WIR 02/2020 [EN]

The Customer Magazine of the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group Issue 2/2020 45th Year/No. 211
Witches are on
the loose in Söll
New 10-passenger Hexenwasser
gondola lift
CO 2
study
The ropeway as environmentally
friendly transport solution
Lünersee
tramway
Modernized reversible aerial tramway
to Austria’s most picturesque location
10-MGD Hexenwasser, Söll, Tyrol (AUT)

2
Contents
6
Ropeway, streetcar or bus?
An experts’ study clarifi es the environmental friendliness of different means
of transport in a direct comparison.
17
15
New world record with tricable gondola lift
Visitors to the Vietnamese island Cat Ba can look forward to a unique ride on a world-record
ropeway from Doppelmayr/Garaventa – with spectacular views to go with it.
A Monorack through forests
and meadows
The fl exible and effi cient single-track rack-and-pinion
railway provides an impressive solution for passenger
and material transport to a Swiss alpine pasture.

Foreword
3
12
Dependable partner
in challenging times
It is thanks to the trust you have placed in our company over the years that we
have been able to continually report growth and new records. We now find
ourselves in a period where we are all facing a severe economic damper.
Covid-19 has struck a major blow to all sectors of tourism: winter, summer,
national and international. This means that 80% of our Group’s business activities
are confronted with challenges that no one could have predicted.
Doppelmayr Direct Drive
The Doppelmayr Direct Drive is a gearless, low-maintenance
and whisper-quiet drive solution.
The pandemic crisis has hit the very economic sector that is dedicated to bringing
enjoyment to people’s lives and offering them well-earned leisure time
particularly hard. In places where emotions and wow factors create lifelong
memories. Where we can take a deep breath and switch off from the stresses
and strains of the daily routine. Our ropeway installations enable people to enjoy
nature in all its many facets and to marvel at places they might not otherwise
have reached. As a key element in a custom-tailored tourism offer, ropeways
that create unique experiences in winter and summer are built in unique regions.
Respect for the natural environment and the conservation of resources are an
integral part of our solutions because we are fully aware of their importance for
our future and for the next generations.
Over the past months, limited travel opportunities along with mandated rules
and restrictions have been making life extremely difficult for tourism. This is a
situation that has never been seen before and never with such global reach. It is
precisely for this reason that we want to continue to be a solid and dependable
partner to our customers, both now and in the future. We fi rmly believe that people
will travel again in the future; that they will be able to enjoy nature again; that
they will ride across the ocean in Vietnam, for example, take the aerial tram up
to Austria’s Lünersee, clip on their skis in the world’s ski resorts, and head off to
make tracks on the slopes. We see it as our main task to provide strong support
for our customers, particularly in difficult times – unfailing reliability of the kind
championed and exemplified by our predecessors. We look forward to standing
shoulder to shoulder with you in the very near future!
28
New training center
The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Ropeway Training Center offers
course participants top-class facilities for comprehensive
training from the professionals.
Thomas Pichler
István Szalai
Executive Directors Doppelmayr Holding SE

4 Facts & Figures
Pulling off 260 kilometers of rope
Within the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group,
Garaventa is the specialist for rope installation
work. In fi scal 2019/20 alone, their workforce
achieved an incredible feat: More than 260 kilometers
of rope was installed on 35 ropeways.
This is the equivalent of the distance between
Paris and Brussels as the crow fl ies. Installing
the rope is a process that is not always straightforward.
It calls for a lot of experience and skill,
especially in the case of special ropeways.
Helicopters are often used for this purpose –
they also provide the source for spectacular
photo shots during ropeway construction. Particularly
impressive jobs last year included the
rope installation on the world-record Cat Ba
ropeway in Vietnam (see report on page 15)
with 17 kilometers of track rope and the tricable
gondola lift 3K K-onnection on the Kitzsteinhorn
in Austria’s Kaprun region with 19 kilometers.
Total rope length in 2019/2020:
260,320 m
Equivalent of straight line
between Paris and Brussels.
PARIS (FRA)
BRUSSELS (BEL)
x11
Total rope weight:
2,322,129 kg
Total rope weight is heavier than
11 blue whales.
300 million ropeway trips
In La Paz and El Alto, ropeway travel has become
all part of the daily routine. Citizens of
the adjacent Bolivian cities use the world’s
biggest ropeway network to get to work or
their leisure-time activities. It is also the number
one tourist attraction. In July 2020, the operating
company announced a remarkable statistic:
Between May 2014 and July 2020,
295,579,381 passengers traveled on Mi Teleférico.
To achieve this fi gure, the total population of
Austria would have to use the ropeway roughly
34 times.
Mi Teleférico
295,579,381
passengers
Mi Teleférico
Facebook:

Facts & Figures
5
Everything in one place at
the new Ropeway Training Center
At the new Ropeway Training Center in Dornbirn,
Austria, the ropeway specialist is offering
courses for customers in ideally equipped
seminar rooms. Ropeway personnel receive
top training based on theoretical and practical
exercises. The instructors are experienced engineers
and technicians from a range of disciplines
within the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group
as well as external experts. Courses are available
with different levels of difficulty and can
be booked on a one-off or follow-on basis. Individually
tailored course programs are also
possible. The team from the Ropeway Training
Center takes care of participants during the
courses and makes the necessary arrangements
from arrival to departure as part of a
no-worries package. Further details on the
Ropeway Training Center can be found on
page 28.
Check out the available courses
and general information relating
to the program:
680 m 2 training space for all courses offered –
theoretical and practical exercises
400 m 2 additional storage space
for teaching aids
2 separate seminar rooms for rope grips
140 m² seminar rooms for theory courses
60 m 2 office space for the training team
Hotels and restaurants within walking distance
On-site parking facilities
Together towards a sustainable future
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,
adopted by all United Nations Member States
in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace
and prosperity for people and the planet, now
and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), which
are an urgent call for action supported by all
countries in a global partnership.
and innovation in production and product features,
Doppelmayr/Garaventa offers state-of-
the same values and goals ensures a healthy
life. Joining forces with organizations that follow
the-art technology for sustainable and safe city future for the generations to come.
As a partner to UN Habitat, Doppelmayr/Garaventa supports
the program's values and SDGs, in particular the following:
Doppelmayr/Garaventa contributes to reaching
these goals. Mobility for all enhances the quality
of life and is a vital component for a green
future. Increasing urbanization and challenging
situations for traffi c and our environment require
innovative mobility concepts. Future mobility
should be sustainable, reliable, cost-effective,
eco-friendly and integrated. Ropeways meet all
of these criteria. People of all ages, heritages
and physical abilities can easily use this means
of transportation. With constant improvement
Ensure healthy lives and
promote well-being for all
at all ages
Build resilient infrastructure,
promote inclusive and
sustainable industrialization
and foster innovation
Make cities and human
settlements inclusive, safe,
resilient and sustainable
Strengthen the means of
implementation and revitalize
the global partnership for
sustainable development

6 Energieeffizienz
Ecological Footprint
Sustainable
urban mobility
with ropeways
Efficient transport systems ensuring urban mobility are the hallmark of attractive cities
with high quality of life. As an integral part of the local transit network, ropeways take
the transport infrastructure of any city to a new level. A life cycle analysis investigated
and compared the ecological footprint of different forms of urban transport. The ropeway
was shown to be the most environmentally friendly mobility solution.

