WIR 02/2018 [EN]

The Customer Magazine of the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group Issue 2/2018 43rd Year/No. 205
Reliable partner
to the ropeway
sector
Doppelmayr/Garaventa provides
support and representation when
dealing with authorities
The steepest
funicular railway
Engineering feat on the Stoos
Island connection
New 3S world record in Vietnam
136-FUL Stoos Funicular, Morschach (CHE)

2 Contents
6
All-round support for the ropeway sector
For Doppelmayr/Garaventa, customer service
goes beyond ropeway construction.
14
Capacity record for unmanned operation in France
The spectacular route into the French Alps has become faster and more
comfortable thanks to a new gondola lift in the ski resort Val Thorens.
25
New RopeCon ® systems in
South Africa
Installation has begun on two of the three
transport systems that will handle platinum ore
at the Booysendal mining concession.

Foreword
3
Thank you to our customers
When we cast a glance at our most recently accomplished
ropeways, one thing is quite clear:
We have professional and innovative customers
around the entire world. It is their wide range of
wishes, their technical affinity and their determination
to offer guests something new that enable us
to live out our passion for innovation and put our
many years of experience to the test.
The Stoos funicular with its level-adjusting cabins, a gondola lift in Val
Thorens incorporating an unmanned operation concept or a new world
record on Phú Quôc in Vietnam are just a few examples of innovative ropeway
projects that we have planned, built and opened in recent years and
months. The Schatzberg lift wows its guests and operating crew, and in
Andermatt comfort has also been writ large and taken to a whole new level.
Innovative funicular railway
11
The Stoos funicular in Switzerland is unique worldwide and
features an impressively innovative concept for the cars.
26
We consider it important not only to deliver a cutting-edge product but,
above and beyond that, to be a reliable partner to our customers. We support
them from the initial idea, through planning and development, the administrative
process with the authorities and organizational matters during
the project as well as after the ropeway installation has gone into service.
Our customer support is available worldwide 24/7/365. Our customers can
rely on a comprehensive portfolio of services for all things related to the
ropeway, information and tips for ropeway personnel and the appropriate
assistance when required.
Finally, our thanks are due to our 96 customers, who worked with the
Doppel mayr/Garaventa Group over the past year on the completion of
105 projects in 24 countries around the globe, and to all those who built
ropeways with us in the past or with whom we are working on new installations
for the future. Thank you for your commitment, your farsightedness
and your trust in Doppelmayr/Garaventa.
Michael Doppelmayr
CEO
The specialists from Switzerland
Garaventa is the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group’s
competence center for reversible aerial tramways,
funicular railways and custom ropeways.

4 Facts & Figures
Thanks go to 96 customers for 105 projects in 2017
Tricable gondola lifts
2
14
Surface lifts
1
Combination
Reversible aerial
lifts
Cable Liner
tramways
3
7
26
Detachable
chairlifts
28
Detachable
gondola lifts
14
Fixed-grip
chairlifts
6Funicular railways
3
Monoracks
1Material
ropeway
In 2017, the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group
completed a total of 105 projects with 96 cus -
tomers in 24 countries. In pole position among
the eleven different ropeway systems were
detachable gondola lifts with 28 installations,
closely followed by detachable chairlifts with
26. Fixed-grip chairlifts and surface lifts accounted
for 14 installations in both cases.
New installations also included seven reversible
aerial tramways and six funicular
railways as well as three monoracks and
combination lifts. In addition, there were two
3S lifts, one material ropeway and one Cable
Liner. A complete overview of all the projects
implemented can be found in the Annual Brochure
2018.
The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group would like
to thank its customers around the entire globe
for their trust and looks forward to a future
filled with many more exciting projects. |
France is No. 1 for ski lifts
With over 3,000 installations, France ranks
as the country with the highest number of
ski lifts worldwide – ahead of Austria and the
USA. Reason enough take a closer look at this
ropeway nation. The French are avid skiers
and continually invest in new aerial ropeways
and lifts. Of the total investments in ski tourism
totaling some 300 million euros a year,
new ropeway installations alone account for
48 percent, with another 12 percent going to
the maintenance of existing installations. The
highest density of winter sports infrastructure
is to be found in the Alps. |
Investments
in French
ski tourism
48%
New installations
3,391 * ski lifts
10%
in the Pyrenees
13%
Artificial snowmaking
12%
Maintenance of
existing installations
75%
in the Alps
The rest is split between other mountain ranges**
10%
Snow-grooming vehicles
13%
Miscellaneous
(safety, signage, etc.)
4%
Trail maintenance
*Status 2015, ** Status 2013 Source: Advantage Austria Center Strasbourg: Industry Sector Report France – Ski Tourism, 2016

Facts & Figures
5
CWA dons a new look
24,000
seats a year
CWA produces 24,000 seats annually.
These would fit into 29 Airbus A380s, the
world’s biggest passenger aircraft
Visit the new website here
www.cwa.ch
@cwaswitzerland
Over 2,000 cabins a year
To obtain the equivalent of CWA’s annual output
of cabins, piled one on top of the other, you would
have to stack up six of the Burj Khalifa, currently
the world’s tallest skyscraper
CWA demonstrates a wealth of know-how and
creativity in the development and construction
of cabins and vehicles. Now the Swiss cabin
manufacturer itself has opted for a new style
and is presenting itself with a streamlined logo
and a new website.
New website
Visitors to www.cwa.ch can immerse themselves
in a world of emotional visuals. Guided
by short, concise texts, they set off on a journey
around the CWA universe. The products
and profiles of projects in a wide range of
countries give the brand a face and show the
many possibilities cabin and vehicle construction
has to offer. The website, which has been
programmed using responsive web design,
has a reader-friendly structure and is suitable
for all devices and browsers.
CWA on social media
Another door to the world of CWA has been
opened on Instagram under @cwaswitzerland
and on LinkedIn. Using these social media
channels to promote emotional images of the
most beautiful places in this world will ena ble
the brand to reach an even wider audience
who travel in CWA cabins and vehicles. |
CWA in figures
Founded: 1939
Headcount: 127 employees
Biggest ropeway cabin:
for 230 passengers (in Ha Long, VNM)

6 Expertise in Dealing with Authorities
Reliable partner
to the ropeway sector
For Doppelmayr/Garaventa, customer service means not only providing
support for the ropeway operator from the planning stage to the building
permit application and through to commissioning as well as during the
entire operating life of the ropeway installation. The global market leader
has always successfully represented the interests of the ropeway sector
on various committees – at home, in Europe and worldwide.

Expertise in Dealing with Authorities
7
A
s well as developing and building
ropeways, Doppelmayr/Garaventa sup -
ports customers worldwide in their
dealings with authorities and represents the
interests of the ropeway sector in the area of
statutory and technical requirements. This has
also led to innovations – technical, organizational
and administrative – that make life easier
for passengers, customers and the ropeway
manufacturer.
The ropeway professionals collaborate proactively
on the development of standards and
guidelines. When the CEN ropeway standards
were created in Europe, the close involvement
of a handful of Doppelmayr specialists enabled
them to contribute their know-how and
experience. Playing an active role in defining
legislation and the associated technical provisions
is crucial because, ultimately, this has an
impact on further development as well as on
passenger safety. “From April 2018, the new
cableways regulation comes into force. Above
all, it has the advantage that was already embedded
in the EU cableways directive, i.e. it
creates more leeway for innovations. When we
can prove that a new development achieves
the same safety level as the current state of
the art, then – thanks to the statutory leeway –
it can be used,” emphasizes Michael Mathis,
Doppelmayr’s technical director. “Even if it
takes a lot of manpower to deliver the proof,
it’s worth the effort. Because you can only
achieve genuine improvements for the future
in the sector if you play an active role in development.
That’s important to us.”
“In terms of ropeway approval processes and
project handling, the new EU directive will not
mean any significant changes in the requirements
as compared with previous procedures.
The fundamental concept of the EC directive
from the year 2000 and the associated statutory
and technical framework has basically been
retained. There are merely changes to some of
the details,” explains Egon Böhler, salesman
and senior project engineer at Doppelmayr.

