Tram – Alyeska, AK

This aerial tramway opened as part of a major northern expansion of Alyeska Resort in 1992.
The top terminal complex includes multiple restaurants and shops.
Track rope bollard.
A cabin in the top dock.
View down from the top terminal.
There are many bullwheels in the top terminal.
Avalanches are a huge consideration here and so the only tower has a huge protective wall.
Top dock with restaurant above.
A cabin with vinyl graphics.
View up the lift line.
The line gauge on this lift is very wide.
Each bottom dock has its own roof structure.
CWA cabin.
The lift was built by VonRoll tramways.
Upper part of the lift line.
Lower station building.
Side view of the bottom station building.
This building also houses drive equipment.
Tram car with water tank.
Looking up at the top terminal.
A cabin with a view.
The only tower.
Another view of the tower.
Cabin swinging over the tower.
The tram opened alongside a Poma quad and huge hotel development.
Cabins passing at the halfway point.
The hangers on these cabins are very tall due to the steep profile of the lift.
The bottom part of the line is very high off the ground.
This lift ascends the north face of the resort.
Another view of the tower.
Floating haul rope counterweight.
Lift overview.
The tower and top building.
Operator controls.
Line speed is 2,000 feet per minute and the ride is very quick.

11 thoughts on “Tram – Alyeska, AK”

  1. Will March 12, 2020 / 11:32 pm

    Why the water tank? Is there not a well up at the restaurant?

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  2. pnwrider March 17, 2020 / 1:59 pm

    Von Roll lifts are always so gorgeous!

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  3. wolf February 9, 2021 / 12:40 pm

    Yeah, why the water tank?

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    • Joe Blake October 16, 2021 / 12:28 pm

      To get water to the lodge. Snowbird’s tram has them as well.

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      • 9412vcummins April 4, 2022 / 12:41 pm

        Its to weigh down the tram during windy days. Snowbird has water tanks underneath the tram car.

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        • Tyler Baroody November 24, 2022 / 12:08 pm

          There is a water tank on only one cabin in these photographs.

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        • 9412vcummins November 24, 2022 / 8:27 pm

          You’re right, it was probably used for the ski patrol building at the top of hidden peak before the days of the summit lodge.

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        • Nic Gili December 20, 2023 / 11:08 am

          They put 55gal drums in the cabins on windy days :)

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  4. gettheyoyo February 1, 2023 / 6:10 pm

    is the liftline almost triangular? The bottom terminal seems a whole lot wider than the top does.

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    • ShangRei Garrett February 1, 2023 / 8:59 pm

      The gauge change is not near as big as it looks

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