No. 

The Glacier View Tram is a proposal, not an approved project. Any proposal must go through the U.S. Forest Service's established environmental review and permitting processes, including a public comment period, before any decisions are made. No decisions have been made and no permit has been granted to date. 

The U.S. Forest Service. 

The Forest Service is responsible for evaluating the proposal, conducting all necessary environmental reviews, gathering public feedback, and determining whether the project should be approved, modified, or denied. The Forest Service is the decision-maker throughout the process.  

Now that the proposal is submitted, the Forest Service will conduct an initial screening process to determine whether it may advance into further review. If the proposal progresses, additional analysis and environmental review would follow, along with opportunities for public participation and feedback.  

Yes. 

Public engagement is an important part of the federal review process. If the proposal advances, the Forest Service will determine how and when public input is gathered as part of its review. Pursuit also intends to engage with community members throughout the process and welcomes community feedback.  

The proposed project is designed to provide a mountain experience for people of all ages and abilities. Accessible trails, viewing areas, and visitor facilities at both the base and ridgeline stations will create new opportunities to access and experience these public lands, including those who cannot safely or practically ascend the rugged mountain terrain. Pursuit believes that the proposed sightseeing tram would provide an exciting new recreation offering in the Flathead Valley and create new economic opportunities for local communities. 

The proposed tram would be located on the north slopes of Columbia Mountain within the Flathead National Forest, near Hungry Horse, Montana. The concept includes a base area immediately adjacent to Highway 2 and an upper station located along a ridgeline below the summit of Columbia Mountain.  

The concept currently includes: 

• A base area with parking and guest services. 

• A sightseeing aerial tramway with large-capacity cabins. 

• Viewing areas and gathering spaces. 

• Trail connections and accessible recreation opportunities. 

• Food and retail services. 

• Information space for visitors.   

Because the proposal remains in the early stages, all elements would be subject to review and could change through the process.   

Environmental considerations would be evaluated by the Forest Service through a formal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and documentation. Issues such as wildlife habitat, visual impacts, recreation use, and other environmental factors would be assessed by the agency as part of the required environmental analysis. The public will also have an opportunity to provide feedback during the NEPA process. 

Pursuit recognizes that these are important questions and believes they should be carefully considered as part of the federal review process.

No. 

The proposal involves a potential recreation use on public land that would remain under U.S. Forest Service oversight. Any authorization would occur through a Forest Service Special Use Permit and would remain subject to federal terms, requirements and oversight.

The current concept places the upper station – which will be powered by renewable energy – along a ridgeline below the summit rather than on the peak. Proposed building materials are intended to help minimize visual impacts and maintain scenic character. Detailed analysis of visual effects would be part of the Forest Service review process if the proposal advances. The proposed tramway operations plan will include best practices and technologies for adverse weather, wildfire detection, and mitigation of other emergency events.

Hungry Horse and surrounding communities are important stakeholders in the discussion. Pursuit believes community input is essential and is committed to engaging with local residents, leaders, businesses, and organizations throughout the process.

Pursuit has operated in northwest Montana for more than 60 years, previously as Glacier Park Inc., and today operates hospitality and visitor experiences throughout the region. Pursuit believes any future investment should be approached responsibly, and with respect for the landscape, local communities, and public land stewardship.

Tourism in the Flathead Valley is a key economic driver for the region; however, this important sector remains highly seasonal. If approved, a year-round experience provided by the proposed Glacier View Tram could help extend economic activity beyond the peak summer season.

As the process moves forward, additional project information, updates, and opportunities for engagement will be made available through project communications channels and future community outreach efforts conducted by Pursuit and the Forest Service. Pursuit welcomes questions, comments, and feedback throughout the process, and the USFS will provide formal opportunities for public review and comment.

Residents and guests alike value the Flathead Valley for its remarkable landscape. But as visitation has grown in recent decades, our recreation infrastructure largely remains the same. The Glacier View Tram will create new opportunities for guests of all ages and abilities to access the National Forest. Today, ascending Columbia Mountain and enjoying the view from the summit is not possible for most visitors to the area. 

If approved, the year-round experience provided by the proposed Glacier View Tram could help extend and stabilize economic activity in the Flathead Valley beyond the peak summer season.  

Pursuit is fully committed to meeting any Roadless Rule requirements and any other federal, state, and local requirements relevant to review process for the Glacier View Tram.  

We’ve made changes to the proposal on two fronts. First, we’re taking a different approach to introducing the proposal to the Flathead Valley. Pursuit is bringing all interested residents into the conversation through frequent project communications and ongoing opportunities to submit feedback. The outreach effort in 2022 was much smaller and, frankly, insufficient to the task. 

Second, we’ve made a key change to the proposal itself. Pursuit has further studied the GVT concept since 2022 and believes that it should be a year-round attraction – not a seasonal offering, as originally proposed. This change significantly grows the value proposition for our local, recreation-driven economies across the valley: more permanent jobs, increased revenues, and much-needed demand for local businesses during slower times on the recreation calendar.