Some say a summit is always worth a big climb. But if you have bad knees (or small children, or just a general aversion to suffering) you know that sometimes no view is worth the agony of a super-steep hike. The good news? That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to swear off big peaks. These days a number of ski areas around the U.S. (and the world) are opening their chairlifts and gondolas to hikers in the summertime, offering easy access to big alpine terrain but without the grueling ascent.

So, whether you’re looking to skip the climb, skip the descent, or simply spend a higher percentage of your day frolicking through the good stuff, chairlift hiking could be your ticket to elevated adventure. These seven ski areas offer some of the best chairlift-accessed hiking on earth.

Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico

Hiking trails in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains feel tucked away and shockingly uncrowded for how scenic they are. At Taos Ski Valley, catch Lift 4 throughout the summer to hike among wildflowers in the Kachina Basin. A single-day lift ticket includes unlimited rides up and down both Lift 4 and Lift 1, so you can ride up and hike down, or vice-versa. Northern New Mexico is also a hub for geothermal activity, and there’s no shortage of hot springs for some post-hike relaxation.

Tickets: $27 for adults, discounts for kids and seniors

Cannon Mountain, New Hampshire

Ride North America’s first-ever aerial tramway to the 4,080-foot summit of Cannon Mountain, the highest lift-accessible point in New Hampshire. On a clear day, you can see mountains in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Maine, and Canada from the observation point accessed by the Rim Trail. Another bonus: the summit restaurant, Café 4080, is the state’s highest bar.

Tickets: Starting at $25 if purchased online, with discounts for kids and local seniors.

Breckenridge, Colorado

In the summertime, Breckenridge’s Colorado SuperChair offers scenic rides to Peak 8. Hike among wildflowers on the mile-long Horseshoe Bowl Hiking Loop, either on your own or with a National Forest ranger. Guided hikes meet at the top of the chair at 11:30 a.m. Thursday through Sunday, and are free with a scenic chairlift ticket.

Tickets: $35 for ages 5 and up

Lutsen Mountains, Minnesota

At Lutsen, hike a four-mile segment of the Superior Hiking Trail to the top of Minnesota’s Moose Mountain, a peak that offers views across the Sawtooths and the glittering surface of Lake Superior beyond. The Summit Chalet offers lunch with stunning views—a great place to fuel up for the descent. (Return the way you came, or take the gondola, which is open for hikers throughout the summer and on select Saturdays in the fall.)

Tickets: $29 round-trip for adults with discounts for kids, seniors, and families. Save a few bucks by hiking down.

Gemmi Cable Car, Leukerbad, Switzerland

The German-speaking hot-springs town of Leukerbad feels like an undiscovered gateway to the Alps. It’s easy to get here on public transportation from Bern or Zermatt—or pretty much anywhere in Switzerland, thanks to the country’s incredible network of trains. The Gemmi Cable Car will transport you right from town to mountaintop, where the 7,700-foot Gemmi Pass offers views of the Matterhorn and many of the country’s other tallest peaks. Hike a loop from here or go onward on the mild Thomas Cook trail, which leads to a lift down the other side of the pass.

Tickets: Gemmi Cable Car tickets start around $28 for a one-way ride, with discounts for kids and hotel guests in town. (If you stay in Leukerbad, ask for a Leukerbad Guest Card). Lift tickets are also free for guests of the Gemmi Lodge.

Mount Washington, British Columbia, Canada

One of Vancouver Island’s most beloved peaks, Mount Washington offers summer lift tickets on its Eagle Express. The lift serves up “alpine to ocean” views of both the Vancouver Island Ranges and the Salish Sea. From the summit, you can access the short and easy “Top of the World” hike with panoramic views, or you can hike all the way down via the more challenging Linton’s or Giv’er trails. Cool perk: If you hike up on your own and want to ride the descent, a one-way lift back to the base is free.

Tickets: Starting around $14 for adults, with discounts for kids, families, and seniors. If you hike up and want to ride down, the lift is free.

Kaiserlift, Kufstein, Tyrol, Austria

The Tyrol region of Austria has no shortage of dramatic chairlifts and gondolas to choose from, which lead to a wide variety of terrain for all experience levels. Start with the stunning 30-minute, two-lift ride up Kufstein’s Kaiserlift, which unlocks access to 600 miles of hiking trails. Bring cash for a hearty, hot lunch in one of many traditional alpine huts.

Tickets: Starting around $25 round-trip, with discounts for kids and one-way rides. If you’re staying overnight in a hotel, ask for a free Kufsteinerland Card, which gives you one free round-trip ride on the lift. It’s easy to access the lift from town by bike or public transit—also free with the guest card.