 billion). That represents a 9.1 percent increase versus fiscal year 2024-25. Employee headcount rose 5.4 percent to 3,987 FTEs worldwide. Doppelmayr does not publicly release profit figures.

Switzerland, France and Italy together comprised the largest share of revenue at approximately $467 million, with the marquee Campitello–Col Rodella 3S opening in the Dolomites and the first TRI-Line debuting in Hoch-Ybrig, Switzerland. The United States and Canada together formed Doppelmayr’s second largest market with approximately $346 million in revenue. Major projects here included the Explorer Gondola at Big Sky Resort and East Village Gondola at Deer Valley. Doppelmayr’s home market of Austria represented approximately $286 million or 19 percent of revenue. Latin America, Southeast Asia and Central/Eastern Europe each accounted for under five percent while the rest of the world made up 15 percent of revenue. “Our markets once again proved very robust in the business year 2025/26,” noted Thomas Pichler, Managing Director of Doppelmayr Holding SE. “We successfully implemented numerous extraordinary projects extending from Austria and the entire Alpine region to North America and Asia. This broad international positioning provides stability while also opening up new opportunities for further growth.”

The company described current conditions in certain markets as “challenging.” In the United States and Canada, project count is down about 20 percent this calendar year from last year. Doppelmayr remains bullish on the future, however. The 133-year-old company expects to open new country headquarters and manufacturing hubs in Salt Lake City, Utah and Saint-Jérôme, Québec next month. “With its strong market position, innovative technologies, and broad international footprint, the Doppelmayr Group considers itself well equipped for the future,” Doppelmayr said. “In the years ahead, the company will continue to invest strategically in research and development, digitalization, and the further development of its sites and employees.”

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