8 Expertise in Dealing with Authorities
Improving handling and comfort
through innovation
The officially approved deactivation concept
that is integrated into the Doppelmayr Connect
control system is a good example of technical
achievement. The TÜV-certified concept as
used, for example, on the areitXpress ( page
22) means that, in the event of a sensor defect,
the operator has the choice between the
emergency drive or continuing to operate with
the main drive. By using defined substitute
measures, the safety function can simply be
deactivated.
The recovery concept developed by Doppelmayr/Garaventa
in 2008 and used on the
Vietnamese ropeway Hòn Thom ( page 16),
among others, means that instead of the passengers
being subjected to the stress of being
rescued, they can be returned to the stations
while remaining in the cabins.
It has also been possible to develop a major
simplification of the annual load tests. This
brings a lot of benefits for the operator. Details
can be found in the article on the Schatzberg
lift ( page 20).
A lot has been accomplished in the area of
child safety. Doppelmayr developed a chair
model series to enable seven children to ride
on a chairlift accompanied by just one adult.
Various safety features, such as automatic
closure of the restraining bar or restraining
bar monitoring in combination with individual
footrests, have made it possible to amend
and approve the statutory requirements for
passenger carriage – a great improvement for
ropeway operators and their guests.
The experience of the Alpine countries is hugely
important in the context of legislation at EU
level. That’s why it’s necessary for these states
to engage in this area in a big way. Doppelmayr/Garaventa
therefore invests a lot of effort
in taking the interests of all parties into consideration
and contributing its experience and
expertise to that end. Examples here include
the requirements for spare parts handling –
especially in the case of ropeways that were
not built in line with EU criteria – as well as
in the case of second-hand ropeways that are
installed at a new location.
Help with the official channels
Doppelmayr/Garaventa assists customers
in their dealings with the authorities when it
comes to technical matters, above all in conjunction
with permits for ropeway installations.
That assistance ranges from questions arising
prior to submitting the building permit application
and the hearing for the permit through to
the commissioning and obtaining the operating
license for the ropeway. The ropeway professionals
help to prepare the relevant information
and documents to obtain the building
permit as well as for the operating license procedure.
This reduces the administrative workload
for customers because they can rely on
the ropeway manufacturer’s experience in this
area. The many years of professional collaboration
between Doppelmayr/Garaventa and the
authorities have made it possible to establish
sustainable relationships of trust which simplify
the implementation of ropeway installations
for everyone concerned. In future, the global
market leader will continue in its efforts to assist
customers and the authorities and to contribute
its innovative capability in the interests
of the ropeway industry. |

Expertise in Dealing with Authorities
9
Working together
to create benefits
WIR spoke with Jörg Schröttner,
Head of the Supreme Ropeway Authority at the Federal Ministry for Transport,
Innovation and Technology (BMVIT) and President of OITAF.
WIR. In your role, you protect the interests
of suppliers and operators in the ropeway sector.
What challenges do you encounter?
Jörg Schröttner: As the supreme ropeway
authority in Austria, the BMVIT is the body
that approves and supervises different ropeway
systems. Its responsibilities include conducting
concession, construction permit and
operating license hearings as well as overseeing
proper operations. In addition, the duties
of the supreme ropeway authority encompass
developing fundamental technical and statutory
principles for ropeways, market oversight in
line with provisions of EU law and the issue of
general instructions, particularly in response to
specific incidents or accidents.
Both manufacturers and operating companies
are consulted at length when it comes to developing
fundamental technical and statutory
principles. A major concern is to respect the
different interests of all the stakeholders (such
as authorities, manufacturers, operators, employers,
land owners and local residents). The
authority is under a prime obligation to maintain
objectivity and is bound by regulatory provisions
(laws, regulations, directives, orders).
The ropeway authority is, of course, fully aware
of the economic consequences of its actions or
failure to make timely decisions. We therefore
make every effort to accommodate the interests
of the ropeway sector as far as possible.
This is reflected above all in the commissioning
of installations as part of the process of
obtaining an operating license, which in most
cases is performed on schedule. This is only
possible thanks to the huge personal commitment
on the part of our personnel (working
overtime, at weekends).
WIR. A new cableways regulation comes
into force in April 2018. What changes do you
anticipate in this context?
Jörg Schröttner: There are many changes,
some of which will only have a minor impact
on manufacturers and operators. In comparison
with Directive 2000/9/EC, there have
been changes with regard to conformity assessment
procedures in particular. In contrast
with Directive 2000/9/EC, under which only
the conformity of safety components was
assessed, the new regulation provides for a
conformity assessment procedure according
to modules for subsystems as well as safety
components. In this respect, the previous
Module H (now H1) has also been amended.
This means it will be necessary for the bodies
responsible for performing the conformity
assessment to reapply for accreditation and
notification.
Another new provision compared with Directive
2000/9/EC is the exemption of ropeways
categorized as historic, cultural or heritage installations
under Art. 2 of the cableways regulation,
which I won’t go into here.
WIR. How would you describe your collaboration
with Doppelmayr?
Jörg Schröttner: We have enjoyed an excellent
and extremely constructive relationship
with Doppelmayr representatives for many
years. We are confident that our work together
will continue to be beneficial to all the parties
involved.
WIR. In your view, what influence does
Austrian legislation have on other EU countries
and on countries outside the EU?
Jörg Schröttner: The importance of national
regulations for other countries has diminished
since the existence of common rules
under EU law.
WIR. What developments in the ropeway
industry to you expect to see in the future?
Jörg Schröttner: Alongside development
of the classic winter sports installations, we
are going to see an increased focus on urban
ropeway systems and access to tourist regions
that are not involved with winter sports. In Europe
in particular, there is huge development
potential for urban ropeway systems. Manufacturers
and operators will certainly be faced
with challenges in this area, both from a technical
point of view, such as increased availability
through minimized waiting times, and with
regard to gaining acceptance among the local
population.
WIR. Many thanks for taking the time out
to talk to us. |

10 Interview
A showcase project
for the whole region
WIR spoke with Bruno Lifart, Delegate of the Board of Directors of Stoosbahnen AG.
WIR. What were the biggest challenges of
planning and implementing the Stoos funicular?
Bruno Lifart: When you enter uncharted
territory, you’re always going to encounter unknown
factors that have to be resolved as you
go along, in spite of all the groundwork you
do in advance. In this respect, we continually
had to demonstrate feasibility and do a lot of
persuading, whether it was the planners or the
contractors or the authorities who granted the
permits. At this point, I would like to highlight
in particular the excellent and constructive collaboration
with Garaventa. It was their positive
attitude that made it possible to find solutions
to previously unresolvable issues.
This unique project, which cuts across three
different municipalities, ended up requiring
eleven referendums and, in some cases, cantonal
council votes. Making sure that all the
people involved were always kept up to date
and the various stakeholders got the appropriate
information led to a huge workload. The
high percentage of yes votes in the eleven referendums
was the great reward for our efforts
and, at the same time, gave us the motivation
for the other work.
When it came to implementing the project, the
dominant issue was health and safety in this
extremely demanding terrain. One of the things
we had to do was to ensure that the construction
workers could reach and leave the construction
site on the steep slope securely
24 hours a day – and that meant in the winter,
at night, in snow and so on.
And, of course, as with any project, finance
was a constant challenge every step of the
way.
WIR. What is the significance of the Stoos
funicular, with its futuristic design and unusual
construction, for the tourist region?
Bruno Lifart: We can say, without exaggeration,
that the new Stoos funicular is a
showcase project for the region and the area
as a whole stands to benefit from it. Our job
now is to leverage the potential generated by
the many new guests. We must try to encourage
them to spend time in our region and to
take advantage of the many great things it has
to offer, rather than simply riding up and down
the mountain once on the new Stoos funicular.
That way, we can increase our total value
added.
WIR. Purely in terms of its technology, the
Stoos funicular is unique. How was the question
of passenger comfort addressed?
Bruno Lifart: Right from the word go, it
was very important for us to understand and
address the needs of today’s guests. That begins
with the right location for the exit in the
bottom terminal and the optimal location for
the upper terminal. As a consequence, the new
upper terminal is right next to the winter sports
amenities and very close to Stoos village.
We also attached great importance to guests
feeling good at all times on the train and in the
stations: large windows, plenty of headroom
above their heads, generously proportioned
stations, no obstacles whatsoever such as
steps, plus clear spatial separation of passenger
and freight flows.
And the absolute star feature is, of course, the
level compensation system, which means that
passengers sit upright throughout the trip and
don’t actually feel the slope. Initial experience
shows that the passengers rate the comfort
highly and especially people who tend to be
anxious are then totally surprised to find that
they don’t actually notice the steepness at all.
WIR. Many thanks for your time! |

