From the emerald greens of early summer through the brilliance of fall, a number of Utah's ski resorts offer scenic chairlift rides for bikers, hikers and sightseers. There's no better way to retreat from the summer heat than to head for the hills. If mountain biking is your thing, don't miss our lift-served mountain biking guide. 
For hiking and soaking up mountain vistas, a scenic chairlift ride is a great way to experience Utah's ski areas in the summer months. It can also be quite amusing to witness the terrain you blissfully ski over all winter; it always looks more intimidating without snow! Breezing up the mountain is a lovely way to cool down and connect with nature. Watch for wildlife and enjoy the continually shifting views. Keep scrolling for a list of Utah resorts that offer scenic chairlift rides alongside information about their summer activities and operating hours.
Brian Head Scenic Lift Rides
Located above 9,600 feet in elevation, Brian Head Ski Resort boasts the highest base elevation of any ski area in Utah. The temperatures at this height are refreshing and the nights are cool. We at Ski Utah highly recommend a spin on Brian Head’s Giant Steps lift for the expansive views of sprawling red rock, desert plateaus and the distant Tushar Mountain Range. You won’t find views like this at any other ski area! The Giant Steps High-Speed quad chairlift whisks guests up to the basin beneath Brian Head Peak and guests have the option to hike or bike from the top.
Brian Head Resort Summer Activities
Additional summer activities at Brian Head include lots of cross-country biking and the downhill mountain bike park, an 18-hole disc golf course, mini zip line, archery, climbing wall, bungee trampolines and adventure tubing. All-day or individual Activity Passes are available for purchase. Access to the downhill mountain bike park is sold separately. Just down the road from Brian Head, you’ll also find the enigmatic and captivating landscape of Cedar Breaks National Monument and Brian Head serves as the perfect base camp to explore a number of Utah's incredible National Parks.
Brian Head Summer Operations
Operations at Brian Head run weekends Friday–Sunday in early June and NEW for summer 2025, Brian Head will operate daily from June 27 to August 10. After August 10, Brian Head scenic chairlift rides will be offered on weekends through Sept 29. Operating hours are 9:30AM through 5PM. Brian Head operates on demand-based pricing so purchasing tickets well in advance secures the best price.
Brighton Scenic Lift Rides
Hiking trails, stunning vistas and plenty of fun summer events can be enjoyed at Brighton alongside their scenic chairlift rides. Board the 4-person Majestic chair for wildflower viewing, hiking or disc golf.
Brighton Summer Activities
Since the silver mining days, Brighton has served as a summer retreat for those looking to escape the bustling ways of city life. The forested groves provide delight for hikers, mountain bikers and those up for the challenge of Brighton's two disc golf courses. Plenty of summer fun can be had at Brighton, from summer camps for kids to the weekly Sunday BCC Flea Market.
Brighton Summer Operations
Scenic lift rides at Brighton will begin June 27 and close sometime in mid-September in preparation for the winter season ahead.
Deer Valley Scenic Lift Rides
The snow melts from Deer Valley's slopes to reveal emerald green hills and buffed trails as the quaking aspens burst forth in verdant stands. The resort hums back to life in June to provide a plethora of activities and relaxation in a serene atmosphere for the summer. 
Scenic lift rides can be enjoyed on Silver Lake Express and the Sterling chairlift with hiking trails available from both lifts. A scenic mid-mountain ticket provides access from the Snow Park Lodge up to the Silver Lake Village via the Silver Lake Express. A Summit Scenic Access lift ticket provides unlimited access to both Silver Lake Express and Sterling Express, which whisks riders to the summit of Bald Mountain from the mid-mountain village.
With many hiking trail options, your scenic lift pass can be used to hike around the resort to appreciate the landscape. The two-mile Silver Lake Trail (accessible from the Sterling Express chairlift) circumnavigates the top reaches of Bald Mountain, offering stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Children 4 and under qualify for a free lift ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket.
Deer Valley Summer Activities
In the summer months, Deer Valley also offers dining, paddleboarding, adventure camps for kids, a well-renowned mountain bike park, twilight concerts, horseback riding and more. Scores of fun events dot the summer event calendar that include concerts, culinary tastings, beer festivals and the like.
Operations
Deer Valley will spin lifts daily from June 20 through September 1, 2025 with weekend operations on Fri-Sun until September 21st. Lifts are operating from 10AM to 5PM, weather conditions permitting.
Park City Mountain Scenic Lift Rides
Park City Mountain offers a number of scenic chairlift rides to reach a multitude of hiking trails and beautiful vistas overlooking the historic mining town. From the main Park City Mountain Village, the PayDay Express and Crescent Express whisk guests upward in no time. The Town Lift departs from the heart of Main Street and the Red Pine Gondola can be accessed from the Canyons Village. Bike haul is available on the Red Pine Gondola and the Crescent Lift. Children 4 and under are eligible for a complimentary scenic lift ticket.
Park City Mountain Summer Activities
The options for diversion at Park City Mountain are practically endless. Take your pick! Stroll the weekly Farmers Market on Wednesdays, groove to concerts at the Canyons Village or get thrills on the Mountain Coaster, Alpine Slide, zip line or climbing wall. There’s an adventure park for kids, panning for gems, mini-golf and an 18-hole golf course at the Canyons Village. With its close proximity to the town of Park City, guests can take advantage of excellent dining opportunities, bars, shopping and nightlife.
