GONDOLAS

From New Builds to Relocations and Renovations

For the three new 8-person gondola lifts, each follows a different approach. The Almbahn at Katschberg (Carinthia) is a classic new installation — it replaces the previous 3-person chairlift after around 40 years.

The lift was built with a focus on ecological building materials and the reuse of existing system components. It is much more wind-resistant and offers significantly greater comfort than its predecessor.

The new 8 MGD Fageralmbahn in Forstau, on the other hand, has already had a first life: the lift was purchased used from the Großarltal ski area, where it operated as the Hochbrand gondola until 2023. In Forstau, it now replaces the two double chairlifts from the valley to the ski area, cutting travel time by half.

The Rosenalmbahn in Zell (Tyrol) underwent a retrofit. Both sections received barrier-free boarding, state-of-the-art 8-person cabins, and a completely renewed control and electronic system.

Gondola Lift’s Third Life

Among the new 10-person gondola lifts, the installation in Kappl (Tyrol) stands out. The Diasbahn previously operated at the Floriade Expo 2022 in Almere (Netherlands) and at the Bundesgartenschau 2023 in Mannheim (Germany). Now it will significantly reduce waiting times in the ski area.

Brand new, however, is the Gartnerkofelbahn at Nassfeld (Carinthia). Fifty-five cabins transport 2,620 guests per hour—and can operate at night if needed. In summer, each cabin can also carry three bikes.

Also coming directly from the factory is the Loischkopfbahn in Brandnertal (Vorarlberg). The 10-person gondola lift not only replaces the previous chairlift of the same name but also the Einhornbahn II chairlift.

Lift as Part of a Larger Project

The Obere Karbahn II in Berwang (Tyrol) is part of a larger modernization project. It replaces the upper section of the Thanellerkar surface lift and connects to the first section, Obere Karbahn I, as well as the 6-person Thanellerbahn chairlift.

The construction extends existing slopes, as the new top station is located 140 meters higher. The mid-station of the Obere Karbahn and the valley station of Section II will house a new mountain restaurant.

The Schwarzwandbahn in Zauchensee (Salzburg) is being upgraded from a 4-person to a 10-person gondola. After almost 40 years, a completely new replacement system has been built, which will also transport pedestrians to the highest viewpoint on the Gamskogel. The lift’s capacity is increased by 35 percent to 2,300 people per hour.

A similar expansion is seen with the Senderbahn at Hauser Kaibling (Styria) up to the Planai. The new 10-person gondola replaces the 4-person chairlift of the same name and will operate autonomously. The roof of the top station doubles as a ski slope.

CHAIR LIFTS

New 8-Person Chairlifts Straight from the Factory

Also on the Planai, the new 8-person chairlift Mitterhauseralm I will operate this winter, replacing the previous 4-person Sonneck chairlift. With a capacity of 3,000 people per hour and a ride time of three minutes, waiting times are a thing of the past.

Sölden (Tyrol) installed two new lifts: the 4-person Silberbrünnl chairlift was modernized and replaced by a state-of-the-art 8-person chairlift with 83 chairs.

The new lift has a maximum capacity of 3,800 people per hour and a speed of 6 m/s. The ride takes approximately 5.3 minutes. Artificial intelligence is integrated into the lift to detect potential danger situations early, providing targeted support to the lift staff.

Another new 8-person chairlift with 59 chairs will take skiers to the slopes at the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers. The Einzeiger lift transports up to 4,000 people per hour and, at a speed of 6 m/s, the ride takes around 3.5 minutes.

Replaced Lifts Rebuilt as New

Ischgl is also starting the winter season with two new 8-person chairlifts: the Höllbodenbahn and the Sassgalurnbahn. Notably, both of the previous 6-person chairlifts are already operating elsewhere this season:

• The old Höllbodenbahn moved to the neighboring See ski area and now serves there as a 6-person chairlift family happiness, following the removal of the Rossmossbahn.
• The Sassgalurnbahn from Ischgl now operates as the Maiskopfbahn in Fieberbrunn. This 6-person chairlift replaces a surface lift. The construction of the Streuböden feeder lift in 2024 shifted traffic flows in the ski area, turning the Maiskopf lift into a central connection point and necessitating an upgrade.

The Dachstein West ski area (Salzburg/Upper Austria) also opted for second-hand lifts: the 6-person Jennerwiesen chairlift from Berchtesgaden was moved to the Riedlkaralm and now operates as the Angeralmbahn.

Previously, the area was served by the Anger surface lift and the fixed-grip 4-person Aussichtsberg chairlift. The latter was also replaced – but with a completely new lift. Both lifts now share a Y-shaped valley station.

Maintaining the Line — or Deviating

Also fresh from the factory is the new 6-person chairlift Bäreck at Steinplatte Waidring (Tyrol). It replaces the aging 4-person chairlift of the same name. The line remains identical, but the ride time is shortened and the capacity is slightly increased.

A different approach is seen with the new 6-person chairlift Hohes Licht in Damüls Mellau (Vorarlberg). It replaces the 2-person chairlift of the same name on an optimized line, offering nearly half the ride time, more comfort, and a significantly higher capacity.

SMALL LIFTS

A Countertrend to the Decline of T-bar lifts

Amid all the gondolas and chairlifts, it’s almost surprising when ski areas install new T-bar lifts. But it still happens – currently, for example, in Mitterland-Thiersee (Vorarlberg): the new Schneeberg combination lift is equipped with T-bars, platter lifts, and sled attachments. It was purchased used from SkiWelt Scheffau, where it operated as the Hochalmlift.

The Kaunertal Glacier, in contrast, goes against the trend of removing beginner lifts by deliberately equipping its beginner area with the Sonnenlift T-bar lift.

And there are conveyor belts too…

Last but not least, skiresort.at, on whose list this article is based, announces two new conveyor lifts for the 2025/2026 winter season: a 120-meter-long magic carpet was installed in Söll (Tyrol) and will transport 2,200 people per hour.

The See ski area (Tyrol) is also adding a new magic carpet – 150 meters long with a capacity of 1,500 people per hour. Both lifts are part of an impressive total of 25 new uphill facilities planned for the Alpine republic.