The world’s steepest
funicular
The Stoos funicular railway in the central Swiss canton
of Schwyz climbs a grade of 110 percent.
Standseilbahn Schwyz-Stoos AG and their
partner, Garaventa, hadn’t been planning to
attempt a world record. They did, however,
attach particular importance to high availability
and optimal access to the mountain village
of Stoos. This led to the decision to build the
steepest funicular in the world. Its low profile
means it can continue to operate in the most
adverse weather conditions.
To ensure top ride comfort even over such a
steep slope, the Doppelmayr subsidiary CWA
designed passenger compartments that are
unique worldwide. With their generously dimensioned
windows and high spatial comfort, these
compartments provide a magnificent view of
the Swiss tourist region of Stoos-Muotatal. A
level compensation system developed by Garaventa
ensures that the futuristic-looking cylindrical
cars are automatically adjusted to suit
the incline at any one time – in the case of the
Stoos funicular, up to 110 percent. This means
that the compartment floors remain horizontal
throughout the trip. Passengers also benefit
from barrier-free, level boarding and disembarkation
in the upper and lower terminals. Goods
can be carried on a freight platform at the front
of the train. Like the passenger compartments,
this is automatically leveled. The flows of passengers
and goods are logistically separated
to prevent any conflict.
A total of three tunnels had to be built to accommodate
the funicular alignment. Transporting
the drive unit also proved to be a
challenge. The drivers had to negotiate the
narrow mountain road with millimeter precision
to bring the individual elements weighing up
to 16.5 tons to the top terminal. Ultimately, the
great dedication of all the employees involved
and Garaventa’s many years of experience
gained from a large number of funicular railway
projects helped to ensure that the installation
was able to go into service without a hitch after
a very short start-up period. |
Owner
Location
Inclined length
Vertical rise
Standseilbahn
Schwyz-Stoos AG
Morschach, Schwyz
(CHE)
1,738 m
of which 261 m over
bridges
and 560 m in tunnels
744 m
Maximum grade 110%
Capacity
Speed
1,500 PPH
10.0 m/s
Carriers 2 4-car trains for 136
passengers per train
Opened
136-FUL Stoos Funicular
12/17/2017, 12:17pm
“We weren’t looking for a world record, but
now that it’s been achieved, we certainly
have nothing against it!”
Bruno Lifart, Delegate of the Board of
Directors, Stoosbahnen AG

Engineering feat
on the Stoos
The car
A hydraulic control system aligns the
cylindrical cars in relation to the incline of
the track – each car can hold 34 people,
giving a train capacity of 136 passengers.
The design of the cars on the new funicular railway up to
the mountain village of Stoos in the Swiss canton of Schwyz
is unique worldwide. The sunny yellow Stoos funicular is
not just attractive and comfortable, but also incorporates
cutting-edge technology.
T
he terrain and consequently the alignment
of the new Stoos funicular are
quite remarkable. Its passengers ride
over two bridges, through three tunnels and
climb up a 110% grade in the steepest section.
That’s an exceptional achievement for
a funicular. A traditional aerial ropeway was
ruled out because it would have had to pass
through a local shooting range. Thanks to their
hydraulically controlled level compensation,
the newly developed train and cars ensure that
the floor of the passenger compartments and
the freight platform for goods transport remain
horizontally level at all times.
In view of the extreme incline, the weight of the
new train posed a particular challenge that the
Garaventa engineers mastered with flying col-
ors. One complete train weighs 27 tons and
can also carry up to 136 passengers.
Special alignment
The lower terminal lies at an elevation of
562 meters. The trip takes passengers up to
1,306 meters and the 1,738-meter route is as
unusual as the funicular itself. It incorporates
two bridges with a total length of 261 meters
and three tunnels with a length of 578 meters
in total. Needless to say, the standout feature
is the maximum grade of 110% (47.7 degrees).
The individual cars are connected to the rolling
frame by means of positive guide profiles and
bogies, creating a high degree of flexibility and
enabling the horizontal level adjustment function.
This adjustment is so gentle that passengers
don’t even notice it. |

Technology & Innovation
13
The freight platform
The freight platform is designed to carry
six tons and aligns itself horizontally like
the passenger cars.
The train
The train consisting of four passenger
cars and one freight platform
has an empty weight of 27 tons.
With passengers, the Stoos funicular
has a total weight of 39 tons.
2 x 1150
3–5
136
22.3
3
1.5
kW
Nominal power
minutes
Trip time
passengers
Train capacity
meters
Train length
meters
Train width
meters
Gauge
The track
The 1,738-meter track has two bridges
with a total length of 261 meters and
three tunnels with a length of 578 meters
in total.
Track length
1738 m
Bridge
Stoos
Elevation
1,306 m
Max. grade
110 %
47.7°
3 tunnels
Vertical rise
744 m
Schlattli
Elevation 562 m
Bridge

14 International Projects
ESO System
Comprehensive safety measures
make unmanned operation
possible:
Loading and unloading in the
straight section of the station only;
precise, electronically controlled
carrier timing in the loading and
unloading zones; guide rollers on
the hangers and stabilizing rails
to ensure smooth, sway-free cabin
transit through the stations; spacing
control in the loading and unloading
zones (no gap greater than
250 mm); CCTV monitoring with
call system; barrier-free boarding;
optimized boarding platform for
cabins (max. gap of 5 mm between
cabin and platform) for top loading
and unloading comfort, etc.
Capacity record for unmanned operation
in French winter paradise
The new Moraine gondola lift in the Val
Thorens ski area brings even more winter
sports guests onto the slopes in comfort.
Val Thorens in the French department Savoie
ranks among Europe’s highest ski areas and
the world’s biggest. Large numbers of winter
sports guests come every year to enjoy
the magnificent panorama – Val Thorens is
surrounded by six glaciers. Since the end of
2017, the impressive route into the mountains
has become even more enjoyable for skiers.
Doppelmayr was contracted to replace a quad
chairlift with an ultramodern 10-passenger gondola
lift. The passengers are not the only ones
to benefit from the ropeway’s comfort features.
The installation is equipped with the operator-friendly
ESO (exploitation sans opérateur)
system, which enables unmanned operation.
Reliability and fail-safety are the hallmarks of
this system and were the main reasons for the
operating company’s decision in favor of this
model. It means that up to 2,800 passengers
an hour can be carried without a hitch – which
is the capacity record for a detachable gondola
lift with ESO system. This ropeway concept
therefore meets all the requirements for use in
public transport applications. The new gondola
lift currently operates throughout the winter
season and also enables beginners to use a
large part of the ski area.
Individual support
One challenge during construction was the
tight schedule. While the planning began a
year in advance of the opening, implementation
took place between June and November
2017. Doppelmayr France completed the construction
on time without any delays, in spite
of adverse weather conditions. Doppelmayr’s
construction expertise and its excellent product
quality were not the only reasons why it
was chosen by the operating company. The
ropeway specialist also provides individual
support for its customers, such as assistance
during ongoing operations and maintenance
training for the new gondola lift. Customer satisfaction
is also reflected in the fact that the
Val Thorens ski area has contracted Doppelmayr
for a whole series of projects in the past.
It was only in 2014 that the La Portette 6-seater
chairlift was opened, followed by Stade, another
6-seater installation, in 2016. Doppelmayr
and SETAM share a long history marked by
innovation. There are already two 8-passenger
gondola lifts with ESO system operating in Val
Thorens: Caron and Cairn. Both installations
were built in 2007. |
Owner
Location
Inclined length
Vertical rise
Capacity
Speed
Carriers
10-MGD Moraine
SETAM (Société
d’exploitation des
téléphériques Tarentaise
Maurienne)
Val Thorens, Savoie
(FRA)
2,450 m
446 m
2,800 PPH
6.0 m/s
82 10-passenger cabins
(unmanned)
Opened November 2017
“The start-up of the new gondola lift went off
without a single hitch. The engineers adapted
the lift precisely in line with our requirements.”
Bruno Jurine, Technical Director, SETAM

