Well it seems that Zermatt Bergbahnen AG were quite busy this summer.
Expect them soon in mine new and improved ski trails model.
Excerpt:
1. Sunnega -> Findeln - Breitboden (upgrade 2 to 4 chairs with heating)
2. New Skilift in Stokhorn region. (after closure of Hohtälli - Stockhorn which was already overdue for a long time ;-( )
3. New Skirun Hohtälli to Kellensee (RED yes yet another red one)
4. More snowmaking capability
New facilities and installations
Sunnegga paradise - Findeln - Breitboden chair lift
In time for the winter season 2007/08, the old 2-seater chair lift will be replaced by a comfortable, coupleable 4-seater chair lift with heated seats from Sunnegga paradise via Findeln to Breitboden. This chair lift with a passenger capacity of 2,000 people per hour and 20 supports has an underground station on Sunnegga paradise. The amount to be invested will run to CHF 13 million. There will be further opportunities to board the lift in Breitenboden heading towards Sunnegga paradise, and at Findeln heading towards Breitenboden and Sunnegga paradise.
Stockhorn ski lift
In the summer of 2007, a new ski lift will be erected in the Stockhorn region. Zermatt Mountain Cableways attaches great importance to making the downhill run area accessible even after the closure of the Hohtälli - Stockhorn cable railway. The Hohtälli - Rote Nase cable railway and the Triftij ski lift will remain in service.
Hohtälli - Kellensee ski run
To replace the Gornergrat - Hohtälli cable railway an intermediate (red) ski run will be constructed from Hohtälli to Kellensee in the summer of 2007. This new connection will not only dramatically reduce transfer times, but will also significantly improve accessibility to the Gornergrat and Matterhorn glacier paradise. Yet another contribution to making the Matterhorn ski paradise even more attractive!
New snow-making facilities
Once again this summer various snow-making facilities are being built, with the result that now approximately 60% of all pistes in Zermatt are either covered with snow or on the glacier.
The improvement of the Matterhorn glacier paradise
Europe's highest cable railway station is getting a completely new look: A lovely restaurant is being built atop the spectacular peak rising 3,883 m above sea level and will feature a hostel for mountaineers and a shop. The sanitary facilities are being renovated as well and will soon include an independent sewage treatment plant.
The glacier palace will soon be easier to reach: The tower is at the very end of the summit tunnel, meaning that in future, guests will no longer need to walk over the glacier.
In addition, a panorama window with a view of the Breithorn and Gornergrat will be created on the peak's northeast face by blasting away rock in the tunnel.
The aim, says Christen Baumann, CEO of Zermatt Mountain Cableways, is to complete this first stage by the end of 2007. At the same time Zermatt Mountain Cableways are preparing construction plans for pyramids, lifts and observation platforms, with the final plans expected to be ready for submission next summer. These plans include the construction of an observation platform at 4,000 metres above sea level - 117 metres above the actual summit - and restaurants, a multimedia room and other infrastructure on the summit itself.
"Even in terms of its infrastructure and architecture, the Matterhorn glacier paradise is set to do justice to its superlatives and its uniqueness," believes Zermatt Mountain Cableways chief, Christen Baumann. "It is intended to become yet another Swiss trademark that will complement the existing comprehensive offering."
Cable railway Furi - Riffelberg
In 2006 a new 8-seater cable railway was be built between Furi - Schweigmatten and Riffelberg. The valley station is located on Furi, at the same level as the midway station for the Matterhorn Express. The same 8-seater cars are being used as for the combi cableway Sunnegga - Blauherd, called "level walk-in" cars. At the Schweigmatten midway station, you can embark/disembark in the direction of Furi or Riffelberg. The mountain station lies north of the Riffelberg Restaurant, so that the Gifthittli chair lift can run alongside the skiers to the valley station. The overall costs for this 8-seater cable railway with a capacity of 2'400 people per hour and a diagonal length of 2'085m amount to CHF 18 million.
Zermatt, 20 July 2007
