Industry News
A cable car at the Porta Vescovo top station of the Arabba/Marmolada ski resort in Italy crashed into the emergency brake at the valley station on Wednesday, March 5, around 5 p.m., injuring a maintenance worker and causing significant damage to the infrastructure. The incident, which occurred after the lifts had closed for public use, has prompted an investigation by the Belluno prosecutor’s office into possible mechanical failure.
According to resort officials, the tram cabin failed to slow down before colliding at approximately 25 kilometers an hour (15 miles per hour). The tow rope snapped, and the lone occupant—a maintenance worker performing routine checks—was injured, though his condition is not life-threatening. Following the impact, the lift was immediately taken out of service. The tramway in question is an 80 person tram by Doppelmayr with a total length of 2,676 meters (8,780 feet) and an hourly capacity of 800 people per hour.
Authorities are working to determine whether a braking system failure was responsible for the accident. The cables fell onto the slopes, but because the ski lifts had already closed for the day, no skiers were at risk. The situation, however, could have been far worse had it occurred during operating hours.
The affected Funifor cable car connects Arabba with the Porta Vescovo mountain station, a crucial link in the Sellaronda circuit—one of the most famous ski routes in the Dolomites. While the lift remains closed, officials have assured skiers that alternative lifts allow uninterrupted passage through the area.
Nestled in the heart of the Dolomiti Superski region, Arabba/Marmolada is a high-altitude ski destination known for its steep, challenging runs and direct access to both the Marmolada Glacier—the highest peak in the Dolomites at 3,343 meters (10,968 feet)—and the famed Sellaronda ski circuit, which links four major valleys. Its strategic location makes it a key transit point for skiers tackling the expansive network of over 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) of slopes across 12 ski areas.
Thankfully the accident occurred after hours and no guests were onboard. A failure with a fully laden tramway could have been disastrous.
Investigators continue to examine the cause of the crash as resort officials work to restore full lift service. The tramway concerned had been fully overhauled in December 2024.
