The new Gifthittli chairlift: state-of-the-art technology for the Matterhorn Ski Paradise

Work on the new chairlift is progressing. The control rooms, low-voltage rooms and ancillary rooms in the garage are complete, as are the parapets. The erection of the garage building and garage hall has also been completed. At the same time, the track has been aligned and adjusted. A particular milestone was the installation of the haul rope and the subsequent rope splice, whereby the rope ends were connected to form an endless rope loop. In addition to the ongoing installation of electrical cabling in the stations and the lift infrastructure, the electromechanical equipment for the garage is currently being installed. The eight-seater chairs will then be assembled and stored in the garage hall until Leitner carries out the electrical and mechanical commissioning. The final step will be the official approval by the Federal Office of Transport, which will officially open the new facility for public use. 

In terms of sustainability, the new lift is another showcase project for Zermatt Bergbahnen. Particular attention was paid to the planning of the infrastructure for staff, thereby taking social sustainability into account. An additional structure is being built on top of the garage, comprising office space, a kitchen with a staff room, a rescue room and sanitary facilities. The garage also offers sufficient space for storing slope equipment. Furthermore, in the interests of ecological sustainability, solar panels have been installed at the stations for sustainable energy production and the impact on nature has been reduced to a minimum. In terms of economic sustainability, there will also be significant savings in material and resource consumption. For example, some of the existing pillar foundations could be reused for the new pillars.

In a short interview, Fabian Imboden, Head of Technical Services North, gives us an insight into various aspects of the new lift. 

The lift is equipped with Directdrive technology and Leitcontrol control systems, the latest technology from Leitner. What does this mean?

ZBAG has defined seven cornerstones in its strategy. The Directdrive drive corresponds to the cornerstone of environment and sustainability, while the Leitcontrol control system corresponds to the cornerstone of digitalisation and automation.

The Directdrive drive is a gearless permanent magnet motor that enables virtually silent operation with minimal maintenance. Compared to conventional drives, it completely eliminates the need for lubricants such as gear oil.

Leitcontrol simplifies workflows and supports employees with fully automated processes that previously had to be activated or deactivated step by step via the control system. The control visualisation is also user-friendly and easy to interpret, making the operation of the railway even more efficient and safer.

The chairlift transports around 1.2 million passengers per winter season, making it the busiest installation operated by Zermatt Bergbahnen. What significance is attributed to the Gifthittli chairlift in the Matterhorn Ski Paradise?

Alongside the Riffelberg-Express, the chairlift plays a central role in connecting the southern, central and northern ski areas. This lift is a major asset to the ski area as it acts as a central link between the different areas. In the ‘centre’ area, it is the only lift and provides access to four varied slopes, offering guests a diverse skiing experience.

The new lift offers additional comfort, improved efficiency and optimised operating procedures. What specific improvements and advantages does the new Gifthittli chairlift offer?

Compared to the previous chairlift, we have paid particular attention to the boarding area. Boarding now takes place directly in the direction of travel of the chairlift and no longer at a 90-degree angle. This gives all passengers enough time to line up in front of the chair. In addition, the queueing area in front of the lift has been enlarged and the waiting area is now better separated from the slope. This redesign not only benefits guests, but also our employees. The view of the boarding area is improved, which significantly increases safety when boarding. 
In addition, with 75 chairs, eight seats per chair and a maximum speed of 6 m/s, the lift has a capacity of around 3,400 people per hour, which is a slight increase compared to the old system. In addition to the higher transport capacity, the improved ride comfort also ensures a special experience. Each chair is equipped with a weather protection hood, so that nothing stands in the way of an unforgettable ride in fine or stormy weather.