Why walk when you can ride? OK, lots of reasons…But both you and your dog will enjoy the novelty of a lift-assisted hike at the Northstar California, Palisades Tahoe or Mammoth Mountain ski resorts, all of which offer enclosed dog-friendly trams.
Mammoth Mountain’s dog-friendly Panoramic Gondola climbs to the mountain’s dizzying, 11,053-foot summit, offering views that go on forever on a clear day. There’s lots to see and do up top and at mid-mountain, from watching mountain bikers whizzing by to exploring an interpretive center to watching people roping up on the resort’s new Via Ferrata rock-climbing attraction. Conditions permitting, dogs and their people can hike down the backside of the mountain along a chain of lakes and streams, then hitch a ride back to town on a free shuttle bus (know before you go that dogs have to be muzzled as well as leashed).
At Northstar California, lifts operate through September primarily to service an extensive mountain bike park. Hikers and dogs are welcome to ride in enclosed cars on the Big Springs Gondola and the Highland and Zephyr Express lifts, the latter of which lands riders just a short hike from the Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165-mile path encircling the Tahoe Basin. Food is available in the base-area village, at the mid-mountain Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe and other venues depending on the date.
Over at Palisades Tahoe, dogs can join their people on the iconic aerial tram that makes a dramatic, 2,000-foot ascent from the base area to the High Camp recreation complex at 8,200 feet. There are lots of options up top, from hiking trails to a swimming pool/hot tub complex and a dog-friendly patio restaurant.
Tips for riding lifts and gondolas with your dog: Keep your dog on a short leash during loading and unloading—this is when most dogs get nervous, so stay calm and give them a reassuring hand on the collar. Bring water and a collapsible bowl, especially at Mammoth where the altitude is significant. If your dog hasn’t ridden a gondola before, watch their body language during the first few minutes; most dogs settle in quickly once they realize they’re safe. And don’t forget the paw check: hot pavement at base areas and sharp rocks on summit trails can be tough on pads, so consider bringing booties along just in case.
