KitzSki: Two New 6-Seater Chairlifts Gauxjoch And Trattenbach Go Into Operation
As part of a grand opening ceremony on December 16th, the two new 6-seater chairlifts from Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel started the 2023/24 winter season on time. Within just six months, KitzSki replaced the Trattenbach triple chairlift and the Gauxjoch drag lift from the 1980s with two chairlifts that represent the most modern and sustainable cable car technology in the world. “The two new lifts combine maximum comfort, first-class quality and our claim to implement sustainable solutions. We have invested 23 million euros and are thus improving the central connection between the core ski area of Kitzbühel, Kirchberg and Pengelstein and the Resterhöhe,” says CEO Mag. Anton Bodner.
“Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel continues to pursue the path taken towards modernizing the lift systems. The high quality standards are the motivation to take part in the concert of the best ski areas in the world,” says Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Mayor of the City of Kitzbühel Dr. Klaus Winkler up.
The most modern and sustainable cable car technology
The new 6-seater chairlifts in the municipality of Jochberg have been equipped with premium seats, intelligent seat heating and a slightly tinted weather protection hood for the highest level of ride comfort. The speed and conveying capacity of the systems could be doubled with the new building. Thanks to a capacity of 2,400 people per hour, there are no longer any waiting times, even at peak times in high season.
Intelligent energy management
In order to operate the two railways as sustainably as possible, the stations were covered with photovoltaic systems - an international pioneering project. Part of the energy required can now be produced using the power of the sun. In addition, KitzSki relies on the LEITNER EcoDrive system, which is being used for the first time in Austria. Automatic, adaptive speed control for cable cars saves up to 20 percent energy. A camera system records the number of guests waiting at the stations and regulates the speed of the trains on this basis. The “Intelligent Heat Detector System (IHD)” developed by employees of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel and implemented by LEITNER only heats the seat surfaces of the chairs when they are actually used by a person. The sustainable seat heating works using heat sensors and a utilization control at the access barriers.
“By using innovative and sustainable products, such as those used here for the first time in Kitzbühel, we want to make a valuable contribution to future alpine mobility together with our long-standing premium partner. In doing so, we take responsibility for our environment and continue to work closely with cable car operators worldwide to optimize existing products and develop new solutions,” explains Martin Leitner, CEO of LEITNER.
Opening on time thanks to numerous strong partners
“The planning and implementation of two such innovative projects in the Alpine region was only possible thanks to the great commitment of our employees and the first-class cooperation of many specialized partners. Our special thanks go to all of you,” emphasizes Mag. Christian Wörister, CEO of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel. In addition to the LEITNER company and the numerous experts who accompanied the project, HV-Bau and Bodner Bau, the assembly company Klaunzer Peter GmbH and the Sitour company, among others, particularly stood out. “We are very pleased that we were able to expand our digital information system together with the Sitour company and thus make another important contribution to the safety of our guests from all over the world,” adds Wörister.
