Last Chairlift Journey From Flims To Naraus Is Imminent

The almost 80-year history of the chairlifts from Flims to Foppa and on to Naraus is coming to an end. On Sunday, March 26, 2023, guests and locals can drive towards Naraus for the last time. The lift will be dismantled in the spring so that construction work on the new FlemXpress gondola lift can proceed as planned. With Daniel Conrad and Conni Lerchi we take a look back at the history of the railways.

Full of anticipation, kids run past the LAAX School office in Flims. They carry skis on their shoulders, which they soon buckle up. They take the chairlift from Flims in the direction of Foppa to Naraus. Meanwhile, Conrad Lerchi and Daniel Conrad sit down in the Caffè Flims. Conrad Lerchi, better known as Conni, has been employed by the Weisse Arena Group for 16 years. He works as a personnel dispatcher for the mountain railways. Daniel Conrad, known as "Coruba", has been with the local ski school for over 40 years. The two know the chairlifts from Flims to Foppa to Naraus like the back of their hand. They have spent a number of trips on it.

A long era is coming to an end

Now the nearly 80-year history of chairlifts is coming to an end. This also raises some sadness. "I learned to ski on this slope as a child, was there in the Flims ski club - I associate a lot of childhood memories with it," says Coruba. At that time there were three slopes, "in the winter we practically lived there," he explains. In the past, the people of Flims only went skiing at higher altitudes in the direction of Nagens and La Siala in the spring, when the snow was no longer so good.

The Flims-Foppa-Naraus chairlifts are not only important to the two gentlemen, but to the entire population of Flims. "This chairlift used to be the lifeblood of Flims," ​​says Conni. "It's also a summer railway, you can go biking and hiking," he explains. In Flims, summer remained the main season until the early 1970s thanks to Lake Cauma and the Flims Forest. There was a Foppa Chilbi, a Naraus Chilbi - all attractions and memories shared by many. "Such occasions were very popular with the guests but also with the locals," says Conni.

Innovative FlemXpress replaces the chairlifts

The chairlift from Flims Dorf to Foppa was built in 1945 by the then Bergbahnen Flims. It was the world's first detachable chairlift. In 1947 the railway was extended by a second section to Naraus. The tracks were replaced in 1986 and 1989. With the new FlemXpress, a pioneering project is once again being implemented, whereby the history of innovation in chairlifts continues and the melancholy gives way to anticipation.

With the FlemXpress, the UNSESCO World Natural Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona can be accessed from Flims via Foppa, Startgels to the Segneshütte and from there either to Nagens or Cassons. The FlemXpress is the world's first cable car that works according to the so-called rope taxi system. The gondolas operate according to the individual wishes of the passengers: Before boarding, the destination can be selected at the push of a button. The selection before boarding enables an unhindered journey directly to the destination without having to change trains.

"Something cool is coming with the FlemXpress and we're really looking forward to it," says Conni. The snow sports instructors are also looking forward to the new track, says Coruba: “We are happy with the new solution. You can easily board the gondola with all ski school classes. In addition, the development opens up many new possibilities.” «We are happy with the new solution. You can easily board the gondola with all ski school classes. In addition, the development opens up many new possibilities.” 

Farewell party for the chairlifts on March 26, 2023

On Sunday, March 26, 2023, the trains will run for the last time. They are said goodbye at a party with locals, second-natives, guests and employees. Tickets for the chairlifts are free for the "Last Ride" event. The festival is in the «Ustria Naraus». An inventory auction is held in the Legna Bar, with armchairs, pictures and other memorabilia being auctioned off. Conni already has an old armchair in the garden. With Coruba, on the other hand, there would still be room: "I would also take a nice Foppa armchair as a souvenir of the good time," he says with a smile on his face.