D-Line for Ischgl’s highest point
The Palinkopf D1 in Ischgl is not just visually
impressive; its location is also exceptional.
The Palinkopf surface lift went into service in
the ski resort of Ischgl/Samnaun in 1973 and
provided access to very popular ski trails in the
Palinkopf section. This lift was replaced by a
fixed-grip double chairlift in 1985, which was
then converted into a detachable quad chairlift
in the 1990s. After 20 years in operation and
some 12 million trips, the lift was replaced by a
latest-generation 6-seater D-Line chairlift from
Doppelmayr in summer 2017.
The bottom station is located at 2,413 meters,
near the Schwarzwand restaurant in the heart
of the Silvretta Arena, and passes over 16 tubular
towers on its route to one of the highest
and most picturesque places in the ski area,
the Palinkopf. The top station of the new lift lies
at 2,850 meters, which puts it at the ski area’s
highest point. The high-alpine environmental
conditions on the Palinkopf posed a particular
challenge during the construction of the rope-
way. As a consequence, the towers and foundations
have been adapted to cope with things
like rockfalls and avalanches.
Styling down to the smallest detail
Top passenger comfort is a standout feature of
the Palinkopf D1. The 6-seater D-Line chairs
have 520 mm wide, ergonomically shaped individual
seats, comfortable footrests and seat
heating. Operation is extremely low on noise
and vibration. And in terms of design, every detail
that Silvrettaseilbahn AG could possibly
wish for has been accommodated – virtually every
last screw features the signature black-andred
Ischgl design. The stars who have appeared
in the popular Top of the Mountain concerts in
Ischgl are featured on the mesh banners on the
backs of the chairs. The restraining bars incorporate
the slogan “Relax. If you can”, the loading
gates in the stations are painted in the
Ischgl colors, the windows are dark and even
the roof reflects the overriding design theme.
The result is a coherent overall impression that
blends in perfectly with the ski area. |
6-CLD-B Palinkopf D1
Owner
Silvrettaseilbahn AG
Location
Ischgl, Tyrol (AUT)
Inclined length 1,577 m
Vertical rise 440 m
Capacity
2,800 PPH
Trip time
5.75 min
Carriers
89 6-seater chairs
Opened November 2017
Ropeway generation D-Line
“Doppelmayr tick the same way as
us – that why it’s always a joy
to work together on developing
projects – from the idea to the
design and all the way through
to the ultimate implementation.”
| Markus Walser,
CEO, Silvrettaseilbahn AG
As pictures say more
than words, take a look
at the Palinkopf D1 video
on YouTube here:

Islands connected by the world’s longest tricable gondola lift
The vacation islands Phú Quôc and Hòn
Thom in southern Vietnam are linked by a 3S
gondola lift which is almost eight kilometers
long and sets a world record.
It is nearly one and one-half kilometers longer
than the previous record holder, Fansipan Legend
on Vietnam’s tallest mountain. At 7,900 meters,
the 3S gondola lift Hòn Thom in southern
Vietnam is the world’s longest tricable ropeway.
It connects the two vacation islands
Phú Quôc and Hòn Thom and is a highlight
for every visitor. The south of the country was
already a popular vacation destination before
the ropeway was built. The modern lift installation
is making another major contribution
toward the development of tourism in Vietnam
– on the one hand as part of the infrastructure,
on the other as an attraction in its own right.
The route of the gondola lift crosses the sea,
and the towers – the highest of which rises up
164 meters – were also built on two smaller islands
that lie between the two vacation islands.
This gives passengers a breathtaking view.
Energy-saving and safe
A 3S lift is particularly well suited to an alignment
of this type. It offers high wind stability,
enables long unsupported rope spans and
has low power consumption. In addition, the
Hòn Thom 3S lift is fitted with many technical
refinements. The carriage wheel generator developed
by Doppelmayr, for example, supplies
the electricity for the lighting and PA system
during the trip. For maximum safety in an evacuation
scenario, the ropeway features an integrated
recovery concept. Additional safety devices
and redundant components that operate
independently of one another make it possible
to return the cabins to the station without having
to rescue passengers on the line.
Air-conditioned VIP cabin
The standard cabins on the gondola lift already
offer top comfort, but that can be taken
to a whole new level with the VIP cabin for
a maximum of eight passengers. This model
offers impressive luxury with premium fittings:
genuine-leather seats, real wood furnishings
with decorative detail in gold leaf, exclusive entertainment
system, refrigerator, USB socket,
dimmable interior LED lighting and starry sky.
The permanent air-conditioning is a world first.
This creates a pleasant temperature inside
and a unique sense of space amid Vietnam’s
hot, subtropical climate. To round off the VIP
visual experience, a glass floor gives an unhindered
view of the sea below. |
30-TGD Hòn Thom
Owner
Sun Group Corporation
Location
Phú Quôc (VNM)
Inclined length 7,900 m WR
Towers 6
Capacity
3,500 PPH
Speed
8.5 m/s
Trip time
15.6 min
Opened February 2018
“With Doppelmayr, we have built a fantastic
ropeway that has entered the Guinness
World Records. That’s an added attraction
for our guests.”
Pham Quoc Quan, Sun Group Deputy
General Director for Southern Vietnam

International Projects
17
Ski area link Andermatt–Sedrun
takes a major step forward
The link-up between the Swiss ski resorts
of Andermatt and Sedrun is starting to take
shape with the opening of a new gondola lift
and a new chairlift.
The new 8-passenger gondola lift Gütsch Express
and the 6-seater chairlift Hinter Bördli–
Strahlgand are the latest ropeway projects implemented
by Garaventa as part of the merger
between the ski areas of Andermatt and Sedrun.
This means Garaventa has completed
the gondola and chairlift for the first realization
phase, which is a major step toward linkage of
the two snow sports resorts.
Gondola lift up to the Gütsch
The Gütsch Express replaces the fixed-grip
double chairlift Andermatt–Nätschen and the
detachable quad chairlift Nätschen–Gütsch.
It is split into two sections that can either be
operated individually using separate drives
or as one unit – a huge improvement in comfort.
Loading and unloading in the newly built
bottom, mid and top stations is pleasant and
stress-free thanks to level access and reduced
speed. This is particularly beneficial to
families with children and to passengers not
taking part in snow sports. The gondola lift
makes the Gütsch even more attractive as a
winter and summer destination. The bottom
station is conveniently located in terms of
transport connections and is directly linked to
Andermatt’s railroad station via a pedestrian
subway.
Comfortable chairlift
The new 6-seater chairlift Hinter Bördli–Strahlgand,
known as the Lutersee Flyer, also incorporates
many comfort features. The chairs are
fitted with upholstered seats and backrests. As
well as providing comfort, the individual footrests
also ensure safety, particularly for children.
Passengers are protected against wind
and weather by bubbles on all the carriers.
As in the case of new lifts opened in previous
years, this chairlift has also been designed on
the basis of the UNI-G system developed by
Doppelmayr/Garaventa. System harmonization
brings benefits in terms of spare parts procurement
and lift maintenance. Carrier parking
is located in the top station, which also houses
the drive. |
“Construction of the new gondola
and chairlift is in many respects
a quantum leap in comfort
and technology.”
Silvio Schmid, CEO,
Andermatt-Sedrun
Sport AG
Owner
Location
Andermatt-Sedrun
Sport AG
Andermatt, Uri (CHE)
8-MGD Gütsch-Express (Section 1)
Inclined length
Vertical rise
Capacity
Speed
Trip time
1,080 m
390 m
2,400 PPH
6.0 m/s
3.87 min
8-MGD Gütsch-Express (Section 2)
Inclined length
Vertical rise
Capacity
Speed
Trip time
1,902 m
535 m
2,400 PPH
6.0 m/s
6.16 min
6-CLD-B Hinter Bördli–Strahlgand
Inclined length
Vertical rise
Capacity
Speed
Trip time
Ski Area Link
Andermatt–Sedrun
881 m
267 m
2,000 PPH
5.0 m/s
3.32 min

