Explorer Gondola Construction Updates

Explorer Chairlift Decommissioning

As one chapter ends, both our community and the mountain benefit in meaningful ways. The Explorer lift's legacy will live on throughout Big Sky—not just in memories, but in tangible benefits for our community and in the homes of many who cherish a piece of skiing history.

Last month's Explorer lift chair fundraiser raised a total of $162,600 for three vital local non-profit organizations: the Big Sky Community Housing Trust, Gallatin River Task Force, and Wellness in Action. Each organization will receive $54,200 to support affordable housing initiatives, river conservation efforts, and community wellness—investments that strengthen the foundation of our mountain community.

The Explorer 2 chairlift was officially decommissioned on March 30th after 51 years of service as one of the four original lifts that opened with the resort in 1973. All 125 historic chairs were sold online in less than 30 minutes when the sale launched on March 20, 2025, with chairs picked up during the first week of April. Each chair now has a new home and a new story to tell, while making way for the future of mountain access at Big Sky Resort.

Demolition of the former lift infrastructure is now complete, along with extensive earthwork to prepare for the new Explorer Gondola. Throughout April and May, our teams will be undertaking the foundational work that will support this state-of-the-art transportation system.

Join us on this journey as we build the future of Big Sky, one milestone at a time. Stay tuned for our next update as we break ground on the lower terminal foundations that will support your new gateway to the mountain.

Explorer Gondola: A New Chapter in Big Sky's Legacy

On March 31, we begin our final phase of the multi-year installation of the Explorer Gondola, set to transform mountain access for skiers and riders of all abilities. This project represents a meaningful evolution in Big Sky's history, as we honor the legacy of the last original Big Sky lift from 1973 while creating new possibilities for future generations.

The Explorer Gondola will revolutionize mountain access, providing seamless connectivity from the base to beginner terrain via the mid-station and allowing guests to travel all the way to the summit of Lone Mountain through the new tram connection at the gondola upper station.

As construction progresses this spring, visitors should be aware of several impacts, including the Explorer 2 lift closure starting March 30th and parking limitations in the existing carpool and Lone Peak lots throughout April due to construction activities and helicopter staging. We appreciate your patience as we build the next chapter of Big Sky's story!

Explorer Gondola Construction Update: Transforming Mountain Access

Teams have made remarkable progress on the innovative Explorer Gondola project this year, a game-changing addition that will revolutionize guest access and the mountain experience at Big Sky Resort. Construction has been steadily advancing, marking significant milestones that bring us closer to an unprecedented way of exploring the mountain.

Project Highlights:

Summer 2023 began with earthwork and foundation construction at the mid-station. This summer, the mid-station saw the installation of lift components in partnership with Doppelmayr, bringing the structure near completion. All 83 gondola cabins will be stored each evening within the 21,000-square-foot mid-station below-grade parking structure.

The upper terminal foundational work was completed this summer—which involved challenging excavation, rock blasting, micropile installation, concrete, and steel erection—setting the stage for Doppelmayr to complete lift component installation next summer.

Looking ahead, the lower terminal will begin construction on March 30th, 2025. The entire structure and lift terminal will be completed in the 2025 off-season, promising an exciting unveiling for the Winter 25/26 season. 

The Explorer Gondola represents more than just a new lift—it's set to redefine the mountain experience at Big Sky by connecting guests to the mountain’s impressive beginner and advanced terrain.

For the first time, guests will enjoy seamless connectivity from the base area to the summit via the gondola tram connectivity, opening unprecedented possibilities for exploration, accessibility, and mountain enjoyment.

Important Guest Access Information:

Starting March 30, the existing Explorer Lift will close to facilitate construction of the new gondola lower terminal. We are excited to bring you another lift that will dramatically improve your Big Sky experience.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to build the future of mountain experiences at Big Sky Resort.

Mid-station Foundations & Cabin Garage

In the summer of 2023, teams poured 2500 cubic yards of concrete to create the foundation of the gondola cabin garage and footers for the mid-station. The garage totals 21,000 square feet of cabin storage and maintenance space, and the terminal itself is an additional 7,000 square feet.

Work will begin on the top and lower gondola terminals once the lifts close for the winter 2023-24 season. Both locations require technical design and construction. The top terminal needs a unique foundation system due to seismic loading and lateral earth pressures, and the bottom terminal location is subject to seasonal groundwater flooding during snowmelt in the spring. While construction progresses at the bottom terminal during the summer of 2024, teams will also work to shore the existing Explorer tower footings to allow the lift to operate for the winter 2024-25 season. Solutions, including a temporary operator house and a temporary loading platform at the Explorer lift, are being explored to make the overlap in construction and operations possible.