Fall Foliage Chairlift Rides
The sky is among the best places from which to see fall foliage in Vermont. Gliding up a mountain on a chairlift in autumn is a peaceful way to take in the season’s beauty and get some one-of-a-kind Vermont leaf-peeping in. Take in a sea of color from above as Vermont’s rolling hillsides blaze with fiery reds, brilliant oranges, and golden yellows. The crisp air carries the scent of fallen leaves, and from above, the patchwork of forests, mountains, and winding rivers stretch through the state.
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
Open Daily through Oct. 13, 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.
BURKE MOUNTAIN RESORT
Burke, Vermont / Northeast Kingdom Region
Open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Stop by Guest Services at the base for your ticket.
Burke Mountain’s location in the heart of the Northeast Kingdom means it’s often among the first places to show fall foliage color. A scenic lift ride will afford views of the season’s first blush stretching for miles.
Burke Mountain’s Scenic Toll Road travels to the summit and offers amazing views and access to hiking trails, paragliding launch sites, and downhill mountain-biking trails. Stop mid-way at the pavilion to enjoy a picnic with the Willoughby Gap as your backdrop. Climb the historic fire tower at the top for stunning 360° views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The toll road is subject to closures due to private events. Guests should call (802) 626-7300 to confirm the toll road is open.
STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT
Stowe, Vermont / Upper Green Mountains Region
Open through Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Last tickets sold at 4:15 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 from noon to dusk, 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
Open October 4, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and October 5, 10:00 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
Open Indigenous People’s Day Weekend, October 11 through October 13
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
Open October 3, October 4, and October 5, 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
Open Sept. 11 through Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased on their website, here. Child and senior tickets are available at the resort window.
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
Open in September on Weekends and Holidays, and in October on Thursday, October 2; Sunday, October 5; Thursday, October 9; and Sunday, October 13.
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
Open Weekends from Labor Day through Oct. 13
Tickets are sold until 3:30 p.m. and may be purchased in advance on their website, here.
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
Open September 27, October 4, October 11, October 12, 11 a.m. to 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
Open Fridays through Sundays through Oct. 19, as well as Thursdays Oct. 2 and 9, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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.