The Magic Mile Sky Ride is a popular tourist attraction located in Mammoth Lakes, California. It is a scenic gondola ride that takes visitors up to the summit of Mammoth Mountain, providing stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The Sky Ride begins at the Main Lodge and ascends to an elevation of 11,053 feet in just 15 minutes. As the gondola glides up the mountain, passengers are treated to panoramic vistas of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, including peaks like Banner Peak and Ritter Peak. At the summit, visitors have the opportunity to explore the area on foot, taking in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the breathtaking views. There are designated hiking trails that lead to even higher points on the mountain, allowing for a more immersive experience in nature.

Chairlift Rides

Over 20 attractions to choose from: bungee jump, alpine slide, batting cages, rock wall climbing, mini golf, go karts & raceway, bike trails & rentals and more.

Magic Mile Sky Ride is located at Timberline Ski Resort, off Highway 26 on Timberline Lodge Road.
Open all year for a low per-ride rate.
Other ski resorts on the mountain operate chairlifts in the summer months, and plans for an aerial gondola are in the works.

Overview

Mt. Hood has six unique ski resorts to choose from, most of which have chairlifts to transport visitors up the mountain’s magnificent slopes. Several of the lifts operate in the summer months for those who want to experience the views or gain access to hiking or mountain biking trails. The granddaddy of them all is the Magic Mile Sky Ride at Timberline, which takes riders to the 7,000-foot point of 11,249-foot Mt. Hood, where not only Hood’s summit but Palmer Glacier and nearby Mt. Jefferson are visible.

As of 2010, discussions are ongoing about the possibility of building an aerial gondola to connect three Mt. Hood areas—Timberline, Ski Bowl, and the new Collins Lake Resort. This aerial tram would allow visitors to park in a central spot and easily access multiple ski resorts.

Location/Directions

The Magic Mile Sky Ride is located at Timberline Resort, which sits off US26-E (Mount Hood Scenic Highway) on Timberline Lodge Road, on the south face of Mount Hood at 6,000 feet.

Hours/Seasons

The Magic Mile Sky Ride is open daily throughout the summer, normally from 10am to 4pm.

Fees/Cost

The Magic Mile Sky Ride costs $18 per person. Children (6 & under) are free.

More Info

Other chairlifts at the remaining Mt. Hood ski resorts are open for summer mountain rides in addition to their winter ski operations; call the specific resort for information.

Stay at a Cabin

There are designated hiking trails that lead to even higher points on the mountain, allowing for a more immersive experience in nature. In addition to the natural beauty of the area, the Magic Mile Sky Ride also offers access to various recreational activities. During the winter months, visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding on the slopes of Mammoth Mountain.

Summer Activities

Guided Tours
Columbia River Cruises
Windsurfing & Kiteboarding
Summer Skiing
Fishing
Kids Activities
Camping & RV
Whitewater Rafting
Hiking
Kayak, Canoe & SUP
Horseback Riding
Biking
Boating
Scenic Float Trips
Hunting
Outdoor Rentals
Chairlift Rides
Motorcycle Rental & Tours
Alpine Slide
Rock Climbing
Golf Courses
Horse Pack Trips
Bird Watching

BLOG

When it is hot in the Hood River Valley there is nothing like a ride on the Magic Mile chair lift on Mt Hood, Oregon’s tallest peak at 11, 240 feet. The majestic mountain can be seen from the Old Parkdale Inn and is an easy day trip, a lovely 35 mile drive.

Take the lift to the mountain’s 7000′ level. No skis or snowboards needed but if you do need a ski fix there are but a few places in the world where one can summer ski and on the Palmer Glacier on Mt Hood is one of them. The spectacular view of Mt. Hood, Palmer snowfield, and nearby Mt. Jefferson is one you’ll soon not forget. Allow 30 minutes to ride up and ride down, or 2 hours if you choose to ride up and walk down. The temperature can be cool on Mt. Hood, even in the summer. Please dress appropriately for current weather conditions.

We’re taking reservations with our promise of a safe and great escape. Thank you for trusting us to be your home away from home. We’ve posted our Hospitality and Health Update on our website. Purchase a gift certificate for yourself or a loved one.

We invite you to read online reviews for the Old Parkdale Inn. And then we encourage you to go directly to our website and Book Direct: for all the right reasons.

Reserve your Stay Now

We’re your home base for exploring and enjoying the Hood River Valley and beyond. After a full day, you’ll love the peace and tranquility of the Old Parkdale Inn. Relax in the gardens, perhaps with your favorite beverage, by the bonfire, roast some s’mores, weather permitting of course.

What’s to do

The Hood River Fruit Loop is located in the beautiful Hood River Valley at the foot of majestic Mt. Hood offering you a variety of wines, fruits, vegetables, flowers, ciders, and food. Many outdoor adventures, such as kayaking, windsurfing, skiing, snow boarding, and hiking, await. Mt. Hood Meadows, Cooper Spur Mountain Resort, and Timberline Ski areas are only a short drive away, as is the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood National Forest where trails and wildlife abound.

Magic mile sky ride

Hiking up a hill to a nice viewpoint is fun. But if you can get to a nice viewpoint without doing all that work, why not? During the summer months, it’s pretty easy for hikers to scale the slopes of Mount Hood — because the Magic Mile ski lift at Timberline Lodge does most of the work. Hop on, and you’re transported up the mountain on a thrilling ride to the rocky slopes above treeline. And from there, you can hike a little, just so you’re not lying when you tell people you hiked up Mount Hood.

Location

A drive up to Timberline Lodge is a highly recommended part of the Mount Hood Scenic Byway. From US 26 at Government Camp, take Timberline Highway up the hill to the end of the road. The end of the Magic Mile Skyride ski lift is located on the far side of the lodge. Signs are confusing and somewhat misleading — just walk up to the entrance to the main lodge, then keep going, slightly over the hill, and you’ll spot the end of the chair lift.

