Skiers at Big Sky Resort in Montana are getting a high-tech lift to the slopes this season that does not involve a gondola. X user Kyle Conner (@itskyleconner) recently shared footage of a fleet of at least six Rivian R1T trucks being used as a specialized shuttle service at the resort.
"6 Rivian R1Ts pulling trailers to move people around Big Sky ski area. So cool!" Conner noted while capturing the electric trucks in action. The implementation is a clever way to solve a common mountain problem: getting people from free parking zones to the ski lifts without forcing them to hike up in heavy gear.
This is amazing https://t.co/mwcm2IOqak pic.twitter.com/8IN3BaI6w2
— Kyle Conner (@itskyleconner) February 27, 2026
A Sustainable Mountain Shuttle
The setup involves the R1T trucks pulling large trailers or carts, each capable of seating more than a dozen people. According to Conner, the shuttle service runs daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., effortlessly moving crowds across the ski zone.
It appears that Rivian may have provided both the trucks and the custom trailers to the resort for this specific pilot program. When the sun goes down and the slopes close, the fleet is parked at on-site Level 2 AC chargers to juice up for the next day. Seeing these silent, emission-free pickups replace noisy diesel shuttles is a major win for sustainable mobility in fragile mountain ecosystems.
6 Rivian R1Ts pulling trailers to move people around Big Sky ski area. So cool! pic.twitter.com/l3xIDNuiQa
— Kyle Conner (@itskyleconner) February 27, 2026
Built for the Wild: R1T Specs
The R1T is practically overqualified for this job. The Gen 2 (2025–2026) model is a high-performance beast, with the Quad-Motor variant pushing a staggering 1,025 hp and 1,198 lb-ft of torque. It can hit 0–60 mph in just 2.5 seconds, and the Dual Max version offers a massive EPA-estimated range of 420 miles.
More importantly for a ski resort, the R1T features 14.9 inches of ground clearance and advanced off-road capabilities that make navigating icy, snowy roads a breeze. With a max towing capacity of 11,000 lbs, pulling a cart filled with skiers is light work for this truck. Safety is also a major factor, as the R1T is the only EV ever to achieve an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating in the pickup category.
The Future of the Brand
This mountain implementation comes at an exciting time for Rivian. While the R1T and R1S continue to prove their worth in extreme conditions, the company is finally nearing the launch of its long-awaited R2 midsize SUV.
The Big Sky implementation is pretty impressive. By putting their hardware into real-world, high-utility roles like this, Rivian is showing that electric trucks are not just for the suburbs — they are rugged enough to keep a world-class ski resort running smoothly and sustainably.
