Leitner/Bartholet receives order for new mountain railways
Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG (BDG) is pleased to announce that Leitner/Bartholet has been awarded the contract for the three railway installations put out to tender. They beat off competition from Doppelmayr/Garaventa and the MND Group.
In January 2024, the tendering process for the railway systems was divided into three lots. Lot or run 1 comprises the 10-passenger gondola lift Schönried-Horneggli-Hornberg, consisting of two sections with an intermediate station. Lot or run 2 comprises a 6-seater chairlift Saanenwald-Horeflue, and lot or run 3 a 6-seater chairlift Gfell-Horeflue. After a multi-stage negotiation process, the decision was made and the contract for the cable car technology was awarded to Leitner/Bartholet. Bartholet's products are manufactured in Flums, Switzerland. Both companies belong to the HTI Group.
"This is a milestone for our generation project. The finalised contract award provides planning security and enables the start of the planning approval process,’ said Matthias In-Albon, CEO of Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG. "Their advanced technology and innovative strength are the technical foundation for our major project. We are convinced that in Leitner/Bartholet we have found a partner who can fully meet our needs with high-quality technical solutions’.
Pininfarina gondolas
The modern design of the gondolas for the Schönried-Horneggli-Hornberg gondola lift was developed by the well-known Italian design studio Pininfarina. In addition to the appealing design, the gondolas also offer a high level of comfort, providing guests with a pleasant experience from the moment they enter the gondola until they leave it.The special features include a wider entrance, a maximum all-round view thanks to panoramic glazing that reaches up to the ceiling and thus conveys a special travelling experience.
Building on tradition
The first tourism associations in the region were founded in Saanenland in 1906.The first ski lift was built in 1935 and the region has continued to develop ever since.The new cable cars will help to continue this history and at the same time pursue a modern and future-orientated approach.
Next steps
The second preliminary review by the canton is currently pending so that the development regulations can then be published. Once the development regulations have been published, the cable car manufacturer, civil engineer and architectural firm will start preparing the planning approval documents.
New mountain railways
Lot/Lift 1: The existing Horneggli chairlift (built in 1984) has reached the end of its service life. After 40 years, the spare parts are no longer available.BDG is taking this as an opportunity to replace this infrastructure facility and further develop the associated tourist offer.
Lot/lift 2: In view of the planned intensification and concentration of summer and winter use in the Hornberg basin and due to the need for total renovation of the current Hornberg chairlift (built in 1986), BDG is also planning to build a replacement facility here in the coming years that will meet the changed usage requirements and the tourist offer.
Lot/Lift 3: In order to make winter tourism on the snow-sure Hornfluh even more attractive, there are plans to open up the Gfell with a new lift that will provide an even better connection to the existing ski slope.
