When to Go: During the summer, most Colorado ski lifts and gondolas run on weekends Memorial Day through Labor Day. Dates and hours become more limited in autumn, but you may be able to catch changing colors during the gondolas’ closing weekends. Check with ski areas and resorts for exact dates and operating hours.
Silver Queen Gondola, Aspen Mountain
While Aspen truly lives up to its winter reputation, the world-renowned ski town’s summer grandeur should not be overlooked. The Silver Queen Gondola whisks visitors to the top of emerald-clad Aspen Mountain for incredible views of the historic hamlet and neighboring 14,000-foot summits.
At the Top: There’s plenty to do, including hiking trails, disc golf, lawn games like giant chess and checkers and corn hole, and live music on the weekends. Dine amid the divine backdrop at the Sundeck restaurant, where you can catch some rays and fill your belly at the gourmet cafeteria. Find more mountain-top dining.
Mountain Village Gondola, Telluride
One ride and you’ll see why locals call this the best commute in the country. The first and only free public transportation of its kind in the U.S. takes you from the historic town of Telluride skyward to Station St. Sophia at 10,540 feet in Mountain Village, where the ski resort is tucked behind a ridge. It’s a jaw-dropping 13-minute ride from station to station, with wraparound displays of the town’s box canyon blanketed with flowers in the summer and hillsides shimmering with golden aspens in autumn. Keep your eyes peeled for elk, deer and marmots, too.
At the Top: Some of Colorado’s finest dining is enhanced by epic landscapes at Allred’s, located steps from Station St. Sophia. Continue on to Mountain Village Core, where you can drink and dine at local favorites like Tomboy Tavern, Black Iron Kitchen & Bar and Crazy Elk Pizza.
American Flyer Lift, Copper Mountain
As the name suggests, Summit County (also home to Frisco, Breckenridge, Dillon, Silverthorne and Keystone) boasts some of the biggest and best panoramas in the state — whether you go in the busy, warm-weather season or in the fall, when the mountains explode in fiery hues of yellow, gold, orange and crimson. With a 1,904-foot elevation gain in 10 minutes, you’ll feel like you’re soaring past Technicolor mountain backdrops on the American Flyer.
At the Top: If you’re up for a more adrenaline-pumping ride back, hop on the Rocky Mountain Coaster — a 5,800-foot-long thrill ride down the mountain.