Want to get above it all in the Colorado Rocky Mountains? Try a free gondola ride in the summer or fall.

Two of the best places in Colorado to get even more amazing views of the mountains than you can get from the ground are on the free gondolas in Telluride and Breckenridge.

Gondolas are popular with folks of all ages. Some are even dog friendly and accessible to people with limited mobility.

Southwestern Colorado is famous for its stunning San Juan Mountains, and the historic mining town, Telluride, is tucked into a box canyon. That means that the highway ends in Telluride. To get to the peaks that soar above the town, you need to hike, take one of the rugged jeep roads, or hop onto the free gondola.

Telluride’s gondola connects the historic town with the much newer Mountain Village. In town, you’ll start at 8,750 feet above sea level. As you ride up to the San Sophia station, you’ll reach 10,540 feet. On the way up, you can look north across town and see one of Telluride’s waterfalls, Cornet Creek Falls, as it spills over the valley’s trademark red rocks in the distance. At the San Sophia Station, you can hop out and hike or bike (there are fees for the bike trails), or you can ride down to the Mountain Village. Both from San Sophia and Mountain Village stops, you’ll get spectacular vistas to the southwest of surrounding peaks, including giant Mount Wilson, one of Colorado’s 14ers.

If your dog has joined you on your vacation, no worries. Every third car in Telluride is dog friendly. Just look for the paw prints on the car, and be sure to have your pet leashed. Attendants are always there to help you board and exit.

Details on free gondola rides

Telluride/ Mountain Village gondola

Summer season operates from late May through late October. Winter season begins mid-November and runs through early- to mid-April.

Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to midnight, and it can run until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays during the town’s summer/fall festival months. It is closed for a short duration in the late spring and fall for maintenance and other operational needs.

Where to park

If you are not staying overnight in Telluride or the Mountain Village, you can park for free in the Mountain Village parking garage and take the gondola into the town. Handicap-accessible cabins are available along with those for pets. Attendants can help load strollers, wheelchairs and bikes.

BreckConnect Gondola in Breckenridge

Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., mid-June through early September. (Last ride up is 5 p.m. and last ride down is 5:30 p.m.)The BreckConnect gondola is closed during the fall and re-opens for winter operations in November.

The gondola leads to the base of Peak 8, where the summer Epic Discovery park is located. (Please note: the gondola and hiking are free. There are fees for the activities at Epic Discovery.)

Where to park: Parking is available slope side or in town through the Breck Park app. The area also has a free in-town transportation system.

Other gondola rides that are not free:

Aspen Silver Queen Gondola

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last ride down at 4:30 p.m.) from mid-June through early September. Open most weekends May through Oct. 1.

During the winter months you have to purchase a “foot pass” to ride the gondola.

Beaver Creek’s Centennial Express

Open daily from mid-June through early September from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (weather permitting). Gondola rides are not listed on their website for winter activities.

Elk Camp Gondola, Snowmass Village

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 21 through Sept. 4. Then open Friday through Sunday from Sept. 8 through Oct. 1. Parking is free in the Base Village garage and in the other numnbered lots.

In the winter, you can get a sightseeing ticket to ride between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. There are four gondolas available to ride between November and April. Tickets are limited, and check out the details before you go.

River Run Gondola at Keystone resort

Open Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the last chair up the mountain is at 4:30 p.m.) from late June through early September, with bonus weekends scheduled the rest of September. The gondola requires a scenic lift ticket to ride, which you can also get in the winter months between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Scenic Gondola at Winter Park Resort

The gondola is free to Winter Park and Ikon season pass holders, and during Mountaintop Apres, but there are fees for others. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Vail’s Eagle Bahn Gondola and Gondola One

Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June through early September. Then open only Friday through Sunday through the end of September.

In the winter, ride to get breathtaking views of the Gore Rand and the Mount of the Holy Cross.

Glenwood Gondola

Takes you from the valley floor to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park at the top of a mountain in a 5-minute ride. Check the park’s calendar for hours of operation and cost.

Steamboat Gondola and Christie Peak Express

Foot passengers only and get unlimited rides that day. Ikon pass holders can get a free ticket at the Steamboat ski resort office located inside the Steamboat Sports Sheraton. Tickets are also free for children ages 5 to 12 with the purchase of an adult (13+) ticket but are limited to one free kid pass per adult ticket.

Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from late May through early September (dates vary for the different lift services). The Steamboat Gondola is then open Friday through Sunday only through the end of September..