SPECTATOR HUB

It’s our goal to have incredible energy on the course for our runners by giving spectators all the tools and info they need to get to their runners as much as possible.

 

2026 Updates!

  1. For the first time, we are officially allowing access to Lone Peak summit for spectating all three days! Plus, spectators can experience  Kircliff while up at 11,166 ft.
  2. The Explorer Gondola is the new and improved way to access the Swiftcurrent Aid Station and Lone Peak Tram from the base area. Swiftcurrent is now for mountain bikers only.
  3. Moonlight Aid Stations 1 & 2 are no longer open to spectators due to another event happening at Moonlight Lodge. However, 50K spectators can see their runner at approx. mile 8 of the 50K by parking at the Madison Base area and hiking up a short hill to the course.

Lift Access & Schedule for Spectators:

Spectators must have scenic lift tickets to ride Big Sky Resort lifts. You can purchase a scenic lift ticket at a Big Sky Resort ticket window or the button below.

Scenic Lift Ticket Prices: 

  • $67 for a scenic lift ticket that allows you access to Ramcharger Lift, Explorer Gondola, and the Lone Peak Tram and Kircliff experience.
  • Tickets can be used all day long and there are no limits to the number of lift rides you can take.
  • $45 for seniors (70+) and juniors (7-17 yrs old)
  • $0 for kids 0-6

Multi-Day Passes:  (These will go live on the scenic lift ticket page on Sept 7th):

  • For spectators using lifts two or three days over Rut weekend, the second or third day lift pass will be 50% off. For example: 1 day – Adult $67, Jr/Sr $45 / 2 day – Adult $100.50, Jr/Sr $67.50 / 3 day – Adult $134, Jr/Sr $90

Lift Operation Hours:

Beginning in 2026, Swiftcurrent Lift is just for Mountain Biking, and Explorer Gondola will be the new and improved way to access the Swiftcurrent Aid Station and Lone Peak Tram to the summit

 

  • Friday Lift Hours:
    • Ramcharger: 9:00 AM – 4:45 PM
    • Explorer Gondola: 8:30 AM – 7:45 PM
    • Lone Peak Tram: 8:45 AM- 7:45 PM
  • Saturday Lift Hours:
    • Ramcharger: 9:00 AM – 4:45 PM
    • Explorer Gondola: 8:30 AM – 7:45 PM
    • Lone Peak Tram: 8:45 AM – 7:45 PM
  • Sunday Lift Hours: 
    • Ramcharger: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    • Explorer Gondola: 8:30 AM – 7:45 PM
    • Lone Peak Tram: 8:45 AM – 7:45 PM
Purchase Scenic lift pass

50K Spectator Spots: 

  • Spot #1: Madison Base Area | 10 Min drive from start (Directions)
  • Spot #2: Swiftcurrent Aid Station | Lift Accessible: Top of Explorer Gondola directly to the aid station from the base area with Scenic Lift Pass
  • Spot #3: Summit Aid Station | Lift Accessible: Take Explorer Gondola, then a short 1-minute walk to the Lone Peak Tram to the summit of Lone Peak at 11,166ft.
  • Spot #4: Andesite Aid Station | Lift accessible: Top of Ramcharger Lift. Only 5 Min lift ride from the Start/Finish Area with a Scenic Lift Pass

28K Spectator Spots: 

  • Spot #1: Swiftcurrent Aid Station | Lift Accessible: Top of Explorer Gondola directly to the aid station from the base area with Scenic Lift Pass
  • Spot #2: Summit Aid Station | Lift Accessible: Take Explorer Gondola, then a short 1-minute walk to the Lone Peak Tram to the summit of Lone Peak at 11,166ft.
  • Spot #3: Near the Top of Andesite | Lift accessible: Take the Ramcharger Lift from the base area. Then walk down the Pacifier Road a 1/4 mile until it intersects with the course.  You can cheer here, but you may not beat your runner to the finish, as they only have one mile to the finish.

21K Spectator Spots: 

  • Spot #1: Swiftcurrent Aid Station | Lift Accessible: Top of Swiftcurrent Lift directly to the aid station from the Start/Finish Area with Scenic Lift Pass
  • Spot #2: Andesite Aid Station | Lift accessible: Top of Ramcharger Lift. Only 5 Min lift ride from the Start/Finish Area with Scenic Lift Pass

11K Spectator Spots: 

  • Spot #1:  Andesite Aid Station.  The Ramcharger lift will not be open until 9:00 AM on Sunday.  It may be difficult to get to the top of the lift in time to see your 11K runner.  You can always hike to the summit to catch your runners, but you better hurry back down to catch them at the finish!

VK Spectator Spots: 

  • Spot #1: You are welcome to hike up the VK route and cheer people on until you reach the top of Bonecrusher Ridge.
  • Spot #2: Take the Explorer Gondola. From the top of the Gondola, walk .2 miles toward the top of the Swiftcurrent Lift until you intersect with the VK runners.
  • Spot #3: Summit Finish Line | Lift Accessible: Take the Explorer Gondola, then a short 1-minute walk to the Lone Peak Tram to the summit of Lone Peak at 11,166ft.  

Runt Run Spectator Spots:

  • The Rut Runt Run is perhaps the highest energy, most spectator friendly race of Rut weekend.  We highly encourage you to be in the Big Sky Resort Base Area to cheer on the Rut Runts as they conquer the hills, roads, trails, and hay bales on the 1K loop course.

Hiking Options:

If riding lifts isn’t in your plan, we welcome and encourage spectators to access our aid station and spectator zones by hiking.

Stay ahead of the pack and get the latest from The Rut Mountain Runs!