The SkiWelt region in the Austrian Tirol, one of the country’s biggest ski areas, has announced that it will be spending another €73m on new lifts over the next few years.
After completing 12 million rides, the Fleidingbahn lift, built in 1983, is finally being retired and will be replaced with a new high-speed eight-seater chairlift. Still called the Fleidingbahn this will be one of the most expensive chairlifts yet built with a price tag of 15.5 million euros.
The lift will feature ‘comfort suspension’ (so presumably no rattling as it passes support towers), heated seats and bubble hoods to protect against the weather.
Due to be completed for the coming 2019/20 ski season, the top station will have a panoramic terrace with an 360 degree view of the surrounding peaks.
In addition a new gondola with cabins seating ten people, the Kombibahn, will be completed from winter 2020/21 after a further 15.5 million euros spend. The new lift will replace the old Zinsbergbahn quad in Brixen in Thale.
In addition the Hexenwasser in Söll and Salvistabahn in Itter will also be replaced, with new lifts running from December 2020.