Snow King Mountain in Jackson, Wyoming, holds a special place in the history of American skiing. Nestled in the heart of the town, it was one of the pioneering ski resorts in Wyoming, and its story is inextricably linked to the evolution of chairlift technology during the 1950s to 1970s. This period was marked by a mixture of excitement and danger, as the first chairlifts were introduced with minimal safety features and many challenges. In this article, we celebrate the history of Snow King during this defining era, paying tribute to the chairlifts that carried early adventurers up the slopes—often without the protections we would expect today.

The Early Days of Snow King Chairlifts: A Risky Ride

In the 1950s and 1960s, the chairlifts of Snow King looked much different than the modern lifts we are familiar with today. Photographs from this era show ski enthusiasts braving the mountain in a rather unsafe way—without any safety bars or other protective features. Though they carried passengers to the top, these early chairlifts were known for their perilous design, making the ride feel more like an adventure than a safe means of transportation.

Yet, what truly made these lifts stand out was the forced perspective captured in many of these vintage photos. From certain angles, the lifts appear much higher than they actually were, creating an illusion of danger that only added to the thrill of the experience. For skiers, these chairlifts were the only way up, and despite the safety concerns, they quickly became a symbol of the early days of the ski industry.

Video

Watch the video to see the Snow King Mountain chair lift in Jackson, Wyoming, from a summer 1948 home movie!

The Snow King Mountain Resort: A Historic Landmark

Located in downtown Jackson, Snow King Mountain was not only one of Wyoming’s first ski resorts but also a trailblazer in the region’s tourism and recreational development. Originally opened in 1936, the ski hill was situated on the southeast edge of the city and quickly became a focal point for locals and visitors alike.

Snow King’s chairlifts began with humble beginnings. In 1946, the first chairlift was installed—an old ore tram from Colorado, repurposed for use on the mountain. This lift had four stations, with the base of the lift starting near where the 1 Town Hill apartments now sit. The lift offered basic services, but it was a beginning that would spark a new chapter in the development of skiing infrastructure in Wyoming.

Evolution of Snow King Chairlifts: Safety and Innovation

The early chairlifts at Snow King may have been basic, but they marked the start of significant advancements. The first lift was updated in 1951 to include stronger cables and two-person chairs, replacing the older single-person lifts. This was a major improvement in both safety and comfort. The installation of improved upper and lower terminals marked a turning point in the evolution of chairlifts, setting the stage for future innovations at Snow King.

By 1978, Snow King Mountain had added a new lift—The Rafferty Double. Located on the east slopes of the resort near the Snow King Hotel, this lift was more modern and offered enhanced features, such as the addition of a mini golf course and an alpine slide at the base. However, after 35 years of service, the Rafferty Double was removed in the summer of 2014 to make way for more modern facilities, marking the end of an era.

The 1981 Replacement and the New Era of Chairlifts

In 1981, Snow King made a significant upgrade to its lift system. The iconic “Snow King Chairlift” was replaced with a new Doppelmayr/Garaventa CTEC Double chairlift. This new lift was located approximately 200 feet east of the old lift, crossing the original lift line about three-quarters of the way up the mountain. With this upgrade, Snow King was able to accommodate more skiers and offer a safer, more comfortable ride up the slopes.

The 1981 upgrade was a crucial moment in the resort’s history, as it reflected both the growth of the mountain’s infrastructure and the increasing demand for safer and more reliable lift systems. This new lift was just the beginning of Snow King’s continued modernization, but the early chairlifts—particularly those from the 1950s and 1960s—remain a nostalgic and important part of the resort’s history.

Preserving the Past: Snow King’s Chairlift Heritage

While many of the early chairlifts have been replaced, a few historical remnants of Snow King’s past still survive in other parts of the country. For instance, one of the original chairlifts, which was first installed on Proctor Mountain near Sun Valley, still remains in operation at Ruud Mountain in Norway. This chairlift has been preserved, complete with its original single-person chairs and ski jump. It’s a testament to the early innovations in ski lift technology, developed by James Curran of Union Pacific’s engineering department in Omaha during the summer of 1936.

Curran’s design was revolutionary for its time, improving on the basic up-ski toboggan and J-bar systems that had previously been the norm. His work created a chairlift that not only offered greater capacity but also provided better comfort for skiers. Today, his basic design still serves as the foundation for many chairlifts around the world.

Reflecting on Snow King’s Legacy

The period from 1950 to 1970 was a pivotal time for Snow King Mountain and the skiing community. Though the early chairlifts were far from the luxurious, safety-conscious systems we know today, they played an integral role in the development of modern ski resorts. The history of Snow King’s chairlifts is a story of innovation, adaptation, and resilience.

As we look back on these early lifts and the people who rode them, it’s impossible not to appreciate the risks that skiers took to experience the thrill of the slopes. These chairlifts were not just a means of transportation—they were an adventure in themselves, embodying the spirit of an era when skiing was as much about the journey as the destination.

Snow King continues to thrive today, and its rich history serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come in both safety and technology. Yet, the stories of those early chairlifts and the people who relied on them will always hold a special place in the history of skiing in America.

Video

Check out the video to see skiers go flying in the ski lift ride from hell!