Steinach has the world’s fastest combination lift
The new Hoher Turm installation in Tyrol
operates in the summer as well as in the winter.
In the cold months of the year, passengers
can choose between cabins or chairs.
When visiting Steinach in the Austrian province
of Tyrol, winter guests wanting to ride up to the
Nößlachjoch can decide for themselves whether
they prefer to make the trip in a cabin or on a
chair. What’s special about this is that it’s one
and the same lift: 6-seater chairs as well as
8-passenger cabins are attached to the rope
of the combination lift known as the Hoher
Turm. The new ropeway is state of the art and
is equipped, among other things, with comfort
suspension. But that’s not the only special feature:
With a speed of 5.5 meters per second,
the Hoher Turm is the fastest combination lift
worldwide as well as being Austria’s longest.
The new installation is used first and foremost
by day-trippers from Innsbruck. The Tyrolean
capital lies just a 30-minute drive away from
Steinach and its residents like coming to ski in
the region. Unlike the double chairlift, which the
new installation replaces, the Hoher Turm also
operates in the summer. In the warm months
of the year, the lift runs with cabins only. This is
because summer operation is geared to families
who visit the area. Using the cabins means
they can take their baby strollers on board and
ride all the way up to the Nößlachjoch to go
hiking. Thanks to the carrier sorting system –
which can also be used during ongoing operations
– it is also possible to park the chairs
separately in the winter while the cabins continue
to carry passengers.
From the outset, the aim was to make the new
lift up to the Nößlachjoch state of the art. The
Hoher Turm clearly brings a general improvement
in comfort compared with its predecessor.
For the operating company, RBG Berglifte
GmbH, Doppelmayr was the obvious choice
for the contract, especially as Steinach already
has several successful Doppelmayr lift installations
that have been operating for some time.
The quality of the existing ropeways, their high
availability and, not least, the concept for the
new project were the factors that decided the
contract award. |
“This lift is truly awesome!”
Florian Raffl,
Operations Manager, Bergeralm
6/8-CGD Hoher Turm
Owner
Location
Inclined length
Vertical rise
Capacity
Speed
RBG Berglifte GmbH
Steinach am Brenner,
Tyrol (AUT)
2,040 m
592 m
2,418 PPH
5.5 m/s
Opened November 2017

International Projects
19
Ultramodern chairlift for Norway’s
Olympic ski resort
Norefjell Skisenter boasts one of Norway’s
most technically cutting-edge detachable
chairlifts: the Fjellekspressen.
Norefjell was the venue for four alpine skiing
events at the 1952 Winter Olympics. Today, the
ski resort is once again pointing the way forward
for Norwegian winter sports. One of the
most ultra-modern detachable chairlifts in Norway
lies just a 90-minute drive away from the
capital, Oslo. The Fjellekspressen is the country’s
first Doppelmayr chairlift with seat heating,
bubbles, a wind stabilizer and the innovative
drive concept, Doppelmayr Direct Drive.
This gearless drive offers low-vibration and
low-noise operation as well as straightforward
maintenance. Winter sports enthusiasts using
the Fjellekspressen enjoy a very comfortable
and peaceful ride and arrive at their destination
warm and dry without being affected by
the weather conditions.
Modernization of the ski resort
The new chairlift provides easy access to easy
terrain. It is the first step in a modernization
process envisioned for Norefjell. The ski resort
has great plans for the future, with several new
ropeway installations in the pipeline as part of
a complete makeover in the next few years.
When it came to building the Fjellekspressen,
Norefjell placed all its trust in Doppelmayr
know-how. The ropeway experts had overall
responsibility for the project and mastered
the task to the full satisfaction of the customer,
Norefjell Skisenter. The construction of the
entire ropeway installation was completed in
a time span of just six months. Doppelmayr
erected nine towers for the lift, which is
just under one kilometer in length and has
50 chairs that carry passengers to the ski
slopes throughout the winter. |
Owner
Location
Inclined length
Vertical rise
Capacity
Speed
Carriers
6-CLD-B Fjellekspressen
Norefjell Skisenter AS
Norefjell, Krødsherad
(NOR)
1,050 m
130 m
2,400 PPH
5.0 m/s
50 6-seater chairs
with bubbles
Opened December 2017
“Norefjell is very proud of our new
Doppelmayr chairlift. This is the
first step of the planned makeover
for our ski resort, which was an
Olympic venue in 1952.”
Marius Arnesen,
Managing Director,
Norefjell Skisenter AS

20 International Projects
Innovative technology in modular design
The reversible aerial tramway Kräbel–Rigi
Scheidegg is not only “small but impressive”
but also fit for the future – for at least the next
30 years.
The new aerial tramway Kräbel–Rigi Scheidegg
in the Swiss hiking area Rigi near Goldau in
the canton of Schwyz is equipped for the next
30 years. Top ride comfort is assured thanks to
the 8-wheel carriage, dampened suspension
and adjustable swing dampeners along with
the installation’s high wind stability. Innovative
technology makes light work of handling for the
operator, RIGI BAHNEN. The tramway has ultramodern
drive control, audio and video monitoring,
and the option of remote maintenance.
The tramway cabins provide space for ten
seated and five standing passengers. Up to
now, comparable small aerial tramways used
in Switzerland have only had 8-passenger
cabins. The compact construction, similar to
the concept of a modular system, makes it
possible to achieve a very short construction
period as the individual components are preassembled
at the factory. This saves time
when it comes to installation and positively
impacts the overall construction time required
and therefore the costs. Goldau also benefits
as a result: The old ropeway was dismantled
in just six months and the new system erected
using exactly the same alignment. |
Owner
Operator
Location
Inclined length
Vertical rise
Capacity
Trains
Speed
Trip time
“The opening of the new aerial tram Kräbel-
Rigi Scheidegg on December 23, 2017, has
filled the gap in the popular hiking trail network
on the Rigi. A great Christmas present
for Rigi guests and Rigi Scheidegg residents!”
15-ATW Reversible
Aerial Tramway
Kräbel–Rigi Scheidegg
Luftseilbahn Kräbel-Rigi
Scheidegg AG / LKRS AG
RIGI BAHNEN AG
Goldau, Schwyz (CHE)
1,755 m
879 m
132 PPH
2 15-passenger cabins
6.0 m/s
5.58 min
Opened December 2017
Rita Baggenstos, VR LKRS AG
A treasure for the “Ski Jewel”
The new Schatzberg (“treasure mountain”)
lift at the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau
resort makes the trip to the Schatzberg faster
and more comfortable.
The Schatzberg lift in Auffach in Tyrol celebrated
its 50th birthday with a complete makeover.
“Following the merger of the ski areas Alpbachtal
and Wildschönau five years ago, capacity
utilization on the Schatzberg lift, which
acts as a feeder to the Schatzberg, increased
and it was time to upgrade the lift to state of
the art,” says Ludwig Schäffer, managing director
of the operating company, Schatzbergbahn
GmbH & Co. KG. The new 8-passenger
gondola lift now offers greater speed and
comfort, and capacity has also been increased
from 1,600 passengers an hour to 2,650. With
a length of over four kilometers and a mid station,
the Schatzberg lift is an impressive ropeway
installation.
The new gondola lift is not only a highlight for
the guests but also for the ropeway operator.
Since 2017, the annual inspection of the
brakes and the emergency drive can be carried
out without ballast weights. Doppelmayr
has developed a method for doing this and
made it “market-ready” in collaboration with
the Austrian ropeway authority. This means the
customer can dispense with the arduous task
of loading the carriers with heavy weights, and
the amount of time involved has also been significantly
reduced.
Throughout the implementation of the
Schatzberg lift project, special emphasis was
placed on the customer’s wishes – as illustrated
by the example of the carrier parking solution.
Doppelmayr did everything possible to
design the parking facility so that the existing
building could largely be retained. |
Owner
Location
Inclined length
Vertical rise
Capacity
Carriers
Speed
Trip time
“We’ve been working with Doppelmayr
for years and, once again, the
professionalism of the entire team
involved with the Schatzberg lift
was outstanding.”
Ludwig Schäffer, Managing
Director, Schatzbergbahn
GmbH. & Co.KG
8-MGD Schatzberg Lift
Schatzbergbahn GmbH
& Co. KG
Auffach, Tyrol (AUT)
4,061 m
912 m
2,650 PPH
142 8-passenger cabins
6.0 m/s
13 min
Opened December 2017

