Ski · Aspen Mountain
The Silver Queen Gondola
Fifteen minutes from the edge of town to the top of Aspen Mountain. When it runs, what it costs, and how to make the most of the ride, whether you ski or not.
Fifteen minutes from the edge of town to the top of Aspen Mountain. When it runs, what it costs, and how to make the most of the ride, whether you ski or not.
The Silver Queen Gondola rises 3,267 vertical feet from downtown Aspen to the summit of Aspen Mountain at 11,212 feet, in about 15 minutes each way. Non-skiers can ride it in winter and summer: winter sightseeing starts at $41, and a summer single ride is $40 for adults.
Dates, hours and prices are from Aspen Snowmass's sightseeing pages, checked September 2026. The gondola runs weather permitting; high wind closes it.
Paul Montiel · Aspen · Updated September 2026
Skiers ride on their lift ticket; see lift tickets and passes. Walk-on sightseers share the cabins with skiers, so a late-morning ride after the first rush is calmer.
Buy online for a date (no time slot needed) or same day at the ticket office. Summer on top means hiking, a free 18-hole disc golf course, concerts and events at the Sundeck; the ride down is the easy way home after hiking up.
The summit is over 11,000 feet. On day one, ride up, sit, have lunch and ride down; save the hike for later. See the first 48 hours.
Afternoon storms build in summer; the views are best before lunch.
In winter, the gondola lets non-skiers meet skiers at the Sundeck for lunch. See Aspen for non-skiers.
Snowmass's Elk Camp Gondola runs for winter sightseeing too (November 26 to April 11), with the Alpine Coaster nearby.
In summer 2026, a single ride is $40 for adults (13+) and $30 for children 7–12; 6 and under ride free. Winter sightseeing tickets start at $41.
Yes. Winter sightseeing runs November 26, 2026 to April 18, 2027, uploading 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the last ride down at 4 p.m.
About 15 minutes each way, rising 3,267 vertical feet to 11,212 feet.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., last ride down 4:30 p.m., daily from about late June to early September and on weekends before and after.
In summer, well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome on the gondola and the summit trails.
A driver to the base, lunch at the top booked, a photographer for the family on the summit, and a massage at the house afterwards.
A car and driver on call for dinner and the night out, so nobody hunts for a taxi at midnight.
A local Roaring Fork Valley photographer, English and Spanish speaking, for family portraits, couples, proposals, celebrations and private dinners, in town, at the house or out in the valley.
A therapist at the residence after travel or skiing.
Delivered before arrival for the first nights at altitude.
Aspen Snowmass: winter sightseeing · Aspen Snowmass: summer sightseeing — checked September 29, 2026.
Tell us who's coming and what they'd enjoy. We'll arrange the day around the ride up, skiing or not.
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