Why you should experience the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram in Jackson, Wyoming.
The Jackson Hole Aerial Tram in Jackson, Wyoming is more than a lift, it's a rite of passage, a slow, breathtaking climb that delivers you straight into the heart of the Tetons.
Locals call it “Big Red,” a 100-passenger cabin that glides from the base of Teton Village to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain in just 12 minutes, but those twelve minutes can feel like something closer to revelation. As it rises, the valley drops away and the entire world opens up, the Snake River snaking through green pasture, the jagged spine of the Grand Teton glowing in the morning light, and a vastness so wild it humbles even the most seasoned travelers. From the summit, you can see three states and what feels like the edge of forever. It's an experience that collapses the distance between earth and sky, one that reminds you exactly why people fall in love with this corner of Wyoming. The tram doesn't just move you upward, it lifts you into perspective.
What you didn't know about the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram.
The story of the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram is really the story of how a ski town dared to dream like the Alps.
When it first opened in 1966, it was the longest continuous lift in North America, carrying skiers and sightseers to 10,450 feet, a technical and emotional triumph that put Jackson Hole on the global map. Its nickname, “Big Red,” came naturally: the iconic red car became a moving symbol of adventure, seen in postcards, films, and ski magazines around the world. When the original tram retired in 2006, locals mourned like they'd lost a friend. But just two years later, a new tram was unveiled, sleeker, faster, stronger, and built to carry on the mountain's legacy. Beyond the engineering, it represents something deeply human: the need to rise, to see from above, to measure ourselves against something larger. At the top, a small waffle hut called Corbet's Cabin has become its own legend, serving golden, sugar-dusted waffles to shivering travelers who can't stop smiling. In summer, hikers step out into alpine tundra and wildflower meadows, while winter brings some of the steepest inbounds skiing in the U.S., including the infamous Corbet's Couloir, a drop so vertical it's almost a dare. Every generation that rides the tram adds another layer to its mythology.
How to fold the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram into your trip.
Start early, when the air is still thin and cold, and the Tetons glow like embers in the sunrise.
If you're visiting in winter, ride the tram with skiers and boarders whose faces are half nerves, half excitement, you'll feel the collective heartbeat of the mountain community. Even if you don't plan to ski, the summit is worth the journey: step off and walk to the overlook, where the entire valley stretches out beneath you like a painting. Grab a hot chocolate or waffle at Corbet's Cabin, then linger. This isn't a place to rush. In summer, trade the snow for hiking boots, trails lead from the top down into wildflower fields, where marmots dart between rocks and the air smells like pine and cold stone. You can hike partway down to the gondola or ride the tram both ways; either way, you'll remember that view for the rest of your life. Back at the base, treat yourself to an après drink at The Handle Bar or Spur, where everyone seems to speak the same language, awe mixed with satisfaction. Whether it's your first time up or your fiftieth, the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram is less about altitude and more about arrival, the moment you realize that some places don't just take your breath away; they give it back cleaner, sharper, and full of wonder.
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