Italian Ski Resorts Launch New Cable Cars From LEITNER
This winter, eight Italian ski resorts are relying on the latest cable car technology from the South Tyrolean manufacturer LEITNER. Whether as upgrades to existing systems or in the form of new lifts: the investment offensive ensures a new level of comfort, safety and energy efficiency everywhere. Italy's top destinations are thus also setting a strong example for sustainable operation and the optimal use of materials and energy. The fact that all new chairlifts and gondolas are equipped with the resource-saving and maintenance-friendly LEITNER DirectDrive also contributes to this.
"The modernization of the ski resorts in Italy is progressing intensively. We are all the more pleased to be an indispensable part of this development and to be able to contribute our extensive research and technology expertise to several projects," says Martin Leitner, CEO of Leitner AG.
One of these projects is the "CD6 Steinermandl", which halves the travel time for winter sports enthusiasts in the Gitschberg Jochtal ski area on the existing route of the former 4-seater chairlift to the highest point at over 2,100 meters. The new system, including chairs with weather protection hoods, individual footrests, premium upholstery and seat heating, was designed with station cladding in Pininfarina design and, in addition to the various slopes, also provides access to the newly built fun park in the Jochtal, including the SkiMovie track. At the same time, the system is a technological premiere in Italy: The "CD6 Steinermandl" is the first chairlift in the country to be equipped with LEITNER's LeitPilot technology for automated monitoring and control of the entry and exit area. The solution, based on AI-supported recognition software, is currently being used and tested to support manual station maintenance.
New facilities in Pila and Cervinia: LEITNER provides innovative modernizations in the Aosta Valley
In the Pila ski area above Aosta, the focus is on implementing a continuous cable car connection from the town to the ski area. The visionary solution is based on two new 10-seater gondola lifts that lead from Pila via the middle station in the Gorraz area and the Couis mountain station to the Stella del Couis hut at over 2,700 meters above sea level. While construction of the cable car from Pila will start next year, the upper section from Couis is already in operation in the form of the new "GD10 Couis-Platta" gondola lift. The system is equipped with Premium Diamond EVO cabins and has an hourly transport capacity of 2,400 people at a speed of six meters per second. Together with the 8-seater gondola lifts from Aosta to Pila, passengers can overcome a height difference of over 2,100 meters over a total length of more than 8.5 kilometers in around 30 minutes with the two new 10-seater gondola lifts.
Also in the Aosta Valley, in Cervinia, LEITNER carried out another important cable car modernization. In the Matterhorn Ski Paradise, one of the largest ski areas in the world, the proven collaboration between the Cervinia ski area and LEITNER continues in the form of the detachable 6-seater chairlift "CD6C Lago Goillet". It was not until 2023 that the realization of the highest Alpine crossing by cable car between Zermatt and Cervinia was successfully completed by the two Matterhorn Glacier Ride 3S lifts. The new system is equipped with chairs with weather protection hoods, individual footrests, seat heating and comfortable upholstery. Up to 2,400 people can be transported per hour at a travel speed of five meters per second.
Skiing fun in the Dolomites thanks to new LEITNER lifts at the highest level
A new LEITNER system is also being used in the Three Peaks Dolomites ski area, with a unique panoramic view from the Stiergarten mountain station. As a replacement for an existing platter lift, the new detachable 6-seater chairlift "CD6C Porzen" offers a new generation of comfort thanks to weather protection hoods, individual footrests, premium upholstery and heated seats. The upgrade of the cable car technology in the winter sports area around Sexten benefits all fans of the varied area - whether as a child letting off steam on the kids ski cross course, as a non-skier tobogganing and snowshoeing, or as a passionate winter sports enthusiast on the "Grande Giro delle Cime" ski adventure trip. The system has 57 Premium EVO chairs and transports up to 2,200 people per hour.
The San Martino di Castrozza ski area is located in the middle of the Dolomites with a view of the imposing Pala group. The new 10-seater gondola lift "GD10 Valcigolera" was built here to replace a 2-seater chairlift. This connects the hut of the same name with the Cima Tognola and reduces the travel time to the summit at almost 2,400 meters from ten to three and a half minutes. The cable car, which is powered by renewable energy, is therefore particularly efficient and is one of a total of four LEITNER systems that have been built in the ski area over the past ten years. Up to 1,500 people per hour can be transported in the modern gondolas along the 1,300-meter-long route over 467 meters in altitude.
In the Arabba/Marmolada ski area, part of the famous "Sellaronda" ski circuit, the detachable 6-seater chairlift "CD6 Antercëp" replaces a 2-seater chairlift that is over 40 years old. The 29 chairs have individual footrests and comfortable padding and currently transport up to 1,800 people per hour. The new facility thus provides a real boost in quality for the ride up the Passo Padon with breathtaking views of the Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites.
The legendary winter sports resort of Alta Badia is also part of the “Sellaronda”. Here, along the route of a facility that is over 30 years old, the new detachable 6-seater chairlift “CD6 Braia Fraida” ensures fast and comfortable transport. Whether for beginners on the gentle hills between Piz Sorega and Monte Cherz or for the more daring on the Gran Risa World Cup slope: Ski fans of all levels can count on comprehensive innovations such as premium upholstery, individual footrests and seat heating when riding on the new 6-seater chairlift. The facility, which is also equipped for bike transport in summer, has 70 Premium EVO chairs that can transport up to 2,800 people per hour along the 1,200-meter-long route.
A new platter lift began operating this season in Carezza on the Karerpass. The facility near the golf club replaces a facility of the same type built in 1995 and now offers modern, state-of-the-art technology.
