New Gifthittli Chairlift To Offer State-Of-The-Art Technology
Construction of the new Gifthittli chairlift is in full swing. A number of work still needs to be completed before commissioning, ensuring that the latest-generation Leitner eight-seater chairlift can open in time for the start of the 2025/26 winter season. The new facility offers our guests additional comfort, improved efficiency, and optimized operations.
Work on the new facility is progressing. The control rooms, the low-voltage rooms, and the ancillary rooms in the garage are complete, as are the parapets. The erection of the garage building and the garage hall has also been completed. At the same time, the track was aligned and adjusted. A significant milestone was the insertion of the haulage cable and the subsequent splicing of the cable ends, whereby the cable ends were connected to form a continuous cable loop. In addition to the ongoing installation of the electrical cabling in the stations and the railway infrastructure, the electromechanical equipment for the garage is currently being installed. The eight-seater chairs will then be assembled and parked in the garage hall until Leitner completes their electrical and mechanical commissioning. The final step will be the official acceptance by the Federal Office of Transport, which will officially open the new facility for public operation.
In terms of sustainability, the new facility is another showcase project for Zermatt Bergbahnen. Particular attention was paid to the design of the staff infrastructure, thus taking social sustainability into account. An additional structure is being built on top of the garage with office space, a kitchen with a lounge, a rescue station, and sanitary facilities. The garage also offers sufficient space for the storage of piste-grooming equipment. Furthermore, in the interest of ecological sustainability, solar panels were installed at the stations to generate sustainable energy, and the impact on nature was minimized. In terms of economic sustainability, there are also significant savings in the consumption of materials and resources. For example, part of the existing support foundations could be reused for the new supports.
The cable car is equipped with the Directdrive drive and Leitcontrol control system, the latest technology from Leitner. What does this mean?
ZBAG has defined seven cornerstones in its strategy. The Directdrive drive system corresponds to the cornerstone of environment and sustainability, while the Leitcontrol control system corresponds to the cornerstone of digitalization and automation.
The Directdrive drive is a gearless permanent magnet motor that enables virtually silent operation with minimal maintenance. Unlike conventional drives, lubricants such as gear oil are completely eliminated.
Leitcontrol simplifies workflows and supports employees with fully automated processes that previously had to be activated or deactivated step by step via the control system. The control system visualization is also user-friendly and easy to interpret, making railway operations even more efficient and safer.
The chairlift transports around 1.2 million passengers per winter season, making it the busiest lift in Zermatt Bergbahnen. What is the significance of the Gifthittli chairlift in the Matterhorn Ski Paradise?
Along with the Riffelberg Express, the chairlift plays a key role in connecting the south, central, and north sections. The facility represents a significant asset to the ski area, serving as a central link between the various areas. In the "Central" area, it is the only activity facility and provides access to four diverse slopes, offering guests a diverse skiing experience.
The new facility offers additional comfort, improved efficiency, and optimized operations. What specific improvements and benefits does the new Gifthittli chairlift offer?
Compared to the previous chairlift, we paid special attention to the boarding area. Boarding is now directly in the direction of travel of the chairlift, rather than at a 90-degree angle. This gives all passengers sufficient time to line up in front of the chairlift. Furthermore, the queueing area in front of the lift has been enlarged, and the queueing area is now better separated from the slope. This redesign benefits not only guests but also our employees. Visibility into the boarding area is improved, significantly increasing safety during boarding.
In addition, with 75 chairs, eight seats per chair, and a maximum speed of 6 m/s, the cable car achieves a capacity of approximately 3,400 passengers per hour, which represents a slight increase over the old system. In addition to the increased capacity, the improved ride comfort also ensures a unique experience. Each chair is equipped with a weatherproof hood, ensuring an unforgettable ride in fine or stormy weather.
