Leitner Begins Construction Of The New Larchkogelbahn In Schladming

The Lärchkogelbahn is a central intersection in the ski resort of Planai & Hochwurzen in Schladming (AT). After 26 years of operation the existing 4-seater chairlift will be replaced by a modern 8-seater chairlift made by LEITNER ropeways3in time for the coming winter season.

As a result, there will be a comfortable link between the three main departure points at Kraiterabfahrt, Lärchkogelabfahrt and the WM take-off point. Enthusiasts can already get a virtual glimpse of the future project on the Planai.

Greater comfort, shorter waiting times, greater capacity: The new Lärchkogelbahn will greatly improve skiing operations on the Planai. The new chairlift at the summit area with 61 Premium Chairs EVO including heated seats and a weather protection bubbles, with a length of c. 1,200 metres, covers a height difference of more than 400 metres in 3 min 43 s. In view of the marked increase in capacity from 2,030 to 3,500 persons per hour, the operators are also investing in the expansion of the “Kraiterabfahrt” piste.

Pininfarina design combined with classic Planai look New station buildings designed by Pininfarina will form the future entrances and exits, which will be decorated in the well-known Planai colours. The two stations are not only an architectural enhancement, but also bring practical advantages in daily operation. Thus the clearly broader station roof provides better protection against snow, complete covering of the chairs and thereby greater comfort when entering and leaving. The new ropeways will be equipped with LEITNER DirectDrive.

The central location of the chairlift at the ski resort has provided a particularly high passenger volume - since 1994 the existing 4-seater chairlift has transported over 25 million visitors and was to date one of the most used ropeways in the 4-Mountain Ski Area Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen and Reiteralm. For the operators, a future increase in capacity and transport quality was therefore equally important. Thanks to the new system, this will become reality from the coming winter season.

An animated video implemented jointly by LEITNER ropeways and Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen GmbH allows enthusiasts to get a glimpse of the new generation of ropeways that will be there in only a few months.

CD8C Lärchkogelbahn: