Leitner/bartholet Receives Order From Gstaad

Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG (BDG) is pleased to announce that Leitner/Bartholet has been awarded the contract for the three cable cars that were put out to tender, beating off competition from Doppelmayr/Garaventa and the MND Group.

In January 2024, the tendering process for the cable car systems was started, divided into three lots. Lot 1 includes the 10-seater Schönried-Horneggli Hornberg gondola lift, consisting of two sections with an intermediate station. Lot 2 includes a 6-seater Saanenwald-Horeflue chairlift, and Lot 3 includes a 6-seater Gfell-Horeflue chairlift. After a multi-stage negotiation process, the decision was made and the contract for the cable car technology was awarded to Leitner/Bartholet. Bartholet's products are manufactured in Flums, Switzerland. Both companies belong to the HTI Group.

"This is a milestone for our generational project. The completed contract award provides planning security and enables the start of the planning approval process," said Matthias In-Albon, CEO of Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG. "Their advanced technology and innovative strength are the technical foundation for our major project. We are convinced that in Leitner/Bartholet we have found a partner who can fully meet our needs with high-quality technical solutions."

Pininfarina gondolas

The modern design of the gondolas for the Schönried-Horneggli-Hornberg gondola lift was developed by the well-known Italian design studio Pininfarina. In addition to the attractive design, the gondolas also offer a high level of comfort, giving guests a pleasant experience from the moment they get in to the moment they leave the cabin. The special features include a wider entrance, a maximum all-round view thanks to panoramic glazing that reaches up to the ceiling, thus providing a special ride experience.

Building on tradition

The region's first tourism associations were founded in 1906 in Saanenland. The first ski lift was built in 1935 and the region has continued to develop ever since. The new cable cars will help to continue this history while taking a modern and forward-looking approach.

Further action

The second preliminary examination by the canton is currently pending before the development plan can be made available to the public. Once the development plan has been made available, the cable car manufacturer, civil engineer and architectural firm will begin preparing the planning approval documents.

• Lot/Cableway 1 : The existing Horneggli chairlift (built in 1984) has reached the end of its product life. After 40 years, spare parts are no longer available. The BDG is taking this as an opportunity to replace this infrastructure and further develop the associated tourist offer.
• Lot/Lane 2 : In view of the desired intensification and concentration of summer and winter use in the Hornberg basin and due to the need for total renovation of the current Hornberg chairlift (built in 1986), the BDG also plans to build a replacement facility here in the coming years that will meet the changed usage requirements and tourist offerings.
• Lot/Lane 3 : In order to make winter tourism on the snow-sure Hornfluh even more attractive, the development of the Gfell with a new facility is planned, which will connect the existing ski slope even better.