Saluda Skyride – Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, SC

This lift opened in 2025, replacing a ground-based tram system connecting a zoo and botanical garden.
The return terminal sits in the zoo with a large maze area and plaza.
There are 19 cabins with floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors.
Several of the towers are quite large.
Tower 2.
The cabins cross over a river and climb up a hill on their way to the garden.
View toward tower 3 on the south side of the Salida River.
The gondola’s namesake river.
Each cabin has six windows that open due to the warm locale.
Side view of the river crossing.
Another view of a Sigma Diamond EVO cabin.
Tower 5 and the top terminal.
The top terminal at the botanical garden houses parking, a maintenance bay and the lift’s drive.
Riding down from the garden back to the zoo.
Tall tower 3.
A cabin passing over the river.
Sliding doors.
Tower 2.
View back toward the zoo.
Arriving at the drive terminal.
Side view of tower 5.
Upper station overview.
Looking across the river to the return station.
Another view of tower 3.
Side view of the return station.
Towers 1 and 2 on the north side of the river.
Zoo station.
Due to the volume of strollers and wheelchairs, one side of each cabin has seats that automatically fold up.
Cabin doors.
This station houses a small direct drive.
Garden station overview.
View down from the top.
Cabins in the drive station.
Top station turnaround area.
Bench with individual seats.
Tower 4.
Tower 3.
Cabins in the zoo station.
Lift overview.

4 thoughts on “Saluda Skyride – Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, SC”

  1. Alex Kennedy's avatar Alex Kennedy September 4, 2025 / 2:41 pm

    How fast do they run this? I’m surprised this received a direct drive as well, I’d guess its capable of going pretty quick, but they turn it down.

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    • Peter Landsman's avatar Peter Landsman September 4, 2025 / 3:04 pm

      Today it was running quite slow – around 500 feet a minute. You’re probably right that it could go faster when they’re trying to move people. They seem to have done it right with options for the future. Big maze areas, full parking, extra cabins, direct drive.

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  2. Coloradoskilifts's avatar Coloradoskilifts September 4, 2025 / 6:26 pm

    Beautiful gondola!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Lachlan's avatar Lachlan September 5, 2025 / 8:35 am

      I love the big windows

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