The Snowbird Tram in Summer – Utah Mountain Hiking at 11000 Feet

One of my favorite summer activities in Northern Utah is taking the Snowbird tram to the top of Hidden Peak. Once on top, I take in the amazing views across the Wasatch Mountains, plus hike around a bit. Any time I can hike at 11000 feet without actually physically climbing to 11000 feet is a win in my book.  Recently, Snowbird updated its iconic 50 year old aerial tram system with new and improved tram cabins.  My daughter and I decided to go check them out.  

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Visiting Snowbird 

Snowbird is one of Utah’s most renowned ski resorts. It sits near the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon, accessed from the southeast Salt Lake Valley.  Snowbird is more than just a winter resort.  It also offers a variety of summer actives – including an alpine slide, a mountain coaster, a ropes course, a bunch of hiking and mountain biking trails, several restaurants, and a 10-weekend Octoberfest from mid-August to mid-October. 

The Aerial Tram

When the Snowbird Tram was first constructed in 1971, it was one of the longest and most powerful tramways in the world. The tram cabins were (and still are) the world’s largest, with a capacity of 125 people. 

After 51 years, it was time for a cabin redesign in 2022.  The newly updated Snowbird tram cabins feature floor-to-ceiling windows and three glass floor panels.  They also feature an open-air roof top balcony (a ride on top of the Snowbird tram costs extra.)

For the 2025 season, the cost for a summertime round trip on the Snowbird tram is $41 dollars on weekdays and $47 on weekends.  However, you can often get a discount if you book your tickets a few days in advance online at the Snowbird ticketing site.

Going Up 

Our Snowbird tram experience began on a Monday morning with the first tram of the day – at 11:00 am.  Weekends can be very busy at Snowbird.  Especially during Octoberfest which began just a few days before our visit.  A weekday will always be your best bet if you want to avoid the crowds.  We shared our ride up with only 12 other riders.

Regular readers know that I am height phobic.  I was a little concerned that the floor-to-ceiling windows and floor panels would compound the anxiety I typically feel on these sorts of dangling-from-a-cable-in-the-sky adventures.  

But…I wasn’t bothered at all, I loved the expansive views out all sides of the tram. 

And the floor windows were too small to really cause any heart palpitations.  

The ride itself is quick.  It covers 1.6 miles in about 10 minutes.  The elevation gained throughout the ride to the top – at a summit called Hidden Peak – is 2900 ft.  The elevation at Hidden Peak is just shy of 11000 feet. 

At the top, there is a large building housing a cafeteria-style restaurant and restrooms. And then hiking and biking trails heading off in many directions.  

Mountain Views and Wildflowers

After disembarking from the tram, we followed my traditional route.  We headed south along a dirt road called Sunday Saddle Road (upper horizontal purple road on the map) across the top of Mineral Basin, before branching off and doubling back on the Wildflower Trail.   

This route first offers spectacular views to the west and down into Little Cottonwood Canyon all the way to the Salt Lake Valley. 

Then looking east …views out across Mineral Basin and out to many of the tallest peaks in this section of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. 

In July and August, many of the mountainsides at this elevation are covered in wildflowers.  

The Wildflower Trail snakes through the wildflower-covered mountainside at the top of Mineral Basin, and is the perfect way to surround yourself in their beauty.  

Towards the end of the Wildflower Trail, there are several places to walk off the path and take in the surrounding grandeur.  

Return Decisions

The Wildfire Trail ends several hundred feet below Hidden Peak and the Snowbird Tram Station.  A steep road from here will take you back to the top. 

Or… your tram ticket gives you the option of taking the Peruvian Express chairlift back down instead of the tram.  

I always opt for the Peruvian Express for a slower, more leisurely, open-air descent down the mountain.  Plus you get to walk through North America’s only ski tunnel along the way, easily accessed from the end of the Wildfire Trail.

Walking Through The Mountain

The Peruvian Tunnel cuts 600 feet through the mountain, connecting the Little Cottonwood Canyon side of Snowbird with Mineral Basin.  

It also doubles as a museum.  Photographs and artifacts line both sides of the tunnel, documenting the canyon’s mining history.  

A moving walkway transports skiers more efficiently through the tunnel in the winter, but I’ve never known it it be running in the summer.  I prefer to use my legs anyway. 

Upon exiting the Little Cottonwood Canyon side of the tunnel, the Peruvian Express is just a few steps away. 

Going Down

The Peruvian Express, despite its name, takes a more leisurely pace down the mountain compared with the Snowbird tram.  The views throughout this part of Little Cottonwood Canyon are amazing, and wildlife can usually be spotted roaming the mountainside below.  I’ve seen moose several times in the past while riding the lift down.  This trip though…only a single deer. 

There is a significant distance to the ground from the chairs, but I generally try not to let that bother me.

A Few Final Tips

All in all, we spent about 1.5 hours on our summer Snowbird adventure – from tram up to lift down. 

Snowbird lists the Wildflower hike at 1 mile.  My iPhone health app logged our entire hike from the mountaintop tram terminal, through the tunnel, to the Peruvian Express terminal at about 1.5 miles.  It’s not a strenuous hike – though the higher elevation could offer some challenge for those not accustomed to it.

Also, don’t forget that there is a significant temperature drop from the Snowbird Center to the mountain top. I found myself wishing I had a light jacket – even in the middle of August.

You could easily spend a whole day up on top, exploring the various trails. Or, many visitors take the Snowbird tram up, and either hike or bike all the way back down to the Snowbird Center – a distance of 3.5 miles. 

After another summer visit to Snowbird, it remains one of my favorite Little Cottonwood Canyon experiences.  I highly recommend it. You can visit Snowbird’s website for up-to-date information on the tram schedule.

Other Suggested Reading

If you would like to read about another great cable car experience I’ve had, then check out my post on Riding the Kotor Cable Car for a Must-See View in Montenegro.

If you would like to read about some more great hiking opportunities in Northern Utah, then be sure to check out these posts:

Two Popular Alta Utah Hikes – Albion Meadows and Cecret Lake

Hiking at Brighton Utah – Silver Lake, Twin Lakes, & Lake Solitude

The Beautiful Stewart Falls Hike at Sundance Utah

Scout Falls – A Great Utah Hike With An Amazing Payoff

Hiking To The Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge

And if you would like to read about my adventures exploring one of Utah’s largest landmarks, then check out my post The Three Best Ways to Visit the Great Salt Lake