Glacier Sightseeing Tram Proposal
Pursuit proposes a new year-round sightseeing tram near Glacier National Park.
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Key Points
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Pursuit estimates the tram could theoretically carry about 1,000 passengers per hour at peak capacity, though it expects busy-period demand to be closer to 600 passengers per hour.
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The proposed upper station would be roughly 1,000 feet below Columbia Mountain’s summit and, according to the proposal, would use renewable energy.
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Pursuit says it will accept and respond to comments through a project website during the Forest Service’s screening stage—a step the agency says is unusual for an unsolicited special-use proposal, but is being taken because of strong public interest.
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If authorized, the tram would operate under a Forest Service Special Use Permit and remain subject to federal oversight; Pursuit says the project would not require taxpayer funding.
Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality has proposed a year-round sightseeing tram that would carry 200 passengers at a time from Hungry Horse up more than 3,000 feet to a station near Columbia Mountain, close to Glacier National Park. Unofficial Networks reports the two-cabin system would climb the mountain in about six minutes, with the upper station roughly 1,000 feet below the summit. The Flathead National Forest is now screening the application to decide whether to move forward with environmental review and public engagement.
The Forest Service rejected a similar proposal in 2023, saying it conflicted with the forest plan's vision for the roadless area. Bradenton notes that the new proposal has no significant changes to its footprint or design, though it would operate year-round instead of seasonally. Pursuit says the project could create about 230 jobs and extend tourism beyond summer's peak season, but the company acknowledges that community fit, land use, and environmental stewardship require careful review.
How the Tram Would Work
The aerial tram system would use two 100-passenger cabins to transport visitors up and down Columbia Mountain. Kansas City reports that at peak capacity, the tram could theoretically carry about 1,000 passengers per hour, though Pursuit expects busy-period demand closer to 600 passengers per hour. The ride would take roughly six minutes to climb more than 3,000 feet to the upper station, which would use renewable energy according to the proposal.
Forest Service Screening and Public Input
The Flathead National Forest is conducting a screening process to assess public need and Pursuit's ability to operate the project. Island Packet explains that if the proposal advances, full environmental review and additional public engagement would follow—but the tram has not been approved. Pursuit says it will accept and respond to comments through a project website during this screening stage, an unusual step for an unsolicited special-use proposal, but one the Forest Service is taking because of strong public interest.
Permit Requirements and No Taxpayer Cost
If authorized, the tram would operate under a Forest Service Special Use Permit and remain subject to federal oversight. Ledger-Enquirer reports that Pursuit says the project would not require taxpayer funding, meaning construction and operations would be fully financed by the company. The proposal must navigate federal approval and environmental review processes before any ground is broken.
Why the First Proposal Was Rejected
The Forest Service rejected Pursuit's earlier tram plan in 2023 for two main reasons. Officials said the project conflicted with the forest plan's vision for keeping the roadless area undeveloped, and they found that similar sightseeing experiences were already available nearby. The current proposal appears to address neither concern, as Bradenton notes there are no significant changes to the footprint or design from the earlier rejected version.
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