2023-11-03 10:02:44
More comfort, more capacity, more technology: In many Alpine ski areas, more powerful systems are replacing outdated predecessors. There are also some new slopes. And in Germany? There is a remarkable new building here: not in the Alps, but in the Fichtelgebirge.
According to the portal Skiresort.de Around 270 new systems will go into operation in ski areas around the world this winter – from conveyor belts for beginners to large gondola lifts. Listing them all would fill a book. Therefore, here is a fine selection – the top ten ski innovations in Europe:
1. New cable car to Ochsenkopf
Starting this winter, a new cable car will run up and down the north side of the mountain at the Ochsenkopf (1024 m) in the Fichtelgebirge in northern Bavaria. The 40 ten-person gondolas are scheduled to start operating from December 22nd (capacity: around 2,000 people/hour).
The photo shows the valley station of the Ochsenkopf-Bahn in Bischofsgrün under construction
Source: dpa-tmn
The energy for this is provided by our own photovoltaic system. The cable car replaces an old two-seater chairlift, whose seats are to be given a second life as recliners in the mountain landscape, as the Fichtelgebirge holiday region announced.
The gondolas make it easier for families with strollers and people with disabilities to get up the mountain. The operation is planned all year round, in summer for bikers and hikers. Another cable car will follow on the south side of the mountain in winter 2024/2025.
2. Closing the gap on the Matterhorn
Strictly speaking, it is not a novelty because the cable car opened in the summer. But now winter holidaymakers are also benefiting from the “Matterhorn Glacier Ride II” closing the gap between the ski areas of Zermatt in the Swiss Valais and Cervinia in the Italian Aosta Valley.
Breathtaking views even from under your feet: individual cabins on the “Matterhorn Glacier Ride II” have a glass floor
Source: dpa-tmn
Admittedly, commuting between areas on skis has already been possible. But in order to get from the border mountain station of Testa Grigia (3,480 m) up to the Matterhorn mountain station (3,883 m), holidaymakers previously had to first descend towards Zermatt to the Trockener Steg station (2,939 m) and then go up again from there – now here comes you can also go straight up from the Italian side.
Pedestrians and winter hikers benefit even more. The total travel time on all trains from Zermatt to Cervinia is around one and a half hours.
3. Gondola taxis in Graubünden
Another exciting innovation in Switzerland: A gondola lift with “Ropetaxi” technology is starting in Flims Laax Falera in Graubünden. The system ensures that the gondolas in the station move autonomously with their own electric drive and can travel individually depending on the number of passengers, according to the mountain railway parent company.
After the passengers have chosen their destination at the push of a button, they go to the desired mountain station without having to change trains. Switches in the stations ensure the flexible route of the cable car.
Gondolas of the “FlemXpress”: At the push of a button, passengers can reach their desired destination on the mountain
Source: dpa-tmn
The start of the first “FlemXpress” connections is planned for mid-December – initially between Flims and Foppa and Foppa and Startgels. The Segnes, Nagens Sura and Cassons stations are scheduled to be connected by the end of 2024.
4. A cable car is moving in Salzburger Land
An eight-person gondola lift is being relocated to the Ski amadé ski association. So far it has been in use in Dorfgastein-Großarltal. Now it will be dismantled and rebuilt on the Fageralm. A new, longer, more powerful gondola lift is opening in Dorfgastein this winter. It should go up to Kieserl (1953 m).
A new gondola lift is opening in Dorfgastein-Großarltal – the old one will be dismantled and rebuilt elsewhere
Source: dpa-tmn
A brief overview of other cable cars that are starting operations in the Austrian Alps and replacing older systems:
* The Komperdellbahn 2.0 in the Tyrolean ski area of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is to be opened with a new intermediate station – it can transport up to 3,000 people per hour.
Functionally equipped: View into a cabin of the Komperdellbahn 2.0 in the Tyrolean ski area of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
Source: dpa-tmn
* The new Sonnkoglbahn on the edge of the Kitzbühel Alps combines eight-person gondolas and six-person chairlifts. In summer, the gondolas on the Schmittenhöhe near Zell am See are used to take hikers and families with strollers up the mountain. In winter, the armchairs (heated, with weather protection hood) are used so that holidaymakers can get up the mountain without taking off their skis.
