Industry News
A major lift project is officially underway in Switzerland’s Samnaun ski area, which is joined with Austria’s Ischgl. After receiving final approval from Switzerland’s Federal Office of Transport (BAV) on March 30, 2026, Bergbahnen Samnaun AG has begun construction of a new detachable 10-person gondola connecting the villages of Laret and Compatsch directly to the Silvretta Ski Arena Samnaun-Ischgl. The resort shared an announcement on its social media sites on May 31, 2026, calling it a major investment in the future of the ski area.
The new lift, known as the Laret–Champs–Muller gondola, is scheduled to open for the 2027-28 winter season following a two-year construction period. “Finally!” the resort wrote in its announcement. “We are investing sustainably in the quality and comfort of our ski area.”
Direct Ski-In, Ski-Out Access
The new gondola will serve as a modern feeder lift connecting Samnaun’s lower villages directly to the Swiss side of the Silvretta Ski Arena.
According to Bergbahnen Samnaun AG, the project is designed to create a seamless ski-in, ski-out experience for both visitors and local residents, allowing skiers to access the mountain directly from the valley without relying on existing connections.
A key feature of the project is a strategically placed mid-station at Champs. Unlike many gondolas that operate solely between valley and summit, the mid-station will allow skiers to divide the route into two sections and create new skiing circuits without descending all the way to the valley floor. The resort says the design will provide greater flexibility while improving access to terrain on the Swiss side of the ski area.
Modern 10-Person Gondola Technology
The lift will be built as a detachable monocable gondola (10-MGD), one of the most modern lift systems currently used in the Alps. The cabins will accommodate 10 passengers each and are designed to offer improved wind stability, barrier-free access, and comfortable loading and unloading through the detachable system.
Lift Statistics
- Valley station: 1,721 meters (5,646 feet)
- Mid-station: 1,966 meters (6,450 feet)
- Top station: 2,503 meters (8,212 feet)
- Vertical rise: 782 meters (2,566 feet)
- Length: 3,180 meters (10,433 feet)
- Travel time: 11 minutes
- Operating speed: 6 meters per second
- Capacity: 1,600 passengers per hour
- 20 towers
- 59 cabins
- 10 passengers per cabin
Construction Already Underway
Following approval of the concession and planning authorization by the Federal Office of Transport, construction activities began in May 2026. The mountain operations company said that construction will continue through 2027, with efforts focused on minimizing impacts on the surrounding alpine environment and summer tourism operations.
The project represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in Samnaun in recent years and further strengthens the Swiss side of the Silvretta Ski Arena, one of the Alps’ largest interconnected ski areas.
Spanning Switzerland and Austria, the Silvretta Ski Arena Samnaun-Ischgl offers approximately 239 kilometers (148 miles) of pistes and is known for its extensive lift network, high-altitude terrain, and long season. Samnaun-Ischgl is one of Europe’s handful of unique cross-border ski resorts.
When the new gondola opens in November 2027, skiers staying in Laret and Compatsch will gain a faster and more direct route into the heart of the ski area, while benefiting from modern lift technology and expanded skiing options created by the new mid-station.