Park City Mountain Operations
Passes to ride lifts are offered daily in the summer months or frequent users can purchase a summer season pass. Bike haul passes are also an option for those who want to cycle Park City’s extensive trail network. Note that bike haul is not offered from the PayDay or Town lifts.
The PayDay lift will open June 7 and the Red Pine Gondola, Crescent and Town lifts will open June 14. Summer activities will also kick off on June 7 and operations will run through early September with reduced hours from mid-September into early October. Ticket sales for scenic rides will halt 15 minutes before closing. Check Park City’s website for operating hours for each lift, as closing times may differ between lifts - click here.
Snowbasin Resort Scenic Lift Rides
From its high alpine bowls to the gentle slopes of its base area, Snowbasin Resort provides over 26 miles of trails and a connection to additional trails located on the adjacent Forest Service lands. Snowbasin bumps bikers and hikers to its highest heights via the Needles Gondola on summer weekends. Whisk away to 8,600 feet to explore mountaintop trails and scenic vistas of Ogden and Ogden Valley.
Snowbasin Resort Summer Activities
The summer events calendar at Snowbasin is a fun one with their popular Blues and Brews festivals every Saturday and Sunday. Additional activities besides hiking and mountain biking include mini golf, trail races and mountaintop dining.
Snowbasin Resort Summer Operations
Lift-served hiking and biking on the Needles Gondola will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays from June 21 to October 12 from 9AM to 4PM. Consider a lift on the Needles Gondola to the Needles Lodge for a memorable Sunday Brunch from 10AM to 2:30PM.
Snowbird Resort Scenic Lift & Tram Rides
Snowbird's scenic chairlift and Tram rides offer access to the glorious wildflowers in Mineral Basin. Hikers and vista seekers can now enjoy the new and improved tram riding summer experience with its one-of-a-kind rooftop balcony. If the tram isn't your thing, you can board Peruvian Express and gain 2,400 vertical feet before hiking a final 600 vertical feet up to the summit of Hidden Peak. Peruvian chair riders also opt to walk underground through the singular Peruvian Tunnel with its fascinating historical dioramas to access Mineral Basin. The wildflowers over in sunny, south-facing Mineral Basin put on quite a show every summer!
Note that mountain bike haul on the Aerial Tram will not be available for Summer 2025.
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Snowbird Resort Summer Activities
Snowbird contains an alpine slide, a mountain coaster, a ZipWhipper climbing wall, a ropes course, a bungee jump, tubing, gem panning, climbing walls, fishing and more. Guided hikes are also available for those who wish to learn more about the surrounding nature. All-day activity passes provide the best access to all of Snowbird’s summer fun or individual tickets can be purchased. Snowbird also hosts Utah's longest-running Oktoberfest on weekends from August 9 through October 12, 2025.
Snowbird Resort Summer Operations
Summer operations at Snowbird will commence June 16.
Solitude Mountain Scenic Lift Rides
Miles of high alpine trails at Solitude Mountain Resort beckon hikers and bikers amid a plethora of fun summer activities. Solitude has lately invested a great deal of effort into building out the Solitude Mountain Bike park, which lends a fun and bustling atmosphere to the resort's summer operations. Great views of Big Cottonwood can be secured on Moonbeam Express, Link and Sunrise lifts, though Sunrise will offer the best views for scenic chairlift rides and access to Solitude's free disc golf course. Riders under 4 qualify for a complimentary lift ticket with the purchase of a parent's ticket.
Mark your calendars for Twilight Thursday with Solitude's chairlifts and activities running until 8PM. Afterward, catch a free movie on the Moonbeam Lawn at the weekly Coca-Cola Sunset Cinema series.
Solitude Mountain Summer Activities
In addition to hiking and mountain biking, Solitude has one of the most challenging 18-hole disc golf courses around! Solitude added a smaller 9-hole disc golf course for those just getting into the game. Solitude offers breakfast, dining and events like the Thursday night movie series, Saturday morning yoga and live music on Sundays. Check their busy event calendar for dates and info.
Solitude Mountain Summer Operations
The trails at Solitude are open daily and summer operations will commence on June 12, 2025.
Sundance Resort Scenic Lift Rides
Thanks to its remote location in the North Fork of Provo Canyon, Sundance Mountain Resort feels like its own little world, far removed from it all. The cooler temps and the shadow of Mount Timpanogos keep the magic alive year-round at Sundance. Book a stay in one of their luxurious lodging options for a memorable getaway. Scenic lift rides are up for grabs on Outlaw Express, Stairway and Red’s Lift with access to the Bearclaw Cabin for hearty food and up-close views of Mount Timpanogos. Hiking and biking trails are conveniently located right off the lifts.
Sundance Resort Summer Activities
Thanks to its heritage, Sundance may indeed have the most diverse array of activities around. Fine dining, classes in the art studio, spa treatments, fly fishing, horseback riding, live music, summer theater and mountain biking—to name a few. Daring mountain folk won’t want to miss the Sundance ZipTour; 2,100 feet of vertical drop and sections where it’s possible to achieve a cruising speed of 65 mph!
Sundance Resort Summer Operations
Summer at Sundance kicks off on May 23 and runs them through October 5th with a few special weekends of spooky Halloween fun. Outlaw Express runs daily from 10AM to 5PM while Red's Lift and Stairway operate from 10AM to 4PM.
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