Fall Foliage Chairlift Rides
Gliding up a mountain on a chairlift offers new perspective on leaf peeping. Hillsides blaze with red, orange, and yellow. The crisp air smells like fall. From above, forests, mountains, and rivers make a tapestry.
rise up
Opportunities Abound
More than a dozen ski areas in Vermont offer opportunities to see the colors from an elevated perspective. See brief descriptions and links to their websites in the list below, from north to south.
Please note that many Vermont resorts require closed-toe and closed-heel shoes to ride the chairlift.
Jay Peak Resort
Jay, Vermont / Northeast Kingdom Region
Daily through mid-October, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased on their website here.
Jay Peak’s aerial tram, which reaches the mountain’s summit, is the only one of its kind in Vermont, setting this experience apart.
Views from the top even showcase a little bit of Canada.
Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe, Vermont / Upper Green Mountains Region
Daily through Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Same-day tickets must be purchased in person; advance tickets can be purchased at their website here.
See Vermont’s famous fall foliage from the state’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, at 4,393 feet. The Stowe Gondola SkyRide carries up to eight people to the summit.
At the top, enjoy lunch at the Cliff House Restaurant, visit the Summit Retail Gift Shop, and enjoy dessert at The Waffle.
Bolton Valley Resort
Bolton, Vermont / Greater Burlington Region
Open Labor Day through Oct. 12, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at their website here. No infants allowed on the lift. Children must be able to walk independently.
At Bolton Valley Resort, ride to the top of Vermont’s Green Mountain ridgeline for stunning panoramic views of foliage in three states.
Take your time at the summit. A lookout tower offers 360-degree foliage viewing as the trees show off in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York.
Mad River Glen
Waitsfield, Vermont / Upper Green Mountains Region
Sept. 26–27, Oct. 3-4, and Oct. 10-11, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the ticket window. Stark’s Pub, the General Store, and Ticket Booth will all be open.
Mad River Glen’s single chair is the oldest continuously operating lift in the U.S., installed in 1948, and the last one of its kind in the continental United States.
While driving to the mountain or when leaving, drive the scenic Appalachian Gap (Route 17) to Bristol. At the top, there’s a parking area offering scenic views and hiking routes.
Sugarbush Resort
Warren, Vermont / Upper Green Mountains Region
Holidays only
Purchase tickets in advance on their website here.
Sugarbush’s lift rides offer a birds-eye view of the Mad River Valley as fall paints leaves red, orange, and yellow.
At the top of the lift, Allyn’s Lodge makes for a great place for a picnic lunch, or take a hike around Lincoln Peak.
Middlebury Snowbowl
Middlebury, Vermont / White River Valley Region
Oct. 2-4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased on-site.
This lift goes all the way to the top of Snowbowl. Take in panoramic views of Vermont’s magnificent fall foliage. At the base, try roller skiing with a demonstration by Rikert Nordic. Friday and Saturday will also feature live music.
Killington Resort
Killington, Vermont / Stone Valley Region
Sept. 11 through Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets must be purchased online here.
The Express Gondola travels 4,241 feet to the summit, affording breathtaking foliage views from Vermont’s second-highest peak.
At the summit, either stay on the lift for a round-trip tour or unload to hike to Killington Peak, explore 15 miles of resort hiking trails, including sections of the famous Appalachian and Long trails, or visit the Peak Lodge. From there, hike back down or grab a return lift.
Bromley Resort
Peru, Vermont / The Shires Region
Sept. 19-20, Sept. 26-27, Oct. 1-4, Oct. 8-12 , 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tickets are included in your Double Play Pass, Mountain Adventure Park Pass, or available individually. See their website here. Riders must be a minimum height of 38” and minimum age of 3 years. Under 48” tall ride for free with a ticketed person aged 18+.
Bromley’s nickname as “Vermont’s Sun Mountain” is well-earned; the lift offers a scenic adventure for leaf-peeping and sightseeing from the mountains’ warm, south-facing slopes.
Bromley’s new four-story observation deck at the summit makes for beautiful scenic foliage views of southern Vermont, including Stratton, Magic Mountain, Equinox Mountain, and more.
Okemo Mountain Resort
Ludlow, Vermont / Okemo Valley Region
Saturdays and Sundays through mid-October, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Sunburst Six chairlift takes groups of up to six to see Vermont’s bright fall foliage from above together, making it Vermont’s biggest foliage lift. Hike down or ride the lift when you’re done at the summit.
Magic Mountain
Londonderry, Vermont / Okemo Valley Region
Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, and Oct. 11, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tickets may be purchased at the base lodge.
Magic Mountain’s Green double lift takes riders above the bright foliage covering the mountain to Sunshine Corner.
After the lift ride, enjoy beverages, picnicking, and cornhole from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Stratton Mountain Resort
Stratton Mountain, Vermont / Deerfield Valley Region
Friday through Sunday Sept. 18–20, 25–27; Oct. 1–4 (daily); Oct. 8–12 (daily, including Indigenous Peoples Day); Oct. 16–18. Season ends Sunday, October 18.
Tickets may be purchased at their website here.
Stratton’s enclosed gondola offers views that span four states, including the White Mountains, Adirondacks, Berkshires, and Green Mountain ranges.
A historic fire tower at the summit takes the views even higher. Down at base, explore shopping and dining at Stratton Village.
Mount Snow Resort
Dover, Vermont / Deerfield Valley Region
Open Friday through Sunday through mid-October, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last chair departs at 4:30 p.m.)
Tickets are available at the Clocktower ticket window (children 4 and under ride free, but children in carriers are not permitted on the chairlift).
The Bluebird Express quad takes groups of up to four to the summit of Mount Snow, where they can take in stunning scenic views of Vermont’s famous fall foliage.
Visit SkiVermont.com to explore more than 20 Vermont ski areas and check out brewfests at ski areas this fall.