Doppelmayr Installs New Chairlift In Bellwald Powered By Solar Energy

In Bellwald in Switzerland, a new D-Line chairlift has gone into operation on time for the start of the winter season. A significant proportion of the energy required to power the bottom station is covered by the photovoltaic installation fitted to the station’s roof and facade.

December 17 saw the official opening ceremony for the 6-seater chairlift Bellwald Gassen-Richinen at Switzerland’s Bellwald ski resort. The new ropeway installation belonging to the D-Line generation replaces a detachable double chairlift. With the modern successor lift, guests reach the slopes, bike trails and hiking paths in significantly less time as well as with enhanced comfort.

An eye-catcher on the new chairlift is the large photovoltaic installation on the roof and facade of the bottom station. The operators Bellwald Sportbahnen expect to generate 155 MWh annually with this system. The solar energy obtained will be used to power the bottom station, the parking facility and the workshop for trail-grooming vehicles as well as the general premises.

Fit for year-round use

Equipped with bubbles, the new chairlift provides ride comfort in all weather conditions. In the summer, it brings hikers and day-trippers up the mountain and serves as a feeder to the bike park. Bike carriers are used for this purpose. Handling is entirely straightforward: The riders attach their bikes themselves and travel behind their bikes on the next chair. At the top station, the bikes are removed with a flick of the wrist. Thanks to the installed comfort stops in the stations, this is performed with stationary carriers, which makes bike loading and unloading particularly simple. Each carrier can transport three bikes plus one other piece of sports equipment such as a mountain cart or monster scooter.