Ecological Energieeffizienz Footprint 7

8 Ecological Footprint
Ecological analysis
of the different transport systems
Scenario: Línea Roja, La Paz (BOL)
Utilization: 69% (2,059 PPHPD)
Timeframe: 30 years
Urban mobility is a major economic
factor in our daily lives. Future-proof,
high-capacity means of transport have
to meet a wide range of requirements. They
have to offer high availability, guarantee comfortable
transport, be able to operate independently
of obstacles and traffic jams and
also have minimal environmental impact.
Every mode of transport has its merits, but
also its limits, and every traffic situation brings
with it specific needs. These factors have to
be taken into consideration in the choice of
a mobility solution. In view of the current discussions
on climate change, the ecological
aspect certainly plays an important role.
Independent CO 2
study
The sustainability experts at denkstatt GmbH
examined and compared the CO 2
footprints of
different modes of public transport on the
basis of a scientific life cycle analysis. In accordance
with the standards ISO 14040 and
14044, the life cycle assessments of a ropeway,
buses and a fictitious streetcar were evaluated.
A Bolivian transport example was used
for the purposes of the study. This involves a
route in La Paz, which is now covered by the
urban ropeway line known as the “Línea Roja”.
The Doppelmayr/Garaventa ropeway system
opened in 2014 extends over an aerial length
of 2.35 kilometers from the center of La Paz
to El Alto. As an alternative, the transport connection
could have been provided by buses
or a streetcar over a 12.4-kilometer route by
road. To ensure unequivocal comparability, the
mobility requirements were combined to form
a functional unit (same transport capacity,
identical operating hours, etc.).
Ropeway has smallest CO 2
footprint
The ecological analysis showed the ropeway
to be the most environmentally friendly mobility
solution. Assuming an operating lifetime of
30 years, the ropeway produces less than a

Ecological Footprint
9
quarter of the tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
(tCO 2
eq) generated by the other means of
transport (see graphic). The ropeway therefore
has the smallest CO 2
footprint. The results of
the study were audited by three independent
institutions. Martin Beermann from JOANNEUM
RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH made
the following statement: “The study Carbon
Footprint of a Doppelmayr Cable Car in La
Paz and Comparison with Tram or Bus fully
complies with the ISO 14040 and 14044
standards (CO 2
emissions).”
In La Paz, the urban ropeways carry over
300,000 commuters and tourists on a daily
basis. The Línea Roja is an important part of
the world’s biggest urban ropeway network,
which was built in six years by Doppelmayr/
Garaventa acting as general contractor. The
South American metropolis has a total of ten
lines that provide a huge time saving for journeys
to work, enable comfortable mobility for
all, and provide an environmentally friendly
means of travel that is integrated into the
transport system and harmonizes with the
cityscape.
Interested in finding out more about the study?
Check out the fact sheet:
lapaz.doppelmayr.com/facts

10 Interview
Tales from Hexenwasser Söll
WIR spoke with Mario Gruber and Walter Eisenmann, managing directors
of Berg- & Skilift Hochsöll GmbH & Co. KG
professional manner. Thanks to the great
commitment on the part of all employees and
partner companies, the tight time schedule
was met and the season was able to start at
the beginning of August.
WIR. The Hexenwasser installation is to
operate all year round. What can guests look
forward to in the winter?
Walter Eisenmann: The LED illumination
of the cabins is set to be a real eye-catcher in
the winter. They will create colorful accents
during night skiing and tobogganing from
6.30pm to 9.30pm on Wednesday through
Saturday. The choice of colors yellow, green,
blue and red can be individually selected for
each individual cabin and provides a perfect
fit for our illuminated toboggan run – the
“Witches’ Ride”.
WIR. The new gondola lift is a D-Line. What
were the deciding factors for choosing this
product?
WIR. The Hexenwasser (“witches’ water”)
gondola lift has been operating since August 1
and the theme makes it unique. What’s in
store for guests?
Walter Eisenmann: The highlight of our
new lift is the experience for our guests during
the trip. A story relating to the “witches’ water”
is told in each of the 72 cabins. The tales are
narrated by local people from Söll. Children
and adults provided an enthusiastic audience
during the studio recordings. The stories are
about old customs, legends and adages revolving
around Söll and the Hohe Salve. The
farmers and the wise old women acquired a lot
of knowledge by observing nature, and that’s
reflected in the tales. The members of the Söll
brass band recorded soundtracks relating to
the stories – this “Witches’ Symphony” provides
the musical accompaniment.
WIR. Spring 2020 marked an important
phase in the implementation of the new
gondola lift. What impact did the coronavirus
pandemic have on the construction work?
What was the experience of the teams during
this period?
Mario Gruber: The Covid-19 situation
delayed the start of construction by about
three weeks. We introduced a wide range of
measures to ensure the best possible safety
for all workers. This included wearing visors,
organized break times and intensified hygiene
measures. These things quickly became routine
and were adopted by everyone in a very
Mario Gruber: Together with Doppelmayr,
we’ve created a real gem with the new lift. The
ropeway technology meets all our requirements
in terms of enhanced comfort and
quality for our resort. We were particularly
impressed at the fact that we were able to
implement such a high level of individual styling.
The D-Line brings us precisely the right
attributes. It’s very comfortable during the
trip, quiet in operation and offers benefits for
our crew. Another great feature is the control
of our entertainment offer. Our employees
can do it all conveniently from their desks.
The positive feedback we got from our guests
in the first days of operation certainly confirms
that we made the right decisions. The direct
drive is also a great advantage because it
means you now have virtually no noise in the
top station.
WIR. Many thanks for the interview.

Main Project
11
Rendezvous with the witch
10-MGD Hexenwasser | Söll, Tyrol (AUT)
Berg- & Skilift Hochsöll GmbH & Co. KG
1,830 m 419 m 3,200 PPH 6.0 m/s 6.76 min 72 cabins 08/2020
At Hexenwasser in Söll, everything is inspired
by witches – including the new D-Line
gondola lift.
Since August 2020, visitors to Söll have been
able to look forward to a very special gondola
lift. The “Hexenwasser” (witches’ water) installation
is part of an exciting experiential world
that has guests carried away by the witches’
spell from the moment they begin the ride. Different
stories are told in the 72 cabins, making
the 7-minute trip particularly entertaining. Each
cabin has its own design, with great emphasis
placed on comfort and top-notch technology
on the inside. The upholstery of the individual
seats is made of leather and, for optimal
acoustics on board, a felt ceiling system has
been fitted.
from Fatzer. The RPD Nexo System ensures
high availability and safety. This totally reliable
early warning system immediately identifies
any wind-induced deviation of the rope and
automatically adjusts rope speed accordingly.
The operator always has a complete overview
with the ropeway control system Doppelmayr
Connect. In the case of the Hexenwasser gondola
lift, the station control system is also integrated
into Doppelmayr Connect. The parking
and launching of carriers onto the line is now
much easier and more transparent, with the
option of mobile operation using a tablet.
A true highlight in the winter
Night skiing is a popular attraction in Söll for
winter guests, who can also whizz down the
mountain on toboggans during the evening
hours. In the upcoming winter season, the
gondola lift is set to provide a special highlight
as the cabins can be illuminated in different
colors. In line with the SMART Ropeway concept
and innovative integration, the lighting
options – and also the story-telling – can be
controlled from a computer in the offices of
Berg- & Skilift Hochsöll, which is an added
convenience for staff.
Superlative ropeway technology
The D-Line gondola lift replaces an 8-passenger
gondola lift built in 1988 and boasts many technical
refi nements. The Doppelmayr Direct Drive
provides effi cient operation and plays a major
part in ensuring that guests in Hexenwasser get
to enjoy a peaceful stay. The drive can’t be
heard, and this was a major specifi cation for the
project. The requirement for quiet operation was
also the reason for opting for the Performa rope

