Anakeesta, the award-winning mountaintop adventure park in the heart of Gatlinburg, has announced an exciting addition that will completely transform the way guests reach the summit. Introducing The Crystal Express, a next-generation, high-speed gondola designed to deliver a faster, smoother, and more immersive journey to the top of the mountain.
This innovative new lift is a cornerstone of Anakeesta’s bold five-year, $100 million expansion plan, the largest growth initiative in the park’s history. The long-term investment reflects Anakeesta’s continued commitment to Making More Magic. This is a vision centered on enhancing the guest experience from the very first step of the adventure.
A More Magical Ascent
Replacing the park’s current lift, The Crystal Express will depart from the same convenient Parkway location in downtown Gatlinburg while offering a significantly upgraded ride experience. The new gondola will feature 56 luxurious panoramic cabins, each designed with glass floors and walls to provide uninterrupted 360-degree views of the surrounding Smoky Mountain landscape.
Guests will glide above forests, valleys, and the Gatlinburg skyline, creating a one-of-a-kind “floating overlook” that turns the journey itself into a highlight of the visit. The approximately four-minute ride will carry passengers more than 2,000 feet up the mountainside, rising 600 feet above downtown Gatlinburg and soaring nearly 80 feet above the ground at select points along the route.
“The Crystal Express represents a major step forward in the guest journey at Anakeesta,” said Bob Bentz, Founding Partner of Anakeesta. “From the moment visitors leave the Parkway, we want them to feel the magic of this mountain. This new lift enhances that experience with incredible views, greater comfort, and the efficiency needed to welcome even more families to the Smokies.”
Designed With Families in Mind
To support the new detachable gondola system, Anakeesta’s Parkway station will undergo a thoughtful retrofit that maintains its familiar footprint while incorporating major behind-the-scenes upgrades. The redesigned station will offer enhanced efficiency with easy on-and-off loading, allowing families to roll strollers directly in and out of the cabins for a smoother and faster start to their mountain adventure.
Opening Timeline
Anakeesta is currently temporarily closed to allow for installation of The Crystal Express. Guests will return to the mountain in early spring via the Ridge Rambler, with the grand debut of the Crystal Express scheduled for later in the spring. Once complete, the new gondola will mark a major milestone in Anakeesta’s continued evolution and long-term vision.
About Anakeesta
Located in the heart of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Anakeesta is one of the region’s premier mountaintop destinations, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. The park blends adventure, relaxation, and discovery through a wide variety of immersive experiences.
Guests can stroll the nation’s longest Treetop Skywalk, take in sweeping views from AnaVista Tower, explore the scenic pathways of Vista Gardens, or experience the magic of Astra Lumina, an enchanting nighttime walk through a luminous forest of light and sound. Thrill-seekers can race down two mountain coasters Hellbender and Rail Runner, while dining, handcrafted cocktails, gem mining, and wildlife experiences like BirdVenture round out a full day on the mountain.
To learn more about Anakeesta and stay up to date on the opening of The Crystal Express, visit Anakeesta.com.
