Grouse Mountain’s Iconic Red Skyride Gets an Upgrade with New Tram Cabins

The new cabins were manufactured by CWA, a Swiss cabin manufacturer and affiliate of the Doppelmayr Group. CWA was the same company behind the original Red Skyride cabins when it opened in 1976. The upgraded cabins will accommodate up to 95 guests and feature larger panoramic windows, creating a more immersive sightseeing experience with wider views of Vancouver, the ocean and surrounding mountains. They will also offer enhanced accessibility features, including fold-out bench seating designed to provide additional comfort and support for guests with limited mobility

“The Red Skyride has been an iconic part of the Grouse Mountain experience for 50 years, and as we celebrate our centennial, we’re excited to introduce a new generation of tram cabins to carry guests into our next 100 years,” says Nick Dean, President of Grouse Mountain Resort. “We’re always looking for ways to enhance the guest experience, and these new cabins introduce thoughtful improvements while preserving the character and incredible views visitors know and love.”

The Red Skyride opened in 1976 and has since carried generations of locals and visitors between the base and mountaintop. While the aerial tramway has undergone regular maintenance and upgrades throughout its history, this project marks the first full replacement of its original cabins.

For Paul Harkins, Director of Maintenance & Facilities at Grouse Mountain Resort, the project also represents a fitting final chapter in a career that has included overseeing some of the Resort’s most significant lift infrastructure projects, including the opening of the Blue Grouse Gondola in 2024.

“The Red Skyride changed the way people accessed the mountain when it opened in 1976,” says Harkins. “It has since become an icon of both the Resort and Vancouver, and it’s an honour to work on its next chapter as one of my final projects at Grouse Mountain.”

The original Red Skyride cabins won’t disappear from the Mountain entirely. Grouse Mountain intends to repurpose the historic cabins on the mountaintop, with more details about their future to be shared at a later date

With winter just around the corner, Grouse Mountain’s 2026/27 Early Bird Pass Sale is underway, with current pricing available through October 13 on Unlimited and Weekday Passes.

The Red Skyride temporarily closed on September 28 to allow for the cabin replacement. During this time, the Blue Grouse Gondola remains open, providing access between the base and mountaintop. An official reopening date for the Red Skyride will be announced soon. Learn more and plan your visit at grousemountain.com.