Doppelmayr Direct Drive: lowmaintenance
and whisper-quiet
The drive is the centerpiece of any ropeway installation. It has to deliver power and
reliability on the one hand while being low-maintenance and environmentally friendly
on the other. The Doppelmayr Direct Drive meets all these requirements. Its modular
construction also brings many benefits in day-to-day operations.
Every ropeway is unique – with specific
solutions to address the respective
needs. As a consequence, the
drive concept is also individually adapted
to suit requirements. Capacity and ecological
as well as economic efficiency are always
the focus for drives from Doppelmayr/
Garaventa. Different drive concepts with different
strengths and benefits enable customtailored
solutions.
The Doppelmayr Direct Drive (DDD) is
high-performance, energy-efficient and maintenance-friendly.
This drive uses a permanent
magnet synchronous motor, which is watercooled.
As the DDD does not require a gear
unit, no gearbox oil is required and therefore
the associated maintenance costs no longer
apply. At the same time, the efficiency of the
drive is very high. In terms of quiet running, the
DDD is also impressive: In direct comparison
with other drive concepts, the DDD has the
lowest noise emissions, which has a positive
impact on the environment – particularly when
the drive is housed in a bottom station located
in the center of a village.
Modular structure and high availability
The DDD has a modular construction. This
means the drive can be adapted to suit the
respective requirements and equipped with

Technology & Innovation
13
Stator
Benefits of the DDD:
Rotor
High reliability
Minimal maintenance thanks to
gearless drive
Spare parts available worldwide
Modular construction
Rotor shaft
Expansion stages: 1 to 4 rings
Fluid-cooled motor
Low-noise
Low-vibration
More peace and quiet for the
immediate environment
Check out the
DDD animation here:
one, two, three or four rings – depending on
the necessary power output. In addition, each
ring consists of three segments. The modular
design also brings benefits in day-to-day
operations. In the case of a DDD with three
rings, for example, the ropeway can continue
to run with 89% of its nominal torque in the
event that one segment should fail on one of
the rings. High availability is guaranteed at
all times as a result. Individual rings or other
subcomponents can be replaced outside of
operating hours – should the need arise. The
use of highly developed industrial components
also means that the availability of spare parts
is guaranteed worldwide.
When it comes to installation, the modular
design of the DDD again pays off: All components
– the heaviest being the stator at
2.75 tons – can be transported to the station
by helicopter and permit straightforward and
rapid assembly. This is a great advantage as
the top stations of ropeway installations are
frequently positioned in exposed mountain
locations with no means of access for trucks.
Integrated with Doppelmayr Connect
The DDD is used on many D-Line installations
from Doppelmayr/Garaventa. Information on
motor temperature, speed and torque are
clearly displayed on the ropeway control system
Doppelmayr Connect – giving the ropeway
operative the best possible overview of key
drive parameters at all times.
DDD references (excerpt):
6-CLD-B Malga Montagnoli-Monte Spinale,
Madonna di Campiglio (ITA)
6-CLD-B Levi West, Levi (FIN)
10-MGD Flégère, Chamonix Mont-Blanc (FRA)
8/10-CGD Zinsbergbahn, Brixen im Thale (AUT)
10-MGD Planaibahn, Schladming (AUT)
10-MGD Stuanmandlbahn, Gerlos (AUT)
8-CLD-B Ramcharger 8, Big Sky (USA)
8-CLD-B Muldenbahn, Leogang (AUT)
6/10-CGD Sunrise Express, Ishiuchu (JPN)
10-MGD Kohlmaisbahn, Saalbach (AUT)
6-CLD-B Waidoffen, Hochfügen (AUT)

14 International Projects
Family-friendly ski resort
8-CLD-B SenderExpress | Lofer, Salzburg (AUT)
Bergbahn-Lofer GmbH
1,197 m 284 m 3,400 PPH 5.0 m/s 4.6 min 64 8-seater chairs D-Line
The new 8-seater SenderExpress chairlift
at Almenwelt Lofer offers great comfort and
safety.
Almenwelt Lofer is continually investing to
secure its position as a trailblazer in terms of
family friendliness. The 8-passenger Sender-
Express chairlift, which has replaced a fixedgrip
quad since the 2019/2020 winter season,
marks the successful completion of another
major step in this direction. The new D-Line
installation is fitted with the autolock system.
This ensures that the restraining bar is automatically
closed after loading and remains
locked during the trip. Once the chair arrives
at the top station, the restraining bar is opened
again automatically. For children in particular,
this feature means enhanced safety. A loading
conveyor in the bottom station makes for easier
boarding. As well as bubbles and heated
seats, the SenderExpress offers passengers
plenty of comfort. With a transport capacity of
3,400 passengers an hour, long waiting times
have also become a thing of the past.
The SenderExpress was awarded the title of
“Best New Lift 2020” by Skiresort.de. We share
Almenwelt Lofer’s delight at this accolade.
We’re really pleased with the new, extremely
effi cient Doppelmayr D-Line installation, and
the feedback from our customers is very positive.
We have a large number of families with
small children who visit our ski area, so safe
travel up the mountain is
hugely important and a
key USP for our resort.
Willi Leitinger,
Managing Director,
Bergbahn-Lofer GmbH
Merkur funicular railway: barrier-free,
more comfortable and faster
30-FUL Merkur Funicular Railway | Baden-Baden, Baden-Württemberg (DEU)
Stadtwerke Baden-Baden
1,181 m 365 m 462 PPH 8.0 m/s 3.5 min
One of Germany’s longest funiculars has
undergone a general overhaul.
With grades of almost 55 percent, the funicular
up to Merkur Mountain ranks as one of the
longest and steepest in Germany. Since 1913,
it has brought day-trippers, hikers and nature
lovers up to Baden-Baden’s local peak. During
the course of a barrier-free upgrade, the funicular
was completely modernized.
The two new bigger cars, which each offer
seats for 12 passengers and standing room for
26, feature a retro design and went into service
in early June. At peak times, the speed of
the funicular can be increased to eight meters
per second. In addition, visitors now enjoy an
up-to-date and optimized ride experience up
Merkur Mountain thanks to panoramic windows
and a sophisticated ventilation system.
Barrier-free access, modern technology
Doppelmayr/Garaventa has upgraded the funicular
to state-of-the-art technology. The mechanical
and electrical equipment has been
completely replaced and is also designed for
fully automatic, unmanned operation. A novel
length compensation has been incorporated in
the drive to ensure that both cars have a fixed
stopping point in the stations. The buildings
have been adapted for barrier-free access
and exit while respecting the need to preserve
historic buildings.
For this purpose, an elevator was installed in
the top station, which ensures disabled-friendly
access to the panorama terrace of the mountain
restaurant.
We’re delighted that we can offer our
guests a comfortable ride
experience up Merkur
Mountain with a reliable,
ultramodern funicular.
Helmut Oehler, Head of
Stadtwerke Baden-Baden

