“A gondola for Aspen Mountain,” proclaimed The Aspen Times on Feb. 27, 1986. “A six-passenger gondola with the world’s greatest vertical rise, 3,250 feet, is planned for Aspen Mountain next season. Barring any construction or approval delays, the 165-car Poma of America-manufactured enclosed lift, the ‘Silver Queen,’ with the ability to transport 2,000 skiers per hour, will be in operation by December 1986, coinciding with Aspen Mountain’s 40th anniversary. The 13-minute base to summit trip on the Silver Queen will shorten lift-riding time by up to 35 minutes from the present three lifts to the top system. The installation of a gondola means for the first time, an Aspen Mountain lift will be open to foot passengers, who will be able to purchase single-ride lift tickets. It’s likely the gondola will also operate in the summer. At present there are three other gondolas in Colorado, at Steamboat, Keystone and Vail, but the Silver Queen will be the only base-to-summit enclosed lift in the state.” The image above shows the Silver Queen Gondola in the winter of 1986-87.