My Visit

A ride up Mount Hood should begin with a detour into the Timberline Lodge. You’ll probably recognize this grand old structure from Stanley Kubrik’s The Shining. Exteriors of the hotel were used in the movie, and in the film, room 217 was changed to 237 (a room that didn’t exist at Timberline Lodge), to avoid scaring people away from staying in the forbidden room 217.

The lower end of the Magic Mile lift is just beyond the entrance to the main lodge. For some reason, when I was there, signs for the Magic Mile pointed to the day lodge, and then once you walked through the day lodge, there were no more signs. I backtracked twice, looking for what I missed. Then I went into the main lodge and asked an employee, who didn’t know where it was. Eventually I went outside, walked around, looked for the chair lift, and followed it to the end.

As of 2015, a ticket for anyone over age 7 cost $15. You can buy your ticket at the window on the side of the lift station. Then, walk inside and hop on the next chair.

The trip up the mountain is a blast. It’s roughly 15 minutes, one-way, but the time flies as fast as you’re flying. You’ll gain a thousand vertical feet, from 6,000 feet above sea level at the lodge, to 7,000 feet at the upper station.

In no time, you’re closer to the top of Mount Hood (I swear it’s up there in the fog) as you arrive at the upper station.

Once your feet are back on the ground, you have a few choices. If you’re here to ski (yes, skiing is an option for most of the year), you can transfer to the Palmer lift, which continues up the mountain to Palmer Glacier. (That ride is not included in the cost of a Magic Mile ticket.)

You can also choose to just look around for a bit, and then take the ride back down. There aren’t any restaurants or gift shops up here — just some thin air and plenty of passing clouds.

A short hike over to the east takes you to the Silcox Hut — a warming hut and special event facility. I visited it after my hike — more on it in a moment.

I decided that 7,000 feet wasn’t high enough. Heck, the top of the mountain is right there! Why not just hike all the way up it?

There’s a good reason. Mount Hood’s peak may appear close, but it’s 4/5 of a vertical mile above your head. And it’s snowy up there, even in August.

So, I didn’t hike all the way to the peak, but I was determined to gain some more elevation. There are some “trails” of some sort, that head up the mountain from the chair lift station. I made my way through a ravine and up onto a fairly easy spot, and started going higher.

It seems like this rock is big enough to create an obstacle for skiers, but I guess the snow up here gets deep enough in the winter that it’s completely buried. In summer, though, it makes a nice destination for hikers.

I can’t tell you exactly how far I hiked, but it seemed like a long way. It was far enough that I had this view of the chair lift station…

… and with my zoomiest of zoom lenses, I could look all the way down to the Timberline Lodge, and parking area.

After reaching a ridge that I had arbitrarily set as my goal, I headed back down, and swung over to Silcox Hut.

Silcox Hut was built by the WPA in 1939. When the chair lift was rerouted in the 1960’s, the hut was abandoned for a few years, then struggled with vandalism for decades. A group called Friends of Silcox Hut took over in the 80’s, and gradually restored the structure, opening it to the public in 1993.

Nowadays, you can spend the night at Silcox Hut — assuming you’re part of a large group of people willing to pay for the privilege. The cost per person is pricey, but not overly extravagant when you consider exactly where you’ll be staying. The hut is available for overnight stays, weddings, corporate retreats, and other events.

If you can’t see the top of Mount Hood, just wait a while. Remember how foggy it looked about an hour earlier? By the end of my visit it was clear and beautiful.

All that was left was my ride back down the hill, and my drive back to Portland. This was my final stop of the trip, and it was a great way to cap off a week in Oregon and Northern California!

Traveling to Canada: What You Need To Know

Driving the Mount Hood Byway, Oregon

The Bottom Line

A ride up the Magic Mile Skyride is a lot of fun, and hiking around on the rocks at the upper end of the chair lift is great, too. It’s worth the ride, just for the views on the way up and the way down. If you take some time hiking at the top, you’ll find even more great places to take pictures, or just sit and relax.

Drivelapse Video

Here’s a look at the drive on the Mount Hood Scenic Byway up to Timberline Lodge…

… and from the lodge, down and around to I-84 at Hood River, Oregon:

Reviews for "Take a ride on the magic mile sky ride and feel like you're flying"

1. Sandy - 1/5 stars - The Magic Mile Sky Ride was a major disappointment. Not only was the view incredibly underwhelming, but the ride itself was extremely slow and boring. I expected to see stunning panoramic views of the mountains, but instead, all I could see were some trees and the occasional patch of snow. The ride lasted way too long for such a lackluster experience, and I definitely would not recommend it to anyone seeking a thrilling or scenic adventure.

2. Mark - 2/5 stars - The Magic Mile Sky Ride was just an average attraction in my opinion. The views were alright, but nothing spectacular. I was expecting to be amazed by the scenery, but instead, it felt like a typical cable car ride that you could find in any other tourist spot. The ride did provide a decent vantage point to overlook the area, but there was nothing particularly special about it. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't prioritize this attraction if you're short on time.

3. Emily - 2/5 stars - The Magic Mile Sky Ride fell short of my expectations. While the concept of riding in a cable car and seeing the surrounding landscape from above sounded intriguing, the reality was quite disappointing. The ride was overcrowded, making it challenging to fully appreciate the view. Additionally, the ride itself was uneventful, and the landscape didn't offer anything unique or breathtaking. I'd recommend exploring other attractions in the area that offer a more memorable experience.

Take your family on an unforgettable journey on the Magic Mile Sky Ride

Discover the magic of the Magic Mile Sky Ride

Explore the beauty of the sky with the Magic Mile Sky Ride