International Projects
15
Island connection with world record
30-TGD Cat Hai – Phu Long cable car route | Cat Ba, Hai Phong (VNM)
Sun Group
3,864 m 3.5 m 5,500 PPH 8.5 m/s 8.6 min 60 30-passenger cabins 06/2020
© Sun World Cat Ba Cable Car
The tricable gondola lift to Vietnam’s vacation
island Cat Ba boasts the world’s tallest
ropeway tower.
Doppelmayr/Garaventa and Sun Group, one of
the leading companies in the Vietnamese travel
sector, have completed another world-record
ropeway. A high-capacity tricable gondola lift
provides a means of transport between Cat Hai
and Cat Ba, the popular destination for daytrippers
in Northern Vietnam. This installation
has the world’s tallest ropeway tower, which
rises up to a height of 214.8 meters and enables
passengers to enjoy stunning views along the
almost four-kilometer route across the ocean.
Comfort and safety
The new ropeway creates a fast and emissions-free
alternative to the previous options
of a time-consuming ferry trip or expensive
speedboat ride. The modern Taris cabins from
CWA offer barrier-free access and space for
30 passengers as well as convenient transport
for baby strollers, wheelchairs and bicycles.
The carriage wheel generator integrated into
the carriage of the cabins produces electricity
during the trip, which is used to power different
on-board functions. Needless to say, safety as
well as comfort is one of the hallmarks of the
installation, with the proven recovery concept
as an integral part of the design. In an evacuation
scenario, this allows the cabins to be
brought to the station, where the passengers
can disembark, and dispenses with the need
for a rescue from lofty heights on the line.
Important boost
As in many other countries, Vietnam’s tourism
has been hit by the coronavirus crisis. The new
lift is set to provide the region with the boost it
needs. Sun Group is pointing the way with the
new ropeway installation, which already has an
officially confirmed place in Guinness World
Records, and has also stressed that numerous
other developments are already planned for
the island.
Long-standing partner
Sun Group and Doppelmayr/Garaventa are
linked by a long-standing partnership. Together,
the two groups have already built many spectacular
ropeways in Vietnam. These include the
world’s longest tricable gondola lift connecting
the islands Hon Thom and Phu Quoc; the tricable
installation with the greatest vertical rise up
to Vietnam’s tallest mountain, the Fansipan;
and the world’s biggest aerial tramway cabin,
which enables Vietnam’s tourists to enjoy a trip
across Ha Long Bay. Anyone visiting Ba Na
Hills is also sure to reach their destination by
riding on one of the Doppelmayr/Garaventa
ropeways.
The cable car and the other high-class
tourism projects we have planned will bring
social security, create
jobs for people and help
the region to achieve a
rapid economic recovery.
Dang Minh Truong,
Chairman of Sun Group

Direct connection to the Giggijoch
10-MGD Hochsölden-Rotkogl Lift | Sölden, Tyrol (AUT)
Skiliftgesellschaft Sölden - Hochsölden GmbH
1,197 m 353 m 800 PPH 5.0 m/s 5.8 min 14 10-passenger cabins 12/2019 D-Line
The new Hochsölden-Rotkogl lift opens up
new possibilities for guests.
The new 10-passenger gondola lift brings the
hotel village Hochsölden even closer to the
Sölden ski area and provides a significant
boost in comfort. Since the 2019/20 winter season,
families with children have been able to
travel direct from the hotel up to the Giggijoch
– the central hub in the ski resort where the beginners’
area is located. The D-Line lift from
Doppelmayr/Garaventa replaces a double chairlift
that carried countless winter sports enthusiasts
during its 33 years of service. The positions
of the bottom and mid stations remain unchanged.
The new top station was moved slightly
downhill and is now located right next door to
the restaurant on the Giggijoch.
Trip time halved
With their comfortable individual seats and
generously proportioned panorama glazing,
the OMEGA V cabins offer top ride comfort
and a magnificent view. It now takes guests
less than six minutes to get to the mountain,
which is half the time required on the old lift.
In addition, the new Hochsölden-Rotkogl lift
scores on disabled-friendly access and exit
plus the option of night-time operations. The
gondola lift operates all year round, carrying
hikers and mountain bikers uphill in the
summer.
A special feature on this installation is the
mid station, which is particularly space-saving
thanks to its compact design. All guests wishing
to travel uphill can board or disembark
here. The trip from the mountain back to base
is direct, without stopping at the mid station.
The gondola lift is equipped with the ropeway
control system Doppelmayr Connect, which
provides a clear layout and straightforward
operation for the ropeway crew.
Slope upgrade
During the course of constructing the new
ropeway, the ski trails were also optimized.
Narrow sections were widened, for example,
ensuring greater safety and enhanced enjoyment
for winter sports practitioners.
The new lift enables skiers and winter sports
enthusiasts to get to Hochsölden and into
the ski area. As the last winter season
demonstrated, large numbers of guests in
Hochsölden are using the new Rotkogl lift
together with the Giggijoch
lift to reach Sölden.
Lukas Reinstadler,
Operations Director,
Skiliftgesellschaft Sölden -
Hochsölden GmbH

International Projects
17
By Monorack to the alpine pasture
Perroud Monorack | Vallée du Gros Mont, Canton Fribourg (CHE)
Patrick Perroud
950 m 449 m 4 PPH or 2 PPH plus 250 kg 0.7 m/s Honda engine, 270 ccm, 6.3 kW (8.6 PS), gasoline
45° 2019
Butcher and farmer Patrick Perroud has
recently started using a Monorack to bring
materials and grazing cattle up to his alpine
pasture.
worked all out on the new alignment. The hard
work paid off: At the beginning of July 2019,
the installation was officially handed over to
Patrick Perroud.
The Swiss canton of Fribourg has lots of alpine
pastures with no vehicle access. One of these
is the Alpage les Planeys Dessus, which lies
at an elevation of 1,476 meters in the Gastlosen
region of Fribourg and belongs to Patrick
Perroud. He is an avid butcher and farmer,
who from May through September grazes his
animals on the steep slopes of the Hochmatt.
The alpine pastures can only be reached via
long, steep mountain paths and lie 500 meters
above the valley floor. The search for a simple
and reliable transport solution led Patrick
Perroud to Garaventa AG. The Monorack, a fl exible
and effi cient single-track rack-and-pinion
railway with gasoline engine drive, immediately
impressed Patrick Perroud. It’s the ideal solution
for passenger and material transport in the
steep piece of forest below his alpine pasture,
which is difficult to access.
Joint project
The line starts direct from the small river Ruisseau
du Gros Mont and leads steeply uphill for
one complete kilometer, mostly through dense
forest and over rocky ground. It is only in the
upper section that the trees become sparser
and the view of the meadows and grazing
cattle opens up. When the work commenced
in April 2019, there was still snow on the ground.
Patrick Perroud’s goal was nonetheless to
have the new installation up and running for
the next summer grazing season. With this end
in mind, not only the team from Garaventa AG,
but also Patrick Perroud’s diligent helpers
Livestock transport
A great advantage of the Monorack is that the
carriers can largely be combined to suit the
specific needs of the owner. Different components
are available for passenger and material
transport. This means, for instance, that Patrick
Perroud can safely carry an animal down to
the valley when necessary.
Visit our new website for
more info on the Monorack:
Operating a Monorack is simple. I can stop
anywhere I like along the line for loading
or unloading. I’m delighted with the high
payload, flexibility and the rugged design.
Patrick Perroud, Farmer