The new Sonnkoglbahn on the Schmittenhöhe runs with chairs in winter – gondolas run in summer
Source: dpa-tmn
* In the Zillertal Arena, the Wilde Krimml X-Press is intended to make the connection between Zell am Ziller and Gerlos more convenient. Now you can go even faster from the Krimml-Alm to the so-called Transition Joch in ten-passenger gondolas with heated seats without stopping.
* The Schlick2000 ski area in the Stubaital is getting a new and extended connection above the Galtalm with the Galtbergbahn – previously there was a drag lift from 1961 here. Beginner skiers in particular should benefit from the 23 new ten-person gondolas.
* On the Arlberg, the Albonabahn I in Stuben has been upgraded. Instead of a double chairlift, there are now eight-person gondolas.
5. In South Tyrol, go down the mountain in a rail bobsled
Speed down the slope in rail bobsleighs: According to South Tyrolean tourism marketing, this fast-paced alternative to skiing is expected to be available in the Plose ski area near Brixen from December. The “Plosebob” is not the only innovation: a new cable car with ten-person cabins was opened in the summer and is now starting its first winter season.
Another piece of news from South Tyrol concerns the Ahrntal: The ten-seater “Sonnen” gondola lift runs in Klausberg and replaces a chairlift. There are also more than seven kilometers of new slopes.
6. A baby express for beginners in Trentino
The Paganella ski area near Trento is getting a new ten-person gondola lift – called “Babyexpress”. Appropriate, because the 395 meter short cable car runs along a blue beginner slope and is primarily intended to transport ski students. They can be happy because until now there was an outdated chair lift there – getting on and off such lifts is no fun, especially for beginners.
The Campiglio ski area is located in the heart of the Dolomites
Source: dpa-tmn
Also worth mentioning in Trentino is the new cable car in the Dolomites ski area of Campiglio, which leads from Prá Rodont to the summit. Its special feature: The railway is intended to blend in better with the environment through underground stations and a reduced number of supports.
7. More slopes for skiers in Špindlerův Mlýn
The largest ski area in the Czech Giant Mountains is being expanded: two new red slopes will be available from this winter as part of the planned merger of the parts of Špindlerův Mlýn. According to the Czech Tourism Board, new cable cars are also planned. Their start-up is loud Skiresort.de planned for 2026.
Two new red slopes were created in Špindlerův Mlýn in the Czech Republic over the year
Source: dpa-tmn
8. Chairlift innovations in Slovenia
When it comes to the Alps, Slovenia often goes under the radar. But investments are also being made in this country: a new, heated six-person chairlift is going into operation in the Rogla ski area near Maribor. It is intended to replace two facilities in the Mašin-Žaga Park that are over 40 years old, according to the tourism office. The ski area of Krvavec, Ljubljana’s local mountain, is also getting a new lift with heated seats.
9. Gondolas instead of climbing stairs at Mont Blanc
According to the tourism organization France Montagnes, there are a number of major innovations in the ski areas in the French Alps – such as the new glacier cable car in La Plagne and a new cable car in Valmorel.
More tips for winter holidays:
Particularly highlighted is the new La Mer de Clace connection in the Mont Blanc ski area. It leads from the winter sports resort of Chamonix at the end of the Montenvers cog railway to the highest mountain in the Alps. The new lift replaces the current more than 500 steps that freeriders have to climb up after making a deep snow descent from the Aiguille du Midi summit into the Vallée Blanche (White Valley) – a large glacier basin.
Pedestrians who want to go down to the glacier and the Grotte de Glace ice cave now have it easier thanks to the new cable car.
10. The first eight-person chairlift in Finland
The Finnish ski resort Ruka is located in the far north on the border with Russia – although it is only at an altitude of 492 meters, its location in the Arctic Circle ensures that it is cold enough.
The winter sports area will be expanded for the new season: According to the operators, the first eight-person chairlift in Finland will start. The system can transport up to 4,000 people per hour in the Masto area. There are also four new slopes available there.
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