The tramway was constructed in 1996 with final completion in early 1997 and rises from the Juneau waterfront to timberline at the 1800' elevation of Mt. Roberts (3,819 feet). The tramway system was manufactured by Poma of America a subsidiary of Pomagalski S.A. of France (in 1997 at least, the world's largest manufacturer of ropeways) and has built ski-lifts for many ski areas in the western United States. It is a reversible, jig-back aerial tramway with two cabins, each holding 60 passengers. The slope length of the tramway is 3087', vertical rise of 1744', average slope 68%, and a maximum speed of 2000' per minute.

It utilizes (2) 2" track ropes per track (there are two tracks), manufactured by Fatzer of Switzerland and one 1-3/8" diameter haul rope in a loop. Each cabin is suspended from a carriage which rides on the two track ropes and is pulled by the haul rope.

The upper tramway terminal is a steel structure 165 feet tall and consists of over 400,000 lbs. of steel - all assembled by helicopter. The structure contains the loading and unloading platforms and a 3000 square foot viewing platform, it is connected by a bridge to the Mt. Roberts Observatory building which houses a restaurant, 2 gift shops, a theater, and restrooms. Nearby is the Mt. Roberts Nature Center owned by Gastineau Guiding, and a kiosk operated by the Juneau Raptor Center where a live Bald Eagle (one that cannot fly) can be seen.

From the upper terminal area there is a loop trail with views of Last Chance Basin and the looming mass of Mt. Juneau on the other side of the Basin; and the Mt. Roberts Trail which leads to the top of the mountain as well as down to 6th Street in downtown Juneau. A popular destination is "The Cross" originally erected in the early 1900's by Father Brown and replaced many times after that; the approximately 1/2 mile walk leads to the inland side of the ridge with views of a mountain cirque and distant views to the Mt. Juneau Ridge and Olds Mountain before climbing to the area of The Cross with it's broad views. Pictures of hikers by The Cross with downtown Juneau below as the backdrop are quite popular.

June 21, 2004