18 International Projects
Capacity and comfort upgrade for winter
sports enthusiasts in Steamboat
8-MGD Steamboat Gondola | Steamboat Springs, Colorado (USA)
Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation
2,707 m 663 m 3,600 PPH 6.0 m/s 137 8-passenger cabins 11/2019
The Steamboat Gondola in Colorado has
been completely replaced in two phases.
In 1986, Doppelmayr built the world’s fi rst
8-passenger gondola lift in Steamboat Springs,
Colorado. After more than 30 years of service,
Steamboat desired to upgrade this key installation
to meet their future needs, and in 2019,
the new Steamboat Gondola with the same
alignment was realized. Construction of the
new lift was carried out in two phases: the fi rst
from May 2018 up to the start of the 2018/19
ski season, and the second from May 2019 to
November 2019. This meant that, despite the
rebuild, the lift was able to operate for guests
during the important winter periods for the US
ski resort. The tight time schedule left no room
for delays – Doppelmayr/Garaventa completed
the lift on time for the start of the 2019/20
winter season.
Optimal loading and unloading
In comparison with its predecessor, the Steamboat
Gondola scores with an increase in capacity
from 2,800 to 3,600 passengers an hour.
This increase was achieved by adapting the
boarding process in the stations. The barrierfree
loading and unloading areas have been
extended, giving passengers more time and
enhanced convenience when boarding and
disembarking from the cabins. In addition, travel
speed has been increased from 5.0 m/s
to 6.0 m/s and more cabins provided. The
installation is used not only for passenger
transport but also to carry freight up to the
mountain restaurants. On average, Steamboat
moves 10,000-12,000 lbs of food per day with
the gondola.
For Steamboat Ski Resort, choosing Doppelmayr
as their partner for the new lift installation was
an easy decision to make in view of the successful
track record of the old lift spanning more
than three decades. Steamboat Springs has
another 19 ropeways supplied by Doppelmayr.
Impressions of the project
from construction to
opening can be found here:
We’ve been working successfully with
Doppelmayr for over 30 years. The
professionalism and dedication of their
teams have yet again
been a huge success in
the Steamboat Gondola
project. Dave Hunter,
VP Mountain Operations,
Steamboat Ski and
Resort Corporation

A ropeway to heaven’s gate
26-TGD Tianmenshan 3S Express | Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province (CHN)
Hunan Zhangjiajie Tianmenshan Tourism Co., Ltd.
1,209 m 698 m 4,000 PPHPD 7.0 m/s 12/2019
In China, visitors of a natural treasure
reach their mountain experience by a new
Doppelmayr/Garaventa 3S gondola lift.
The 1,519 m high mountain Tianmenshan is
well known for its scenic landscape. It translates
to “Heaven’s Gate Mountain” and got
its name from a naturally formed arch on top
of the mountain. Thanks to this unique spot,
located in the Tianmenshan National Park in
Hunan Province (CHN), this mountain has
become a popular tourist attraction for local
and international guests. A new ropeway was
built to offer a new and reliable access to the
mountain and at the same time eliminate bus
traffic to the arch.
To meet the demands of this very special location
and the high capacity, only the 3S gondola
lift from Doppelmayr/Garaventa was suitable.
The terrain is very steep with up to 44.7° inclination
and the required rope span is more
than one kilometer. Due to the limited available
space for the top station, the planning was quite
challenging for the engineers. Doppelmayr/
Garaventa worked closely together with the
involved construction teams. With clever
construction plans and well-coordinated civil
works, they were able to manage a successful
site organisation of this impressive installation.
The guests now benefi t from a comfortable ride
on a state-of-the-art ropeway. It not only saves
traveling time, but also offers a beautiful view
thanks to the 360-degree panorama windows
of the cabins.
The Doppelmayr 3S is very reliable, with a
high transport capacity and a first-class ride
experience. The cooperation between us is
very pleasant and we are looking forward to
more opportunities for cooperation
in the future!
Zhang Tongsheng,
President of Hunan
Zhangjiajie Tianmenshan
Tourism Co., Ltd.

Pearl of the Alps with cutting-edge aerial tramway
65-ATW Lünerseebahn | Brand, Vorarlberg (AUT)
illwerke vkw AG
893 m 411 m 475 PPHPD 10.0 m/s 2.7 min 1 65-passenger cabin 08/2020
The Lünersee tram in Vorarlberg has been
completely modernized.
The Lünersee (Lüner Lake) in Vorarlberg is
well-known as a pearl of the Alps and for being
one of the most picturesque spots in Austria.
The mountain lake captivates visitors with its
gleaming turquoise water and provides an excellent
starting point for hiking tours as well as
enjoying great popularity among anglers and
nature lovers. Those with an interest in engineering
can marvel at the huge dam. All this
makes the Lünersee one of the region’s major
attractions for summer tourism. The best way
to reach the reservoir is the Lünerseebahn.
Since August 2020, the reversible aerial tramway
has shone in an entirely new splendor with
new ropeway technology and an increased
transport capacity.
Now just one tower
Originally built in 1959 to carry material up to
the construction site for the dam, the aerial
tramway has undergone a complete modernization.
As well as providing enhanced comfort
in the brand-new cabin, the tramway boasts a
significant increase in transport capacity – by
more than 100 passengers an hour. The cabin
can now carry 65 passengers rather than the
previous 47. The installation has also been
converted to a double track rope system,
which means higher wind stability during the
trip. The most striking visual change is the
reduction from two towers to just one. The
large steel tower was installed within a very
short time frame, from October to December
2019, as the construction crew had perfect
weather on their side.
New technology with traditional looks
The existing buildings of the upper and lower
terminals have been retained. This was no
simple task, but thanks to the experience of
the team from Doppelmayr/Garaventa, the new
drive was optimally integrated into the upper
terminal. As the tensioning forces of the new
track ropes are greater, the terminal had to be
additionally anchored in the rock by means of
anchoring rods and a foundation. The work
has proved worthwhile: The original character
of the iconic Lünersee tramway has been
retained, while the technology on the inside is
state of the art. This cutting-edge installation
therefore provides a fresh boost to the attractiveness
of the region for tourism. The new
tramway went into service at the beginning of
August 2020 after a short delay due to the
Covid-19 situation.
The new, ultramodern Lünersee tramway will
make the Lünersee an even more attractive
destination for our summer
guests in future.
Markus Burtscher,
Managing Director,
Golm Silvretta Lünersee
Tourismus GmbH

