West Virginia State Parks officials announced today that progress on replacing the aerial tramway at Pipestem Resort will reach a significant milestone this month with the installation of new support towers along the canyon rim of the Bluestone River Gorge.

Replacing the tram system at Pipestem Resort is part of the Justice administration’s ongoing investment in infrastructure upgrades across the West Virginia State Parks system. Over the last seven years, more than $150 million has been spent upgrading park facilities with more than $24 million going to improvements at Pipestem Resort.

“Pipestem Resort has always been one of the most popular state parks in West Virginia and this new tramway is going to help us accommodate visitors and continue to offer a world-class experience,” said West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Director Brett McMillion. “As a former superintendent at Pipestem, I want to thank Gov. Justice for his continued support of our state parks over these last seven years and guaranteeing that they will be enjoyed by West Virginians and visitors alike for years to come."

Work on replacing the tram system, which was more than 60 years old, started in December 2023 and is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2024. In the coming weeks, the old support towers will be flown out of the gorge by helicopter and new towers will be flown in and set on new concrete platforms. Work is being done by Doppelmayr USA, which has a base of operations located in Tucker County.

The new tram system, which provides the only means of transportation to overnight lodge guests, anglers and adventure seekers to the base of the gorge, will feature significant improvements over the previous system, such as larger six-passenger gondolas that will be fully accessible. There also will be a freight car that can transport bicycles and kayaks to and from the 30-room Mountain Creek Lodge.

“Exciting things are happening at Pipestem Resort State Park and we’re excited to see how this new tramway is going to make one of this beloved state parks even better,” said West Virginia State Parks Chief Brad Reed.

Located on the east rim of the Bluestone River Gorge on the border of Summers and Mercer counties, Pipestem Resort State Park has been West Virginia’s premier family adventure resort since Memorial Day 1970, when it opened to the public. The park features stunning views and offers exhilarating zipline tours, a splash park and adventure lake, guided trout fishing trips, mountain bike excursions, a championship golf course, 82 campsites, 26 cabins and two lodges.  

 

Editor's Note: Submitted photo.