The Full Story About
Ropeways
I absolutely love travel and all of the experiences I have been afforded. BUT, I do find great pleasure in mixing my interests when I travel. One of the many ways I accomplish that feat is by riding on any chair lift, gondola, tramway, or funicular I can find when traveling. I have included some of my favorites from around the world.
Origin Story
It all started at the resort to the left. I learned to ski at the young age of two years old at Copper Mountain, Colorado, USA. My dad was (is) a ski instructor in his spare time and he stuffed my boots with newspaper to get my tiny feet to fit. I wasn't a natural skier, but longed to be one of the guys (my dad and big brother) who went skiing every weekend.
*real skiers will also note the resort in the top left of the photo is Breckenridge, Colorado, USA.
This blog may or may not include my disdain for Breckenridge from time to time.
Why lifts & ropeways?
Glad you asked!
So, my dad and I have skied roughly 10 - 20 days a year from when I was 4 to 10. In those times, we rode many lifts, but it wasn't until we got stuck on a few lifts that my interest was peaked.
One time we were on the Prospector Express at Winter Park. We got stuck for what felt like 30 minutes (probably only 15), but my dad made it the longest 15 minutes of my life. A lifelong jokester and classic black dad, he couldn't pass up the opportunity. He joked "we might have to jump from here, buddy" and "I think they forgot about us, only a few minutes until hypothermia sets in"
Shocked, and scared, I vowed to learn everything I could about ski lifts to assuage my newfound fears. I learned the reliability numbers, the probability of a catastrophic failure, how they are evacuated, and how each lift was made. I even joined some online forums for lift mechanics that I had no business being on at 9 years old. I made it my goal to get over the fear because weekly trips to the mountain would never end.
Now, I am just a regular nerd who can tell you the different manufacturers, types of grips, carriers, and all the details. Please enjoy some great shots from around the world!
Table Mountain Aerial Tramway
Cape Town, South Africa
Table Mountain is the first thing you see as soon as the sun wakes you up in Cape Town. Stuck by its beauty, I had to hike it. Hike up the mountain with some friends and bring plenty of water and snacks. One of our friends actually had to return to the base due to overheating. Enjoy the moderate climb before descending down the tramway. The quick ride gives the best views after you did all the work scaling the mountain. The cabin spins giving everyone an equal view of all Cape Town has to offer.
One of the Many Mountains of Chamonix
France
La Flégère is a stunning 10-passenger gondola that acts as a gateway to the upper mountain piste and off-piste skiing Chamonix and Europe are known for. The rise out of the valley gave me this stunning shot on the right.
The foggy valley gave way to a blue bird day at the top and ideal snow conditions. Even better, this lift ticket only cost about 58 euros in early December. Same ticket in the states would have been $200+.
Let's Get Urban!
Cablébus Public Transit
CDMX
Mexico City will forever have a soft spot in my heart due to the food, culture, and ease with which one can live there. I live in a big city now, but it feels like a rat race where CDMX feels like elevated calm.
One of my favorite parts of the elevated calm was the aerial tramways around Mexico City that were built for regular commuters that were not already connected to the metro system. I took the metro home from the gondola and the transfer was quick and easy.
For a 20 MXN card ($1.20) and 7 MXN ($0.42) per ride, hopping on is easy. You'll soon be whisked high above the many neighborhoods of Mexico City. I was seated with a family going home, a student getting out of school, and a couple who wished none of us were there (making out).
After a few rides around town, I got my fill, but I hope urban ropeways become more common. Linea 1 & 2 in CMDX are used by over 100,000 people each day! Other cities, hint "NYC" hint, could use some more creative thinking to solve space efficient transit issues.