CABLE CARS INTERNATIONAL
As THE go to trade journal for all topics related to the cable car business, alpine management and tourism, SI Magazine offers an excellent source of information for decision makers operating within the winter sports industry. We will keep you up to date on all things related to ropeways and mountain railways in Austria. Additionally, we’ll take a close look at important current issues affecting this area of commerce, such as crucial information on environmental topics and the sustainability of cable cars. Our goal is to cover all important areas of the ropeway industry and to offer you a single, reliable source of information. Let us inspire you to new ideas!
No Japow: Is Japan losing its powder snow?
A Japanese study dramatically highlights the impact of climate change on winter sports: If global average temperatures rise by four degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, only seven out of 349 ski resorts in Japan are expected to operate entirely on natural snow. According to researchers, merely 26 additional resorts would still be able to open at least parts of their slopes.
Czech Republic: Ski resort upgrades
New cable car, new slopes, new identity: The Czech ski resort of Å pindlerův Mlýn is connecting its MedvÄ›dÃn and Svatý Petr areas directly for the first time. Initially, the new link will only be accessible in one direction – the full bidirectional connection will follow in 2027. Additional innovations are also being introduced.
When do snowmakers actually run?
For the first time, TechnoAlpin evaluated anonymized operational data from 13,129 snowmakers across 112 Austrian ski resorts. The result: during the 2025/26 winter season, the systems were in operation for an average of 169 hours. Forty percent of the total snow produced was generated in just six days during November – the brief window in which the base snow layer for the season was established.
Inauen-Schätti: Avalanche protection is revenue protection
Not only cable cars, but also avalanche protection systems must operate reliably to guarantee uninterrupted ski resort operations. The Bergbahnen Sölden (Austria) therefore rely on equipment and services from Inauen-Schätti, with infrastructure upgrades currently underway.
Gondola with a Whirlpool: The Idea and Technical Design
A gondola as a floating spa experience: What initially sounds very unusual would actually be technically feasible according to Paul Demschar from the Montanuniversität Leoben - and could become an exclusive added feature for select destinations. By smartly separating stationary water treatment from mobile bathing technology, he safely brings whirlpools to the rope. An inside look at the concept and its implementation.
Vietnam: Two funiculars serve the highest montain
Garaventa has completed two new funiculars on Indochina’s highest mountain, Fansipan in Vietnam. The installations expand the existing access to the summit area and improve visitor flow between the various attractions.
Motorex: The secret to flawless operations
Maintaining year-round cable car operations in the heart of the Alps is a big challenge. At Ski Juwel‘s Schatzbergbahn cable car, the team relies on a state-of-the-art snow groomer orkshop, decades of expertise, and green energy to keep the resort moving.
Georgia: Ski resort on the drawing board
The automotive group Tegeta plans to build a mountain destination in Georgia. The Sairme Mountain Resort will encompass three locations, with the planned Lamazgora ski area set to be developed across five distinct phases.
Interalpin: Expanding its global network
Following a dynamic spring – highlighted by City Cable Car Solutions 3CS at Mountain Planet in Grenoble and a showcase at the NSAA Convention in California – preparations for Interalpin 2027 are in full swing. From April 20 to 23, the industry will gather once again at Messe Innsbruck.
Kissling: Early gearbox damage detection
Whether a ropeway gearbox is overhauled in time or fails unexpectedly depends entirely on the condition assessment. To achieve this, Kissling combines four mutually complementary methods.
Cable car model finds a home
A desperate plea reached the SI editorial team a year ago. The 1:10 scale Fischertechnik cable car had lost its shelter and was urgently seeking a new home. The world’s largest and most complex Fischertechnik model was facing complete shutdown - and with it, a project into which 30 volunteers had invested thousands of work hours. But now, there is good news.
Télé-Villars and Kässbohrer: Mutually beneficial partnership
How does a ski resort pave the way toward a more sustainable and efficient future alongside its technology partners? Together with Kässbohrer, the Swiss destination of Villars-sur-Ollon demonstrates how such a partnership of equals works – and what concrete steps result from it.