WIR 01/2019 [EN]

International Projects
25
Barrier-free access to the Palinkopf
The new Gampen lift offers passengers
with impaired mobility simple and safe
access as well as optimal comfort. The seat
dividers on the D-Line chairs can be removed
to allow monoskiers a barrier-free trip.
Claudia Lösch is looking forward to a great
day’s skiing in Ischgl. The abundant fresh
snow and brilliant sunshine promise perfect
outdoor fun on the ski trails. The monoskier
and former disabled sportswoman starts off
from the bottom station of the Silvretta lift in
the center of Ischgl. In her wheelchair, she
takes the elevator up to the platform. The
Funitel from Doppelmayr then brings her
straight to the ski area. On arrival at the top
station, the double Olympic champion at
Vancouver 2010 swaps over to her sit-ski,
which was specially developed for wheelchair
users.
In her active racing career, Lösch, who is
originally from Lower Austria and now lives in
Innsbruck, has got to know a host of ski
resorts worldwide. Accessibility and lift installations
are major issues in her choice of ski
region. “Chairlifts and surface lifts are what I
like best,” she says. Her sports equipment can
easily be used on surface lifts by fixing a rope
to the moniski’s seat or on chairlifts by adjusting
the seat height on her monoski.
Accessibility for all
From the Palinkopf, Claudia Lösch cuts elegant
curves as she skis down the long and
spectacular run to the bottom station of the
Gampen lift. The entrance to the lift is level and
easily accessible. This enables Claudia to
rapidly reach the loading area. Once there, a
member of the ropeway crew briefly stops the
lift. With a simple flick of the wrist, he removes
the seat divider in the middle the D-Line chair,
creating a level and wider seating area. “That
means I have unobstructed access to the seat.
Also, the low loading height and horizontal
seat surface on the Doppelmayr chair are extremely
practical,” emphasizes Claudia Lösch.
Closing the restraining bar is entirely straightforward
as the strap makes it particularly easy
to reach, which is an advantage for all chairlift
passengers. Austria’s 2016 disability sportswoman
of the year finds ample space between
the footrests and enjoys the breathtaking views
of Ischgl’s mountains during the uphill ride.
Disembarking at the top station is equally unproblematic
for Claudia: “A long and slightly
downward sloping unloading area like here is
helpful – that gives you enough time to get out
of the seat and the slope helps with forward
momentum.”
When developing the Doppelmayr D-Line,
safety and disabled-friendliness were major
priorities along with capacity and comfort in
order to ensure optimal accessibility and a
comfortable uphill ride for all passengers –
from skiers, snowboarders and adaptive skiers
to seniors and children. Nonetheless, Claudia
Lösch still sees potential for improvement: “It
would be good if you could remove several seat
dividers at once – that would be a great advantage
at ski resorts which are hotspots for
sit-skiers. Then several of us could use a chair
at the same time.” This is a feature that can
be readily accommodated at the customer’s
request.
The seat divider can be removed with a simple
flick of the wrist.
Monoskiers find ample space between the
footrests.
Breathtaking: Claudia Lösch enjoys the views
of Ischgl’s mountains.