A modern interpretation of family traditions
The Catskill Thunder gondola lift is the
new year-round attraction in North America’s
Catskill Mountains.
“Where traditions begin” is the motto of the
Belleayre ski resort in the US state of New
York. The resort prides itself on being a fun
destination for families, who like to spend their
winter vacations here. Entirely new traditions
have now been opened up to them with the
new Catskill Thunder gondola lift from Doppelmayr.
The installation has increased Belleayre’s
visitor capacity and cut waiting times
for trips up the mountain. The comfortable
gondolas provide a warm, swift lift to the top.
The Catskill Thunder connects up expert and
beginner trails at the top of the mountain and
operates in the summer as well as in the winter.
This means a boost for year-round tourism in
the region. The accessibility of the gondola lift
is an added bonus that will enable all guests
to enjoy the magnificent views of the Catskill
Mountains all year round. In the cold months of
the year, the new ropeway will help to distrib-
ute winter sports practitioners more effectively
across the ski area. Up to now, patrons tended
to ski on the eastern side of the mountain,
leaving the western side largely underutilized.
In terms of Doppelmayr’s contribution, the experience
of Belleayre Mountain and the resort’s
operator, Olympic Regional Development Authority
(ORDA), speaks for itself: “All the Doppelmayr
people involved were willing to go the
extra mile for us to make sure the project was
completed quickly and professionally,” says
Belleayre Ski Resort general manager Tim
Maxwell. The ropeway experts also succeeded
in meeting the tight construction schedule of
just under six months – Doppelmayr’s fastest
installation in the US for this size gondola. Before
work on the new ropeway went ahead, the
ski resort underwent an extensive overhaul. As
well as relocating ski trails, Belleayre also built
a skier bridge across one of the main access
roads to the ski resort. |
Owner
Location
Inclined length
Vertical rise
Capacity
Speed
Carriers
8-MGD Catskill Thunder
Belleayre Mountain/
Olympic Regional
Development Authority
Highmount, New York
(USA)
1,978 m
413 m
2,000 PPH
5.1 m/s
60 8-passenger cabins
Opened December 2017
“The Catskill Thunder is a world-class
gondola. Belleayre skiers and riders are
enjoying top-to-bottom skiing and riding
up together in the new gondola. We are excited
for this new modern, accessible
transport system at Belleayre
Mountain which will create yearround
opportunities for tourism in
the area.”
Mike Pratt, President
and CEO, Olympic
Regional Development
Authority

22 International Projects
Fifty-percent capacity increase
with the areitXpress
The new 10-passenger D-Line gondola
lift up to the Schmitten in Zell am See offers
modern technology in a stylish look.
For the oldest ski area in Austria’s Salzburgerland
province, being state of the art goes without
saying. In collaboration with long-standing
partner Doppelmayr, the Schmitten operating
company in Zell am See therefore built the
areit Xpress – a modern D-Line lift that combines
top comfort with a short trip time. Passengers
benefit from level access to the cabins. The
latest-generation ropeway also impresses with
a host of comfort features such as more legroom,
wider, comfortable seats and free WiFi
in the cabins. Behind the scenes, the Doppelmayr
Connect control system ensures smooth
operations. “One of the things that impressed
us was the deactivation concept integrated
into the control system. In the event of a sensor
malfunction, this enables us to continue operating
with a functional main drive, rather than
the emergency drive,” explains Hannes Mayer,
technical director of Schmittenhöhebahn
AG. The transport capacity of the new lift is
50 percent higher than that of its predecessor
– up to 3,600 passengers an hour can now be
carried up and downhill. With the areitXpress,
guests can swiftly access the ski area from the
Schüttdorf district and waiting times have finally
become a thing of the past. Once at the top
station, guests can either travel on to a wide
range of ski trails using other lifts or ski back
down into the valley. And if they prefer to take
time out to relax, they can head for the Areit-
Lounge or the AreitAlm.
Long established and modern
As long ago as 1927, the Schmittenhöhe lift
was the region’s first ropeway to go into operation.
Schmittenhöhebahn AG has been
working with Doppelmayr on the Areit for
30 years. In addition to cutting-edge technology,
the operating company attaches great importance
to sustainability when building lifts. The
stations blend in harmoniously with the natural
landscape. For the areitXpress, the main building
of the bottom station was modernized and
equipped with an innovative membrane roof. |
Owner
Location
Inclined length
Vertical rise
Capacity
Speed
Trip time
Carriers
“Doppelmayr Connect is really
user-friendly. The extensive
functionality makes life easier
for us and ensures maximum
safety for our guests.”
Hannes Mayer,
Technical Director,
10-MGD areitXpress
Schmittenhöhebahn AG
Schmittenhöhebahn AG
Zell am See, Salzburg
(AUT)
1,812 m
634 m
3,600 PPH
6.0 m/s
7.12 min
85 10-passenger cabins
Start-up November 30, 2017
Ropeway generation D-Line

International Projects
23
A little nostalgia never goes amiss
The Kehrsiten–Bürgenstock funicular incorporates
new technology clad in a heritage-style
design. Its vehicles are inspired by
the original cars dating back to 1888.
The fiery red cars on the Kehrsiten–Bürgenstock
funicular railway in the Swiss canton of
Nidwalden are true eye-catchers. Their vintage
look nonetheless conceals a series of innovations.
As part of a project involving refurbishment
as well as new construction, the railway
has been completely overhauled, without losing
sight of its historical value. Externally, the
new vehicles are replicas of the cars dating
back to 1888. Ropeway pioneers Franz Josef
Bucher-Durrer and Josef Durrer, no less,
were responsible for the original funicular
130 years ago. At the time, this was the first
electrically operated funicular in Switzerland
– and back then, state of the art. Today, the
installation is once again a showcase example
of cutting-edge ropeway technology. This
means that – in contrast with the time prior
to the overhaul – the cars can run without an
attendant. The funicular now also operates
during the winter months. Guests traveling
from the Kehrsiten–Bürgenstock landing stage
to the Bürgenstock Resort also get to enjoy a
snow-covered panorama – up to now, they had
looked out on green meadows, Lake Lucerne
and the impressive, steep rockfaces.
New track on the original alignment
The effort invested in retaining the character
of the original installation was huge. The alignment
was also retained. This meant building
concrete structures along the original route
and then laying the tracks on top of them. Delivery
of the two vehicles was also unusual:
Transportation to the Kehrsiten lower terminal
involved a spectacular trip across the lake. The
upper terminal called for a high level of coordination
as this building had to be integrated
into the hotel complex of the Bürgenstock Resort.
The latter was under construction at the
same time as the drive station was being assembled.
Today, the overall impression is one
of harmony – a successful mix of nostalgia and
modernity. |
Owner
Location
Inclined length
Vertical rise
Capacity
Speed
Carriers
56-FUL Kehrsiten–
Bürgenstock
Bürgenstock-Bahn
Bürgenstock, Lucerne
(CHE)
929 m
440 m
582 PPH
5.0 m/s
2 56-passenger cars
Opened September 2017
“We attached great importance to
preserving the character of the old
installation – especially as it is
actually listed in the Inventory of
Historical Funicular Railways –
Garaventa was instrumental in helping
us to accomplish that goal.”
Stefan Hochstrasser,
Project Manager,
Bürgenstock-Bahn

