For the upcoming winter season, LEITNER ropeways is building two gondola lift projects in the renowned ski resorts of Wildkogel-Arena and Hochficht. The projects are not just about significantly increasing the passenger capacity, they will also expand the skiable area. As a result, the two regions will offer even more comfort, safety and skiing fun from winter 2017/18 on.
LEITNER ropeways and the Salzburg ski resort Wildkogel-Arena already have a long tradition of working together. For example, the “Pfeifferköpflbahn” chairlift was the first in Austria to be equipped with the LEITNER control system. The new project, the “Ganzeralpe” 10-passenger gondola lift, will run on the same route as the existing chairlift to the top station at an elevation of 2,128 meters, substantially increasing capacity in the heart of the ski resort. That is particularly important as the ski lessons are held there. As a result, the 13 million Euro project with a transport capacity of 2,840 passengers per hour will put an end to the waiting times guests previously had to endure. Along with the construction of Ganzeralpe gondola lift, roughly 2,200 meters of skiable area is being added, covering a surface of approximately five hectares, as well as a ski route connection from the Pfeifferköpflabfahrt slope to the new valley station at an elevation of 1,726 meters. Rudolf Göstl, Executive Director of the Oberpinzgauer Fremdenverkehrsförderungs- und Bergbahnen AG, sees the project both as a major increase in quality and the continuation of a proven partnership: “We both already work very well together, and we have a lot of faith in LEITNER ropeways products!” The key reasons Göstl mentions for this are the great value for money and the unique LEITNER DirectDrive. Added to this is the good service and after-sales support, as well as the professional implementation and rapid response to individual requirements.”
10-passenger gondola lift on Hochficht adds even more quality
The Upper Austrian ski resort of Hochficht in the border triangle of Austria, Germany and Czechia will also open a new 10-passenger gondola lift by LEITNER ropeways from the 2017/18 winter season on – the “Reischlbergbahn”. It will transports a maximum of 2,800 passengers per hour to the top station at an elevation of 1,274 meters in two sections. This will also result in numerous changes with a positive effect on operations. In particular the children taking part in ski lessons will benefit from the new midway station at the “Überlebenshütte”, which also houses a roofed magic carpet and the Kinderland kids park.
The LEITNER DirectDrive will also be installed in the midway station. From there, the two ropeway sections will be driven by a double-grooved drive sheave, with the two rope loops tensioned separately in the valley and top stations. The Reischlbergbahn will also link two sections of the ski resort with one another, providing an important connection.
In addition, the skiable area will be increased by enlarging the Wenzelwiese slope. Overall, the ropeway will replace three surface lifts and a bar lift, fulfilling their function completely. The construction work is particularly environmentally friendly, as the center lines will largely be built in the existing slope area, minimizing the need for deforestation.