International Projects
21
New lease of life for Caribbean funicular
30-FUL El Conquistador | Fajardo, Puerto Rico (USA)
El Conquistador Resort, Fajardo
170 m 71 m 380 PPH 2.5 m/s 1.2 min 2 cars (2 independent systems) 03/2020
The funicular El Conquistador in Puerto
Rico connects a hotel with its own private
marina.
The expansive hotel complex El Conquistador
is located on a cliff site in Fajardo, a major
harbor town in Puerto Rico. Doppelmayr/
Garaventa has recently entirely upgraded the
funicular railway of the same name, which belongs
to the resort and links the hotel with its
marina. As part of the modernization, the iconic
funicular was equipped with two new cars
featuring generously proportioned panorama
glazing, air-conditioning and interior and
exterior lighting. The drive, control system and
platforms were also replaced. The control
system is fully automatic – the cars are called
in the same way as an elevator by pressing
a button. The funicular brings guests from the
hotel to the marina in just two minutes – the trip
could hardly be faster or more convenient.
Two systems for optimal availability
The funicular consists of two independent
systems, each with its own winch drive and
car. In periods of high demand, a second system
can be put into service. This means that
one installation is always available. If any
maintenance work has to be carried out, hotel
guests can still be brought to the marina. The
original funicular was also based on this con-
cept and proved to be highly successful for
the operators.
Flexibility and perseverance
The project duration was exceptionally long.
Work on the rebuild began back in 2016. A
change in hotel ownership and above all the
devastating hurricane Maria brought a halt
to construction lasting almost three years. In
fall 2019, work on the Garaventa installation
was fi nally able to resume. Everyone involved
demonstrated their flexibility and perseverance.
Now the funicular once again shines in a
new splendor. The installation adds to the attractiveness
of the hotel complex as a whole
as it gives the resort a unique character.

First D-Line for Madonna di Campiglio
6-CLD-B Malga Montagnoli–Monte Spinale | Madonna di Campiglio (ITA)
Funivie Madonna Di Campiglio SpA
1,415 m 337 m 2,800 PPH 5.0 m/s 4.7 min 81 6-seater chairs 12/2019 D-Line
Doppelmayr Direct Drive
The Doppelmayr Direct Drive (DDD) housed
in the top station offers high power and requires
extremely low maintenance thanks to
its gearless design concept. The fact that the
DDD is also very quiet is an added benefit for
both passengers and the environment. The
ropeway control system Doppelmayr Connect
enables straightforward, intuitive operation.
The new RPD Nexo system for rope position
monitoring ensures maximum safety and
availability of the ropeway installation, and is
totally dependable even in the most adverse
weather conditions.
The new 6-seater chairlift Malga Montagnoli–
Monte Spinale brings outstanding technology
and a signifi cant comfort upgrade for the ski
resort.
Since the 2019/2020 winter season, the
Italian ski resort Madonna di Campiglio has
boasted its very first D-Line. The new 6-seater
chairlift replaces a double chairlift and impresses
with performance, cutting-edge technology
and plenty of comfort for passengers.
The comfortable individual seats are heated
and, along with the bubbles, guarantee a particularly
pleasant uphill ride in all weathers.
With a capacity of 2,800 passengers an hour,
waiting times at the bottom station are now
history.
One of the chairlift’s special features is the
curve that forms part of the route and stretches
over three towers. This measure meant that the
alignment could be taken along the edge of
the ski trails, enabling winter sports fans to
make better use of the slopes.
This winter, almost 600,000 skiers used our
new chairlift, averaging 6,200 a day. This
investment in boosting customer satisfaction
is a great success for us,
as borne out by the many
positive comments.
Bruno Felicetti,
General Manager
Funivie Madonna Di
Campiglio SpA

International Projects
23
Space miracle: D-Line gondola lift
8-MGD Bürgeralpe Express | Mariazell, Styria (AUT)
Mariazeller Bürgeralpe Seilbahnbetriebs GmbH
+ WEDDING CABIN
(themed cabin, entirely
in white)
1,382 m 370 m 837 PPH (final phase: 1,200) 5.0 m/s 6.0 min 21 8-passenger cabins + 1
12/2019 D-Line
The Bürgeralpe Express is a custom-built
gondola lift from the center of the popular
Austrian pilgrimage destination Mariazell up
to its equally popular local mountain.
After 90 years of dependable service, the time
had come in fall 2018 to send one of Austria’s
oldest ropeways into retirement. In place
of the 24-passenger reversible aerial tramway
Mariazell–Bürgeralpe, a new 8-passenger
D-Line gondola lift now carries visitors up to
Mariazell’s local peak. During the trip, guests
get to enjoy a spectacular view of the adjacent
basilica of this historic place of pilgrimage.
D-Line makes it possible
A special feature requiring custom solutions
for the construction of the Bürgeralpe Express
was the limited space available at the bottom
station in the center of Mariazell. Thanks to
excellent planning and the possibilities provided
by the very finely structured modular
design concept of the D-Line, the new continuous-movement
ropeway could be precisely
tailored to requirements. Access to the bottom
station was moved to the second floor, which
had a positive impact on the alignment as well
as ensuring optimal passenger flow. The new
building structure preserves the harmony of
the townscape.
Ropeway as economic driver for the region
The modern installation from Doppelmayr/
Garaventa can carry up to 800 passengers an
hour and operates all year round. Passengers
have no problem taking their sports equipment
with them: skis and snowboards in the winter
and bikes in the summer. The ropeway is of
major importance as an economic driver for
the Mariazeller Land region and safeguards
many jobs. The unusual financing model for
the new lift was also a factor contributing to
its exceptional appearance. This included local
private sponsors, who have taken advantage
of using the cabins for advertising – creating
an individual and varied design.
The Bürgeralpe Express is the centerpiece of
the tourism drive by the Mariazeller Land region.
Johann Kleinhofer, Managing Director, Mariazeller
Bürgeralpe Seilbahnbetriebs GmbH

24 News from Around the World
Off to new heights
Big Sky and Loon are building two new
D-Line chairlifts to offer their guests utmost
comfort and state-of-the-art ropeway technology.
Boyne Resorts is the third-largest mountain
resort company in North America. It is a
collection of mountain and lakeside resorts,
attractions and ski areas – two of the latter
being Big Sky Resort and Loon Mountain
Resort. Two new lift installations are part of
transformative 10-year plans the resorts have
developed: Each of them announced they are
to build a fantastic D-Line chairlift for their
guests. Boyne Resorts has postponed the installation
of the new Swift Current 6 and Kanc 8
ski lifts until the summer of 2021 due to the
current Covid-19 emergency. “In order to ensure
the health of the construction workers
and to secure a smooth construction supply
chain in this complex and deadline-sensitive
construction project, it was the right decision
for us,” said Stephen Kircher, CEO and president,
Boyne Resorts. The lifts will now debut
in the 2021-2022 season.
next step in creating the most technologically
advanced lift network in North America, a key
pillar of the Big Sky 2025 vision.
Get a fi rst look at
Swift Current 6:
“Flight Path: 2030” is a 10-year plan of Loon
focused on transformative modern innovations
across the resort to support Loon's vision to
Pioneer The New New England. One major
element is Kancamagus 8, or Kanc 8, an
eight-seater D-Line chairlift with ergonomically
shaped heated seats and tinted bubbles. Set
to replace the Kancamagus Express Quad, the
Kanc 8 will transport 3,500 skiers per hour to
the top of some of Loon’s most popular terrain.
Featuring new Doppelmayr Direct Drive
(DDD) technology, a gearless drive allows
whisper-quiet operation and low maintenance,
while increasing energy efficiency.
Check out the new
Kancamagus 8:
Swift Current 6 in Big Sky is a new six-person,
high-speed chair with a signature Big Sky
Blue Bubble and ultrawide heated seats. It will
also become the fastest six-person chairlift in
North America. Swift Current 6 is the resort's

