Schilthorn Summit Is Accessible To Everyone Again
After a five-month break, the Schilthorn – Piz Gloria cable car is accessible again. The first lane of the two new Funifor cable cars will begin operating. The 360° Restaurant and the Top Shop will also reopen. Construction work is currently ongoing alongside guest operations. The major SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX project will be completed in spring 2026 with the commissioning of the second lane from Birg to Schilthorn.
Almost exactly two years ago, on March 6, 2023, the final ride and subsequent dismantling of the former "Käthi" cable car marked the start of the gigantic SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX project. Since then, not a single stone has been left unturned, from the valley station to the summit: three new masts were erected at sometimes dizzying heights, cable cars and stations were demolished in dusty procedures, and rebuilt in all weather conditions and on sometimes long days – all while the hotel was still open to visitors. Only on the Schilthorn did the limited space make it impossible to separate the construction site from the flow of visitors. For this reason, the revolving restaurant was quickly converted into a construction site hotel in mid-October 2024, accommodating around 15-25 construction workers each week over the winter months. In mid-February, the temporary accommodation was dismantled, and the building was transformed into the familiar restaurant in good time.
Reopening of the Schilthorn on Saturday, March 15, 2025
From Saturday, March 15, 2025, the first track of the new Funifor cable car between Birg and Schilthorn will begin operating, meaning the summit building, including its restaurants and Top Shop, will once again be accessible to guests. "For us, this is another important milestone in the project following the opening of the world's steepest cable car last December," says a delighted Christoph Egger, Director of Schilthornbahn AG. "Over the past few months, we've once again realized how important it is for our guests to be able to travel all the way to the top, and we're delighted that we can now offer this again. So it's worth taking one last trip up on skis or on foot before the end of the season to take a look at the new features. It's very exciting; I highly recommend it," says Egger, who is eager to find out more. There will be no more operational restrictions in the future. "From now on, the Schilthorn summit will be accessible 365 days a year," Egger says, looking ahead. In fact, independent operation of the two lanes between Mürren and Birg, and between Birg and Schilthorn, allows for operation without maintenance breaks. During maintenance, one lane is closed, while the other can continue operating. During normal operation, the two lanes are electrically coupled, and the cable car operates as a "classic" aerial tramway.
Construction work continues in parallel
However, this second track still needs to be built. "Even though we're opening the summit, that doesn't mean the construction work is over," Egger emphasizes. After Easter in April, the old aerial tramway between Mürren and Birg, which ran alongside the new cable car during the winter season due to capacity constraints, will be demolished. Construction of the second track will begin immediately afterward, so that by the end of November 2025, just in time for the next winter season, both tracks will be in operation, with their wind-resistant cabins designed for 100 people each.
Project completion in spring 2026
Construction work on the Schilthorn will also continue seamlessly after the reopening. In addition to the cable car station for the second track, Birg-Schilthorn, the new octagon also needs to be completed. A large hole still exists where the new cable car will once enter and exit. The new building will be gradually completed, additional space for guests will be created, and the catering and retail offerings will be further expanded. By July 2025, however, construction work will be sufficiently advanced that restrictions for guests will be minimal, and the new interior spaces and the expanded terrace will be largely available for use. All schedules should be met or even exceeded. This is absolutely impressive, considering that the construction sites, with their difficult logistics and exposure to wind and weather, presented everyone involved with extremely significant challenges! Egger emphasizes: "We have very good partners who are extremely committed and flexible. Whenever we fell behind, we were able to work together to define and implement suitable acceleration measures. But without the tremendous commitment of the employees of these companies – and our own team – this would not be possible." Completion of all construction work is scheduled for spring 2026 – in one year. Roughly summarized: Two-thirds are complete. One-third and further challenges still lie ahead before normal daily life can return to normal on the Schilthorn.