24 News from Around the World
North America’s first 8-passenger
chairlift to be built in Big Sky
For the coming winter season, Doppelmayr
is installing an ultramodern D-Line at Big Sky
Resort in Montana.
The first 8-passenger-chairlift with bubbles
ever built in North America is under construction
at Big Sky Resort in Montana, USA. As a
D-Line, it will incorporate top-level comfort and
the very latest ropeway technology. Boyne Resorts
has already shown itself to be a pioneer
in the past. For that reason, they were particularly
keen to mark the next step in the expansion
of Big Sky with a cutting-edge lift for this
new project and to raise the bar in terms of
quality and comfort in the US.
lift will have to offer. A particular gem will be
in store for passengers in the bottom station,
where information will be provided for guests
on a large LED screen. The opening of the new
chairlift is already planned for the 2018/2019
winter season.|
A fully automatic underground chair parking
facility, the new ropeway control system Doppelmayr
Connect, and chairs with bubbles in
Big Sky’s signature shade of blue are just a
few of the standout features that the new chair-
The world’s biggest urban ropeway
network continues to expand
Since 2014, La Paz in Bolivia has ranked (sky blue) have been officially inaugurated.
among the flagship cities that use urban These two lines form the link between the lines
ropeways as a means of transport.
Azul, Roja and Naranja in the north and Amarilla
and Verde in the south. More details of the
Two more ropeway lines went into public service
in La Paz on March 24, 2018. President WIR magazine.
new lines will be featured in the next issue of
Evo Morales was able to gain an impression of
the new lines by making a maiden trip on them Outlook for 2019
back in January 2018. Now the Línea Blanca The urban ropeway network is increasingly
(white) and first section of the Línea Celeste taking shape. Phase II is due to be completed
Línea Roja (2014)
Línea Amarilla (2014)
Línea Verde (2014)
Línea Azul (2017)
Línea Naranja (2017)
Línea Blanca (2018)
Línea Celeste – Section 1 (2018)
Planned / under construction
El Alto
La Paz
in 2019. By then, the network will have a total
of 10 ropeway lines covering an overall length
of over 30 kilometers – all built by Doppelmayr/Garaventa.
The Línea Plateada (silver),
which was subsequently added to Phase II,
completes the circle and makes the network
encompassing the two cities of La Paz and El
Alto particularly convenient.
Work is currently continuing apace: The planned
schedule for the next few months includes rope
installation for the second section of the Línea
Celeste and the Línea Morada (purple), construction
of the world’s tallest tubular tower in
an urban application at almost 60 meters and a
whole series of station assembly work.
In addition, the Putu Putu history museum,
where exhibits will include archaeological
finds from the Tiwanacu (Tiahuanaco) period,
is due to open near the Línea Blanca in May
2018. During the construction work, Doppelmayr
commissioned a team of archaeological
specialists to secure any discoveries and then
engaged with local partners to make these accessible
to the public in a dedicated museum
on and around the Línea Blanca. |

News from Around the World
25
Platinum ore transport in South Africa
– with RopeCon ® systems
Installation begins on two of the three
RopeCon ® systems for the Booysendal expansion
project.
At the Booysendal mining concession in South
Africa, work has begun on installing the first
two of three RopeCon ® systems that will be
used to transport platinum ore. For the mining
company Booysendal Platinum (Pty) Limited,
a subsidiary of Northam Platinum Limited, this
will boost mining capacity at the Booysendal
site. Doppelmayr Transport Technology GmbH,
a member of the Doppelmayr Group, is to build
a total of three RopeCon ® systems to transport
ore from the mine to the concentrator plant.
These will ensure cost-effective, reliable, safe
and environmentally low-impact transport of
ore over topographically challenging terrain.
Third RopeCon ® from 2020
The RopeCon ® installations currently under
construction will convey up to 900 tons an
hour. The first of these will cover a distance
of 4.9 kilometers and a total vertical climb of
530 meters. The second, short installation will
be used to discharge material onto a stockpile.
The systems are due to go into operation in
2019. This will be immediately followed by the
construction of a third RopeCon ® , with completion
planned for 2020. This system will convey
400 tons an hour over 2.8 kilometers and a
vertical drop of 160 meters. |
The latest from Action Mountain Penken
The final step in the preparations for construction
of the Mösl lift in Mayrhofen was
completed in February 2018.
future bottom station and work on the mid station
can also begin just a few weeks later. The
opening is scheduled for the next winter season
in December 2018. |
The Austrian ski resort Mayrhofen is to get
an innovative 10-passenger gondola lift with
three stations. The new showpiece is aimed
at providing access to the flank between the
district of Mösl on the Hochschwendberg and
the Horberg lift. The modern D-Line with its
top-level comfort will be another highlight in
the ski resort. In addition to building the new
lift, the ski trails are to be expanded, enabling
an even wider-ranging offer.
Green light for construction
Mayrhofner Bergbahnen began with the initial
preparation work in fall 2017. The last important
step was finalized on February 22, 2018,
with the formal granting of the building permit
for the Mösl lift at the hearing in Mayrhofen.
This gives a green light for the entire project.
The first construction work will start with the

Passionate about
building ropeways
Garaventa is the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group’s competence center for
reversible aerial tramways, funicular railways and custom installations.
W
hen Karl Garaventa built the first
ropeway to transport timber on
the Rigi in Switzerland in 1928, he
probably had no inkling of the fact that his
company was to have a major influence on
the history of ropeway construction. It is first
and foremost in the construction of large reversible
aerial tramways that Garaventa has
made a name for itself at both national and
international level. Significant milestones in
the company’s history include development
of the world’s first ROTAIR tramway in 1992 –
the system has cabins with a revolving floor –
and, just three years later, construction of the
world’s first aerial tramway with double-decker
cabins in Samnaun.
Competence and development
In 2002, the company joined forces with Austrian
ropeway experts Doppelmayr and merged
to form what is now the Doppelmayr/Garaventa
Group. Within the Group, Garaventa is the competence
and development center for reversible
aerial tramways, funicular railways and custom
installations, and provides comprehensive support
for its Swiss customers. The Swiss specialists
are also experts in the field of ropeway
installation. It was Garaventa, for example, who
took charge of installing the rope on major projects
such as the world-record tricable gondola
lift in Vietnam ( page 16). Garaventa customers
get everything from one source: comprehensive
project management, innovative engineering,
precision installation and reliable customer service
from day one of operation.
From the Hogwarts Express to the
Zugspitze cable car
“We are passionate about building ropeways
worldwide,” says István Szalai, CEO of Garaventa
AG. “In the fiscal year 2017/2018, Garaventa
completed 28 new installations and
18 modernization projects around the globe.”
Many of these new projects are the result of
long-standing partnerships. Garaventa draws
on a wealth of experience to develop ideas that
often lead to outstanding innovations. That is
illustrated, for example, by the new funicular
on the Stoos. This installation is not only extremely
impressive in terms of its technology
but also transports freight as well as passengers.
It succeeds in climbing maximum variations
in grade without the effects being felt by
the passengers ( page 11). The full extent of
Garaventa’s engineering ingenuity in the field
of ropeways is currently demonstrated by the
Zugspitze cable car, which sets no less than
three world records. It ranks as the aerial tramway
with the greatest vertical rise, the tallest
lattice tower and the longest unsupported rope
span. Implementation of the Ha Long Queen
Cable Car in Vietnam caused a sensation in
the international arena. Each of the tramway’s
double-decker cabins is designed to carry up
to 230 passengers. The famous Hogwarts Express
funicular to be found at Universal Studios
in Orlando, Florida, and based on the
renowned steam train from the Harry Potter
movies, was also the work of Garaventa.

© Bayerische Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG-Max Prechtel
Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group
Change in top
management at
Garaventa
István Szalai is handing over his duties
as CEO to Garaventa’s current COO, Arno
Inauen. This will ensure continuity at the
Swiss ropeway company.
27
Garaventa is
always looking to
recruit qualified
people for all areas
of the company
Funiculars and aerial tramways wow passengers
worldwide: on snow-covered mountains, in theme
parks or as a means of transport in cities.
Based in Switzerland
Despite its many international projects, Garaventa
has solid roots in Switzerland. The company
headquarter is located in Rotkreuz, with
further sites in Goldau, Uetendorf and Sion.
Garaventa employs some 390 people and is
currently training 28 apprentices. “Our employees
are key to our success,” says István
Szalai. “A strong focus on promoting employee
know-how is therefore one of our central values.
That’s the only way to enable innovations.
Our colleagues value the excellent working atmosphere
and the team spirit within the company.
We treat people with respect, whether
they are customers or co-workers. The team
openly addresses any problems and works together
to solve them. That makes it easier for
Garaventa to identify and leverage opportunities
for improvement.” |
“Our passion for
building ropeways is
clearly visible in each
of our installations.”
István Szalai,
CEO, Garaventa AG
István Szalai and Arno Inauen
After ten years as Garaventa’s CEO, István
Szalai has taken the decision to pass on
his role to a new pair of hands at an early
stage. This will take effect from April 1,
2018: “A decade ago and at an ideal age,
I was given the opportunity to take over the
reins at Garaventa during an exciting time
and to shape the company during a tenyear
period. This is precisely the opportunity
that I would now like to give my successor.”
During his time as CEO, István Szalai was
instrumental in consolidating Garaventa’s
position as competence center for reversible
aerial tramways and funiculars as well as for
complex rope installation work not just on
the Swiss market but also in the international
arena. As chairman of Garaventa’s board of
directors, he will retain some operational duties
and continue to play a management role
within the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group.
The new CEO, Arno Inauen, has in-depth
knowledge of the business. He holds a degree
in engineering from ETH Zurich as well
as in business administration. Within the
ropeway industry he possesses an excellent
network of contacts and is an acknowledged
expert in his field. He has held the
post of COO at Garaventa since 2012. The
new CEO is looking forward to his new role:
“I feel totally energized and extremely fortunate
to be continuing the great work of my
predecessor and leading Garaventa toward
a successful future.” |
“Innovation, reliability and quality will continue
to be the hallmarks of the Garaventa brand.”
Arno Inauen, new CEO of Garaventa

