Posted By:

Maggie aka "The Turninator"

Since 1939, Sugar Bowl has always done things a little differently. Adventure-seekers arrived not by car, but by sled, drawn by the promise of great skiing and the charm of a snowbound alpine Village. At the center of it all, one invention changed everything: the gondola.

For more than seven decades, it’s been our lifeline, our link, and our symbol of connection— to the mountain, the Village, and to one another. Let’s take a ride through its history, from the early days of diesel fumes and sleds to the sleek new chapter that lies ahead.

The Early Days: Sleds, Snow, and Determination (1939–1952)

Before there was a gondola, there was grit. In Sugar Bowl’s inaugural 1939 season, skiers and their gear were hauled into the resort on tractor-pulled sleds. The ride was long, about 40 minutes, and decidedly bumpy. Diesel exhaust, rutted snow, and the occasional tumble off the sled were all part of the adventure.

Still, the payoff was worth it. Once guests arrived at the snowbound lodge, the world felt far away. But even then, the dream of a better way in and out of the Village was taking shape.

The Magic Carpet (1953)

Enter Jerome Hill: filmmaker, philanthropist, and one of Sugar Bowl’s most visionary founders. Over lunch one day, Hill posed a simple question: “What if we built a gondola?”

That idea became reality in the summer of 1953. Hill personally financed and oversaw the construction of the Magic Carpet Gondola, the first of its kind on the West Coast and only the second in North America. Designed by Bob Heron of Heron Engineering, it whisked guests from Highway 40 to the Village in just seven minutes, a revolutionary leap from the forty-minute sled haul.

Despite post–Korean War material shortages, the team made it happen. They scavenged old mining steel, recycled wire ropes, and hand-riveted the towers. When it opened that Christmas, the Magic Carpet became an instant sensation, propelling Sugar Bowl into the national spotlight.

Evolution of an Icon (1958–1983)

As skiing grew in popularity, so did the need for greater capacity. In 1958, a fleet of new four-person cabins replaced the original 12 aluminum cars, boosting the gondola’s capacity from 280 to 500 riders per hour.

By 1983, the Magic Carpet was completely rebuilt by CTEC, with 50 additional cabins and modernized terminals. The updated system could carry up to 1,000 riders per hour, keeping pace with the growing number of visitors seeking the magic of Sugar Bowl’s snowbound Village.

The Soul of the Village

Over time, the gondola became more than just transportation, it became a symbol. A passage between worlds: from the chaos of the road to snowbound serenity, from everyday life to mountain magic. Generations have shared the experience of being whisked across Van Norden Meadow, gliding above the treetops toward the peaks that have defined Sugar Bowl for more than seven decades.

Looking Ahead: The Next Generation (2026 and Beyond)

Now, the gondola is preparing for its fourth evolution. Starting spring 2026, construction begins on a brand-new system that honors the past while embracing the future. This upgrade isn’t about changing who we are — it’s about ensuring the gondola continues to serve the Village with the same spirit of connection and innovation it always has. The new design will feature 8-person cabins, double the capacity, and smoother, more consistent operations that’s inclusive for all. Every design choice, from materials to silhouette, will echo the timeless alpine character of the Village.

Cabins from each of the three generations will be displayed in the new terminal, a tribute to the enduring legacy that has carried us all these years.

Preparation work begins this winter, and the current Village Gondola will continue to operate through Easter Sunday before terminal upgrades begin.

In the meantime, we invite you to take a few extra rides, snap a photo, and savor the nostalgia. The gondola has always been more than a lift— it’s the thread that ties Sugar Bowl’s story together—  past, present, and future.

Bonus: A Historic Gondola Cabin Comes Home

In the summer of 2024, one of the original 1953 gondola cabins found its way back to Sugar Bowl — thanks to the Sugar Bowl Historical Society and a few determined homeowners who rescued the cabin from deep in the woods behind Rainbow Lodge. Their teamwork helped recover this piece of history, completing our collection with one gondola car from every era of the Village Gondola.

Watch the full story on YouTube: “A Historic Gondola Cabin Comes Home.”

And the best part? No one’s quite sure how that car ended up there in the first place…