News from Around the World
25
Bergbahnen Steinplatte invests
in the future
The Steinplatte ski resort is flying in the
face of the coronavirus crisis and investing in
a new D-Line lift from Doppelmayr/Garaventa.
This decision will help the economy and safeguard
jobs for employees.
Last season, the operating company Bergbahnen
Steinplatte in the tri-border area of Salzburg-
Tyrol-Bavaria would have recorded the bestever
results in its history – had it not been for
the premature closure of the season mandated
as a result of the Covid-19 situation.
Despite the diffi culties involved in predicting
the long-term development of tourism in the
skiing and hiking region, managing director
Andreas Brandtner took the decision to invest
in a new ropeway installation. After 25 years
of service, the 6-seater Kapellenbahn chairlift
was demolished over the course of the summer
months. A new 8-seater chairlift belonging to the
D-Line ropeway generation from Doppelmayr/
Garaventa – complete with cutting-edge features
– is now under construction. The operating
company attaches great importance to
continuing to offer their personnel permanent
employment while simultaneously supporting
the local economy. The new lift could easily
have been built at a later date as the concession
for the existing installation had another
15 years to run. The ski resort is therefore giving
a clear signal in the region by demonstrating
strength and courage even in diffi cult times.
For guests, the new lift installation means
top quality and comfort, even with pandemic
regulations in place, and greater safety for
children in particular.
Construction
progress:
Two new lift installations at Snow Space Salzburg
Guests at Snow Space Salzburg will soon
be able to enjoy two new gondola lifts plus
additional ski trails.
Two new ropeways are currently under construction
at Snow Space Salzburg. The Panorama
Link is due to go into service as early
as this winter, providing a connecting lift to the
Flachauwinkl/Kleinarl ski area, and the Flying
Mozart gondola lift will boost comfort in Wagrain
from the 2021/2022 winter season.
Guests can look forward to over 200 kilometers
of ski trails thanks to the two new lifts. Together,
these two installations will provide the
technical means for linking up the ski areas of
Snow Space Salzburg and Shuttleberg. This
means that in future, winter sports enthusiasts
can enjoy everything the three resorts have to
offer from St. Johann/Alpendorf to Zauchensee
in just one day.
The Flying Mozart is to replace the old gondola
lift that provided 31 years of reliable service
Get a fi rst glimpse
of the Flying Mozart.
and will in future carry 4,000 passengers an
hour from the Kirchenboden district of Wagrain
up to the Grießenkareck. True to its name,
the Panorama Link will provide passengers
with stunning views of the Lower and High
Tauern during the 8-minute trip in the comfortable
10-passenger cabins with panorama
glazing.

Turning a challenge
into an opportunity
2020 has been marked by an experience that will go down in the history books:
a pandemic of global proportions that concerns us all and affects our lives in different ways.
The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group and every individual employee have had their very own
experiences in this exceptional period. Here we provide a brief status report.
We are learning every day and trying
to see these challenges as an opportunity.
And there were a significant
number of them over the past few months.
A virus that rapidly spread around the world
and has changed many things. In the area of
digitalization alone, we – like so many other
companies – have seen processes accelerate.
The IT departments in our Group have done
a fantastic job in setting up a large number of
workplaces to operate as home offices, providing
the required server capacity and enabling
our systems to run smoothly. This went
hand in hand with the further expansion of our
communications options with digital programs.
Thanks to the determination to implement all
this as quickly as possible, it was possible
right from the outset to continue working rapidly,
flexibly and efficiently with colleagues,
partners and customers around the globe on
a remote basis.
The experiences of our colleagues at
Doppelmayr China in January and also at
Doppelmayr Italy were a contributing factor
in enabling us to adapt to the mandatory
Covid-19 regulations at an early stage. We set
the necessary measures in motion and even
implemented them before they were first
recommended and subsequently mandated
by governments.
The health and well-being of our teams and
fellow human beings has always been the top
priority from the start. Regular advice and
updates on the recommended precautionary

Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group
27
measures and rules of conduct ensured that
everyone had the very latest information. In
addition to tips on hygiene, this also included
travel and movement restrictions as well as
guidelines on social gatherings.
Our employees have been provided with
masks, and disinfectant is available at entrances
and exits. Room cleaning and disinfection
have been intensified, with new methods
also introduced in production areas. At
Doppelmayr Italy, for example, a solution
from the TechnoAlpin company EMI Controls
has been used. This involves a canon, as
used for snowmaking, which distributes a disinfectant
solution over large areas in production
spaces – a fast and effective measure.
Meetings and events have increasingly taken
the form of telephone and video conferences,
which has proved to be very useful. In future,
we shall continue to utilize such possibilities
and, on occasion, dispense with the need to
travel in the interests of sustainability. Today,
we can be reached by many means and we are
there for our customers, whether it’s a short
phone call, an email or a cautious meeting.
Because personal contacts are important. With
social distancing, it’s possible to nurture those
contacts and nonetheless show consideration
to one another.
We have a strong, confident and solutionsoriented
team who look to the future with
commitment, motivation and know-how for
their customers.
wash hands wear mask use disinfectant keep distance stay home
avoid crowds

28 Ropeway Training Center
The Ropeway Training Center
for developing specialists
Ropeway personnel are equipped with the know-how they need at the new training
center in Dornbirn.
O
ptimal safety, constant availability,
top comfort. These are the features
that set ropeways from Doppelmayr/
Garaventa apart. Operating companies can
reap the full potential of these installations
when their employees have received the
best possible training. Competent care of
the ropeways also reduces operating costs.
Doppelmayr/Garaventa has always provided
customer support in the area of employee
training, both directly on the installation and
at the offices of Doppelmayr/Garaventa. As a
mobile solution for training purposes, there is
an optimally equipped training container that
can be deployed rapidly and easily wherever
it is needed. In Austria, a new training center
was recently opened that will provide the focal
point for training activities.
For beginners and experts
Doppelmayr/Garaventa offers courses in all
areas of ropeway technology – electrical engineering,
hydraulics and mechanics. These can
be booked to address different levels, as oneoff
or as follow-on courses. Standard or entirely
tailored courses can be provided, depending
on learning goal and existing knowledge. The
instructors are experienced engineers and
technicians from different areas of expertise
within the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group, customer
support employees, operations directors
or external experts. While the basic courses are
recommended for all ropeway employees, the
advanced courses are required by those who
work on the ropeway itself or are responsible
for maintenance. Expert courses aim to provide
in-depth knowledge of the subject matter.
Practice makes perfect
Theory is great, but hands-on ability is even
better. For this reason, practical exercises play
an important role in training courses at Doppelmayr/Garaventa.
Participants get the chance to
practice on real ropeway equipment such as a
chair, hydraulic elements, the control system or
the tire conveyor. The Ropeway Training Center
has two types of Doppelmayr ropeway control
systems available along with the associated
components for training purposes including
troubleshooting: electric motor, hydraulic
tensioning unit, brakes and tensioning system.
There are also two dedicated seminar rooms
for rope grips, which have been specially
equipped for practical exercises such as dismantling
and reassembling grips. For on-site
training at the customer’s premises, there are