28 Customer Support
Looking ahead
Save time and money in the long run with a timely ropeway
inspection performed by Doppelmayr specialists.
W
inter checks for automobiles are a
familiar service: As a precaution,
vehicles undergo thorough inspection
before the cold months of the year in order
to avoid nasty surprises at a later date. Ropeway
inspections are very similar. At the customer’s
request, the specialists from Doppelmayr
carry out an on-site inspection and give
their professional assessment of the technical
condition of the ropeway. Operators who have
this check done are given an overview of the
options available to increase the life of the installation
and avoid unnecessary wear. Tips for
optimal operation and maintenance also save
time and money.
Identifying a need for action
An email or phone call is all that is needed
to request a ropeway inspection. The experienced
teams from technical customer support
and the service department are pleased
to provide a quotation tailored to specific requirements.
Once an order has been placed,
a visit is made to the ropeway. Depending on
the scope of the inspection, the visit can take
between five hours and two days. This time
period is necessary in order to enable the specialists
to do a precise job. In the long term,
the inspection and, of course, implementation
of the recommendations will help to effectively
increase the availability of the installation. The
inspection is performed in accordance with a
standardized checklist covering the general
condition of the ropeway, wear and tear, functionality
and the composition of the spare parts
store. At the end of the ropeway inspection,
the service engineer writes a report containing
his recommendations. This provides a clear
overview of things that need to be remedied

Customer Support
29
A ropeway inspection brings security. The specialists
from Doppelmayr carry out a thorough inspection of the
installation and provide tips for optimal maintenance.
as soon as possible and items that can be expected
in the medium to long term. The recommendations
also contain suggestions for
optimal maintenance plus – to enable the customer
to make planning arrangements – a quotation
for eliminating any urgent issues along
with a proposed date for implementation.
Full support
For the customer, the inspection does not involve
significant human resources. A member
of staff is nonetheless welcome to accompany
the service engineer as he carries out the inspection
and then go through the report with
him afterwards. The specialists from Doppelmayr
explain their recommendations in detail
along with the possible consequences. Support
can also be provided in dealings with the
authorities if necessary. Over the years, Doppelmayr
has been able to acquire a wealth of
expertise on all things related to ropeways and
is pleased to enable customers to benefit from
its experience.
Fail-safety and reliability
The detailed report at the end of the inspection
provides, above all, security. The customer
knows what needs to be done and can be
certain he is doing the right thing. Mediumand
long-term recommendations and a spare
parts stock check also make it easier to plan
for investments. Ropeway inspections enable
targeted preventive maintenance of the installation.
That increases the service life and the
reliability of components. It also improves operator
and passenger satisfaction and ensures
optimal safety. Ultimately, ropeway availability
is the basis for commercial success. A functional
installation makes for happy ropeway
operators and guests. |
Make a date now for your
ropeway inspection:
aftersales@doppelmayr.com
+43 5574 604

Austrian hospitality
at the Olympic Games
Doppelmayr was not just present at the
2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang but
very much a part of it. A total of 22 Doppelmayr
ropeways brought athletes to the events.
And they did so with great success. The special
taskforce put in place for the occasion did
not have to be deployed even once. All the
installations operated with total reliability. The
comfortable trips on these lifts may well have
spurred on Austria’s team of athletes because
Doppelmayr’s home nation came away from
the Games with five gold, three silver and six
bronze medals. This success was celebrated
by athletes, ropeway professionals and
other guests at Austria House. The Austrian
sports stars were also joined by international
medal winners like Lindsey Vonn and André
Myhrer. Some of them didn’t want to miss the
opportunity to try out the seats on the exhibited
Doppelmayr chair or in the cabin. “Once
again, the collaboration between Doppelmayr
and the Austrian Olympic Committee was outstanding,”
sums up Michael Doppelmayr, who
traveled out to Korea to attend the opening
ceremony. “For us, this also provided an excellent
opportunity to show our Korean customers
some Austrian hospitality.” |
© ÖOC / GEPA
© zhukovsky

In Brief
31
Libertador station:
One station for all
Award-winning quality
for Koblenz Cable Car
The Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland
gave architect Roberto Ameneiro Galdo a
special mention in the UIA Friendly and Inclusive
Spaces Award 2017 in the “New
Buildings” category for his design of the
Libertador station in La Paz-El Alto, Bolivia.
The jury honored this project as an outstanding
example of an inclusive space with
barrier-free features for all passengers. The
building itself was built in challenging terrain,
which made it necessary to give special
consideration to the question of accessibility.
The architect, Roberto Ameneiro Galdo, took
great care in implementing different physical
and visual elements to ensure a high level of
disabled-friendliness. The ropeway station,
where the yellow and green lines meet, is
adapted to suit wheelchair users as well as
people with impaired sight or hearing. Personnel
are on hand to help anyone needing
assistance to find their way through the station.
In the interests of inclusion of the indigenous
population, bilingual signage in Spanish
and Aymara is provided throughout the
building. The ropeway network is impressive
all round, with it user-friendliness and barrier-
free access for all passengers. |
Details of the award can
be found here:
Koblenz Cable Car is the first ropeway operating
company in Germany to be awarded
the quality seal “Service-oriented Organization
– ServiceQuality Germany Stage II”. With the
quality management system of the initiative
ServiceQuality Germany, service organizations
structure their internal processes and optimize
their services by means of targeted measures,
which they develop themselves and which form
the basis for certification. The objective is to
ensure service quality in the interests of their
guests. The seal remains valid until 2020. The
company was already awarded Stage I of the
quality certificate back in 2015 and has successfully
retained it ever since. The decisive
factor is first and foremost the service quality,
as lived and breathed by the employees. It is
their commitment that enabled the company
to achieve the certification. The Koblenz cable
car is Germany’s first tricable gondola lift and
has connected the park along the banks of the
Rhine near the Basilica of St. Castor with the
plateau in front of the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
since 2010. Last year, almost 700,000 guests
used the Koblenz cable car. |
Ski resort search made easy
Which ski resorts will have new lifts in the upcoming
winter sports season? This question can be easily
answered with the help of skiresort.de. The ski resort
test portal supported by Doppelmayr provides information
on some 5,500 destinations worldwide. It is now
possible to select ski resorts according to the ropeway
infrastructure they offer. With just a few clicks, the website
will show you where new lifts have been opened,
where new ropeway installations are planned, and it is
even possible to search for specific ropeway types. At
the moment, skiresort.de is the only platform that has
information available on all new ropeways worldwide at
the start of the season. |
Imprint
Proprietor, editor and publisher: Doppelmayr Seilbahnen
GmbH, Postfach 20, Konrad-Doppelmayr-Straße 1, 6922 Wolfurt,
Austria, dm@doppelmayr.com, doppelmayr.com; text and
editing: Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH in collaboration with
ikp Vorarlberg GmbH, www.ikp.at; graphics and layout:
Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH in collaboration with
KONZETT BRENNDÖRFER, www.agenturkb.com; photos:
Doppelmayr; printing: Thurnher, Rankweil; editorial policy
pursuant to §25 Media Act: up-to-date information for
customers, partners and employees of the Doppelmayr/
Garaventa Group; publication frequency: the magazine is
published three times a year and distributed free of charge to
customers and partners of the Doppelmayr Group. Reprinting
only permitted with statement of source and explicit written
authority; status: April 2018; errors and omissions except ed;
General Terms and Conditions apply.
doppelmayr.com

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Thank you!
Visions. They empower us to continually rise to new heights. Ideas that we cherish. They enable us to strive for excellence.
It was your visions and ideas that we implemented in 2017. Worldwide. Your trust is also our driving force for the future. And
that’s why we want to say thank you.
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