BIG SKY — In her quest to visit all 50 states, Texas resident Lynda Blackburn set her sights on reaching new heights without taking a plane when she ventured to Montana. Riding the Lone Peak Tram to the summit of the 11,166-foot mountain on July 5 was a thrilling experience for her.
“I absolutely loved it,” exclaimed the 82-year-old after disembarking from the large cabin suspended from a cable for the 4,600-foot ride. “It’s truly amazing.”
Using a cane for support on the tram platform, Blackburn transitioned to a four-wheel-drive pickup. The truck, equipped with seats in the bed, swiftly transported Blackburn and the group over a short distance, as noted by guide Tim Dietz. The shuttle halted at the top of the Swift Current chairlift, allowing tour participants to descend back to the ski area’s base.
Lynda Blackburn steps off the Lone Peak Tram after a tour to the top of the 11,166-foot peak. The cars can hold 75, but are limited to about 50 in the winter. At top speed, the tram runs at 23 mph.
New tram
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While the grand opening of the Lone Peak Tram took place during ski season, certain sections are still undergoing construction. An assembly of a clear geodesic dome near the tram base is in progress by weekday crews, limiting tram tours like the one Blackburn participated in to weekends.
The ongoing construction of an additional tram is just one of several projects Big Sky Resort is undertaking this summer. Heavy machinery operates across the mountainside, welders are hard at work, and crane arms position large metal rebar pieces. Among these projects is the foundation construction for a new gondola that will ascend from the base area to the tram.
“In a couple of years, when our new gondola is completed, you’ll be able to step out of your hotel room, hop onto the gondola for a fully enclosed ride,” Dietz mentioned to the tour group en route to the tram. “You can take the gondola all the way up to the base of the tram, and then ride the tram to the peak. And you could potentially do all this in your slippers with coffee in hand, no ski boots required. You don’t even have to be an avid skier, which is fantastic.”
The diverse group of individuals taking the tour to Big Sky Resort’s summit perfectly embodies the vision Stacie Harris had when her employer, Boyne Resorts USA, announced the resumption of summer tours to Lone Mountain after a three-year hiatus on July 4. The goal was to make one of the most extreme environments accessible to everyone.
“In future summers, this tour could potentially be self-guided,” explained Harris, the resort’s public relations manager. “You could reach the top of Lone Peak in 18-20 minutes.”
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