Hillside Trams for Spokane’s South Hill & Lakeside Homes
If a steep slope stands between your house and your driveway, dock, or garden, an outdoor hillside tram can give that ground back — safely, year-round.
Some of the most beautiful homes around Spokane come with a catch: a hillside. Whether it’s a South Hill lot that drops away toward the street, or a place on Liberty Lake, Newman Lake, or Coeur d’Alene where the house sits high above the water, that slope is exactly what makes the view — and exactly what makes daily life hard as knees, hips, and balance change over time.
A hillside tram (also called an inclined elevator or outdoor incline lift) solves that problem directly. It’s a powered car that rides on a track set into the slope, carrying people — and groceries, luggage, or coolers — smoothly between the top and bottom of a hill.
What a hillside tram actually is
Think of it as an outdoor elevator that travels on an angle instead of straight up. A track is anchored into the hillside, and a comfortable, weatherproof car moves along it at the push of a button. Unlike a long run of outdoor stairs, a tram doesn’t ask anything of your knees — you simply step on, ride, and step off.
Steep driveways, waterfront properties with the house above the dock, terraced gardens, and any Spokane-area home where the front door and the parking are separated by a punishing set of stairs.
Why they’re a great fit for the Spokane area
South Hill and bluff-top lots
Many South Hill and river-bluff homes were built into the grade, with garages and entries at dramatically different elevations. A tram turns a daily climb into a ten-second ride — and makes carrying anything up or down safe again.
Lake homes at Liberty Lake, Newman Lake & CdA
Waterfront living often means the house is up top and the dock is far below. A hillside tram gets you — and the kayak paddles, the cooler, and the grandkids — down to the water without navigating a steep, often slick set of stairs.
Built for four real seasons
Outdoor equipment in the Inland Northwest has to handle snow, ice, and freeze-thaw. Hillside trams are engineered for outdoor use, with weather-rated components, covered options, and safety systems designed to keep operating through the seasons.
Safety and comfort come standard
Modern hillside trams are built around safety. Typical features include:
- Battery backup so the tram keeps running during a power outage — important on rural and lakeside properties.
- Slack-rope and overspeed protection that stops the car if anything isn’t right.
- Obstruction sensing to prevent the car from continuing if something is in its path.
- Weatherproof, non-slip surfaces and secure seating or standing room, often with space for a wheelchair or cargo.
- Simple call-and-send controls at the top and bottom landings.
Planning a tram on your property
Every hillside is different, so a tram is always a custom project. When we visit, we look at the slope’s length and steepness, soil and anchoring, the path of the track, where you want the landings, and how power will reach the site. From there we design a track that fits the terrain and your daily routine.
Because trams are outdoor powered conveyances, they are also subject to Washington’s installation and inspection requirements — something we handle as part of the project, so your tram is permitted, tested, and done right.
Get your hillside back
Send us a few details about your slope and we’ll set up a site visit to see whether a hillside tram is the right fit — and what it would take to build.
Ask about a hillside tramFrequently asked questions
What is a hillside tram?
A hillside tram is an outdoor inclined elevator — a powered car that rides on a track anchored into a slope, carrying people and cargo between the top and bottom of a hill. It’s a common solution for steep driveways and waterfront properties.
Can a tram be installed on a very steep or wooded lot?
Usually, yes. Trams are custom-designed to the terrain, and the track can follow steep grades and work around trees and landscaping. A site visit tells us exactly what’s possible on your property.
Do hillside trams work in Spokane winters?
Yes. They’re built for outdoor use with weather-rated components and safety systems, and battery backup keeps them running during outages. Covered options add extra protection from snow and ice.
Is a tram safe to ride?
Modern trams include battery backup, overspeed and slack-rope protection, obstruction sensing, and non-slip surfaces. In Washington they’re also permitted and inspected, which we handle as part of the installation.
This article is general information about hillside trams and is not a quote. Every installation depends on the slope, soil, site access, and local requirements. Contact The Spokane Elevator Company to evaluate your specific property.