Ropeway Training Center
29
also training containers available with two ropeway
control systems – Doppelmayr Connect or
the Doppelmayr PSS 3000.
Face to face
With the new, fully equipped Ropeway Training
Center in Dornbirn, Vorarlberg, Doppelmayr/
Garaventa is offering customers and partners
even more benefits with the usual high quality
standard. All training courses are now held in
one place. Participants stay at a nearby hotel
that is within walking distance of the training
center. Parking facilities are available in front
of the building and the city also has plenty of
restaurants to choose from. Through the direct
contact with the training team, people taking
part in the courses get to know key personnel
and the customer support staff, and have the
opportunity to talk to them face to face. At the
same time, they get to see the Hohe Brücke
plant in Wolfurt or a ropeway installation and
possibly another Doppelmayr facility.
No-worries package
All arrangements throughout course attendance
are taken care of by the Ropeway Training
Center team. They look after the organization
and provide all the necessary assistance for
the participants – from arrival, accommodation,
course documents and meals through to any
transfers required to the airport or railroad station.
Everything is done for the convenience of
participants, who can then focus entirely on
acquiring new know-how.
The new training center in Dornbirn offers our
guests every amenity. We have created a cutting-edge
facility where we efficiently combine
theory and practice, and enable our international
guests to acquire specialist knowledge
to suit their specific needs. Johannes Köb,
Team Leader, Ropeway Training Center

30
In Brief
Thomas Hunziker is CWA’s
new CEO
Red Dot Award
for ATRIA
various management posts at companies
such as Pilatus Flugzeugwerke AG in Stans
in Switzerland and their subsidiaries in the
USA. From 2010 to 2015, he was CEO of
the operating company Lenzerheide Bergbahnen,
where he successfully implemented
the ski area link with Arosa.
Thomas Hunziker has headed CWA
Constructions SA/Corp as CEO since April
2020. He was born in Lucerne and had been
marketing and sales director and a member
of the executive board of Garaventa
AG since 2015. Prior to his career with the
Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group, Hunziker held
With this professional background, Thomas
Hunziker brings with him in-depth knowledge
of the industry, management experience and
a good instinct for market developments.
“Over the past few years, CWA has seen
strong growth and, with the OMEGA V and
the ATRIA, has launched two new products
onto the market and industrialized manufacture.
While these are huge challenges, they
also provide the best prerequisites for further
development of the company. We have
outstanding products and a highly motivated
team. I look forward to jointly shaping
the future of CWA and the ropeway industry
with my employees,” said Thomas Hunziker.
cwa.ch
Following in the footsteps of last year’s "Best
of the Best" award for the OMEGA V, CWA has
now received a new accolade with the Red Dot
Award: Product Design 2020 for its 3S cabin,
the ATRIA. This prestigious award is a seal that
identifies top design quality and is only conferred
for products that demonstrate design
excellence. According to the jury, the deciding
factor for the award was the consistent, understated
appearance that gives the ATRIA its
timeless elegance. The uncluttered cabin interior
creates a sense of calm and security.
With more than 6,500 products submitted for
the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2020 from
60 nations, this year marks a record number
of entries.
Marcel Nussbaumer is the new head of
marketing & sales at Garaventa
Marcel Nussbaumer was appointed as the
new marketing & sales director and a member
of the executive board of Garaventa AG in May
2020. He has already been a passionate team
member at the company for 16 years. Prior to
taking on this new role, he spent eleven years
as head of the project engineering department
for continuous-movement ropeways. In 2015,
he became a project manager in sales.
WIR invited Marcel to take part in a short word
association interview:
What fascinates me about ropeways is …
... the connection between nature and
technology and the feeling of elation
triggered by a ride on a ropeway.
For me, Doppelmayr/Garaventa is …
... a company where I feel good and
where I can live my values.
In my new role, I’m looking
forward to …
... lots of new encounters and tasks.
For the future, I would like to …
... implement many fantastic projects
with our customers and staff.

In Brief
31
Katharina Schmitz takes the helm
at Doppelmayr USA
Katharina Schmitz is the new president of
Doppelmayr USA, Inc. and the successor to
Mark Bee. She started at Doppelmayr USA
as Vice President Project Management in
2018 and was promoted to Vice President
of Operations with responsibility for production,
logistics and construction in early
2019. The native Austrian and passionate
skier has been living in the US since 2005.
She spent three years working in the automotive
industry and ten years in the aircraft
industry, and holds degrees in engineering
management and international economics.
Mark Bee, who remains a member of the
board of directors of the Doppelmayr units
in North America, took up his well-earned
retirement in March 2020 after 30 years in
the ropeway industry. He joined Von Roll
Tramways in 1989 and was appointed
president of Doppelmayr USA on January 1,
1998. During his 30-year career, Mark Bee
was involved in over 400 new ropeway installations
across North America. The merger
of the three companies Doppelmayr USA,
Garaventa CTEC and Von Roll Tramways
in 2002 also took place under his management.
The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group
would like to express its sincere thanks for
his many years of dedication.
Top employer 2020
Legend
Doppelmayr/Garaventa always strives to
be an attractive employer – both for its existing
workforce and for future employees. And
those efforts have shown to be successful:
In the employee survey on “Austria’s Top
Employers 2020” conducted by the business
journal Trend in collaboration with
the independent market research institute
Statista and the online ranking platform
kununu, Doppelmayr/Garaventa came first
in the transport category.
The optimally trained employees at
Doppelmayr/Garaventa continually achieve
top performance and their work is a key
success factor for the company. The great
dedication of the workforce has been highlighted
in particular against the background
of the coronavirus pandemic. Doppelmayr/
Garaventa would like to thank all its employees
and is delighted at this excellent
position in the employer ranking.
Every year, the survey picks out the 300 best
employers. In 2020, a total of 200,000 employee
ratings were analyzed.
trend.at/toparbeitgeber/2020
Imprint
Inclined length
Vertical rise
Capacity
Speed
Trip time
Carriers
Proprietor, editor and publisher: Doppelmayr Seilbahnen
GmbH, Postfach 20, Konrad-Doppelmayr-Straße 1, 6922
Wolfurt, Austria, dm@doppelmayr.com, doppelmayr.com;
text and editing: ikp Vorarlberg GmbH, ikp.at, Doppelmayr;
graphics and layout: KONZETT BRENNDÖRFER, 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. Reprinting only permitted with
statement of source and explicit written authority; status:
September 2020; errors and omissions excepted; In the
interests of better readability, we dispense with the use of
gender-specific wording in the magazine; General Terms
and Conditions apply.
doppelmayr.com
Opened
D-Line
Max. inclination
Max. gradient
Drive
Built

Service & Applications
Mobility & Experience
Advanced Connectivity
Advanced Connectivity
Integration of the ropeway itself with other system participants plus
intelligent data management brings many benefits for our customers:
more possibilities and greater efficiency in operations along
with higher transparency.
Relations & Reliability
Technology & Innovation
ENG
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