Salzburg/Zermatt.
Heated seats are protected from wind and snow, making the ride more enjoyable than in a wheelchair or on a lift bar: European ski resorts are preparing to compete for holidaymakers.
More comfort, more capacity, more technology: In many alpine ski areas, more powerful systems are replacing previous, outdated ones. There are also some new slopes. And in Germany? There is a wonderful new building here: not in the Alps, but in the Fichtelgebirge.
According to the website “Skiresort.de” About 270 new systems will be in operation in ski areas around the world this winter – from beginner belts to large gondola lifts. Listing them all would fill a book. So, here’s a great selection – the top ten ski innovations in Europe:
1. Gondola to Ochsenkopf
Starting this winter, a new cable car will run up and down the north side of the mountain at Ochsenkopf (1,024 metres) in Fichtelgebirge in northern Bavaria. The 40th gondola with a capacity of 10 people is scheduled to start operating from December 22 (capacity: about 2,000 people/hour).
The energy needed for this is provided by our photovoltaic system. The cable car replaces the old two-seater cable car, whose seats will be given a second life as deck chairs in the mountain landscape, the Fichtelgebirge holiday area announced.
The gondola makes it easier for families with strollers and people with disabilities to ascend the mountain. The operation is planned all year round, in the summer for motorcyclists and hikers. Another cable car will follow on the south side of the mountain in the winter of 2024/2025.
2. Bridge the gap on the Matterhorn
Strictly speaking, it is not new because the cable car opened in the summer. But now winter holidaymakers also benefit from the closing of the gap between the ski areas of Zermatt in Switzerland’s Valais and Cervinia in Italy’s Aosta Valley via “Ride the Matterhorn Glacier II“.
Admittedly, moving between regions on skis is already possible. But in order to get from the border mountain station Testa Griggia (3480m) to the Matterhorn mountain station (3883m), previously holidaymakers had to first descend towards Zermatt to the Trückener Steeg (2939m) and then climb again. From there – now you can also go up directly from the Italian side.
In winter walkers and hikers benefit most. The total travel time on all trains from Zermatt to Cervinia is approximately one and a half hours.
3. Gondola taxis in Graubünden
Another exciting innovation in Switzerland: the commissioning of a gondola lift equipped with “Ropetaxi” technology at Flims Laax Valera in Graubünden. The system ensures that the gondola at the station moves autonomously with its own electric motor and can travel individually depending on the number of passengers, according to the mountain railway’s parent company.
After passengers choose their destination with the push of a button, they go to the desired mountain station without having to change trains. The switches at the stations ensure the flexible route of the cable car.
The starting signal for the first connections of “Flame Express“It is scheduled for mid-December – initially between Flims, Foppa, Foppa and Startgels. The Segnes, Nagens Sura and Cassons stations are scheduled to be connected by the end of 2024.
4. The cable car moves on the grounds of Salzburg
A gondola for eight people will be transported to the Ski Amadé Ski Association. Until now it has been used in Dorfgastein-Großarltal. Now it will be dismantled and rebuilt in Fageralm. A new, taller and stronger gondola lift will open in Dorfgastein this winter. It should rise to Keyserl (1953 AD).
A brief overview of other cable cars that have started operations in the Austrian Alps and are replacing older systems:
- the Cumberdalebahn 2.0 A new intermediate station will be opened in the Tyrolean ski area Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis – it can transport up to 3,000 people per hour.
- the new Sonkogelbahn On the edge of the Alps, Kitzbühel combines an eight-person gondola with a six-person chairlift. In summer, the gondola at Schmittenhhe near Zell am See is used to transport hikers and families with strollers up the mountain. In winter, armchairs (heated, with a cover to protect from the weather) are used so that vacationers can go up the mountain without taking off their skis.
- It should be in the Zillertal Arena Wild Krimml Express Make the connection between Zell am Ziller and Gerlos more convenient. You can now move faster from Krimml-Alm to the so-called Transition Joch in a ten-passenger gondola with heated seats without stopping.
- The Schlick2000 ski area in Stubaital gets Galtbergbahn A new and extended link above the Galtalm – a former traction lift from 1961 operated here. Beginner skiers in particular should take advantage of the 23 new ten-person gondolas.
- Am Arlberg is located in Stuben Albona Railway I Get a promotion. Instead of a double lift, there is now an eight-person gondola.
5. In South Tyrol, go down the mountain using a railway sled
Speed on the slope in railway bobsleds: According to South Tyrol’s tourism marketing, this fast-paced alternative to skiing is expected to be available at the Plose ski area near Brixen from December. the “Pluspop“ It’s not the only innovation: a new cable car with cabins for ten passengers opened in the summer and is now starting its first winter season.
There is more South Tyrol news from Ahrntal: it broadcasts in Klausberg Sonnen gondola accommodates ten people It replaces the wheelchair. There are also more than seven kilometers of new slopes.
6. Baby Express in Trentino
The Paganella ski area near Trento has just got a new ten-person gondola lift – called the ‘Babyexpress’. Convenient, because the short 395-meter cable car runs along a blue slope for beginners and is intended primarily for transporting ski students. They can be happy that until now there was an old elevator there – getting on and off these elevators is not fun, especially for beginners
.
Also worth noting in Trentino is the new cable car in the Dolomites ski area of Campiglio, which leads from Pra Rodonte to the summit. Its special feature: the railway aims to integrate better with the environment with subway stations and fewer supports.
7. More slopes at Špindlerův Mlýn
The largest ski area in the Czech Giant Mountains is currently being expanded: two new red slopes will be available from this winter as part of the planned merger of parts of Špindlerův Mlýn. According to the Czech Tourism Board, new cable cars are also planned. According to the Skiresort.de website, operations are scheduled to begin in 2026.
8. Slovenian wheelchair innovations
When it comes to the Alps, Slovenia often flies under the radar. But investments are also being made in this country: a new, heated chairlift with capacity for six people will be put into operation in the Rugla ski area near Maribor. It is set to replace two facilities in Masenzaga Park that are more than 40 years old, according to the tourism office. Krvavec Ski Area, Ljubljana’s local mountain, also got a new lift with heated seats.
9. Gondola instead of climbing stairs on Mount Blanc
According to tourism organization France Montagnes, there are a number of major innovations in ski areas in the French Alps – such as the new glacier cable car in La Plagne and the new cable car in Valmorel.
A special highlight was the new La Mer de Clace link in the Mont Blanc ski area. It leads from the winter sports resort of Chamonix at the end of the Monteverde cog railway to the highest mountain in the Alps. The new lift replaces the current more than 500 steps that free riders have to climb after the deep snow descent from the summit of the Aigli du Midi to the Vallée Blanche (White Valley) – a large glacial basin.
It is now easier for walkers who want to descend to the glacier and the Grotte de Glace ice cave thanks to the new cable car.
10. Finland top eight
Finland’s northernmost ski resort, Ruka, lies on the border with Russia – and although it’s only 492 meters high, its location in the Arctic Circle ensures it’s cold enough.
The winter sports area will be expanded for the new season: according to operators, the first eight-person chairlift in Finland will start running. The system can transport up to 4,000 people per hour in the Masto area. There are also four new ramps available there. (dpa)
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