In the run-up to next ski season, Ischgl has announced plans to further update its lift infrastructure. Last year saw the introduction of the Gampenbahn , a six-seat bubble chairlift with heated seats. For the 2019-20 ski season, Ischgl is investing in two new chairlifts, the Velilleck F1 and the Visnitz N2. The Silvretta Arena Ischgl-Samnaun continues to set the standard for comfortable ski holidays!
In 1978, a 2-person chairlift was built that carried skiers from the Höllboden to the Idalp (2320m). This chairlift was replaced in 1989 with a 4-person chairlift, but the 2-person chairlift was repurposed and came to be known as the Velilleck lift. The current Velilleck lift has therefore transported more than 14 million skiers and snowboarders since its inauguration in 1978! Now it's finally time to retire for good and let the modern 6-person lift step in to replace it.
With a speed of 6m/s, the new Velilleck F1 will be the fastest chairlift in the Silvretta Arena Ischgl-Samnaun. The new lift will go all the way to the top of the Pardatschgrat, extending the ride by 1353m compared to the current chair. The top station will be located near the Gratbahn B8 (2620m), while the bottom station will stay at the same location on slope #7. Just as with the Palinkopf and the Gampenbahn, each seat will sport a unique design. The Velilleck will be decorated with pictures of plants that grow in the region in summertime. The seats will be heated and will have a new kind of safety bar. In total, the cost of the new 6-person Velilleck F1 chairlift is expected to amount to €13.5 million.
Facts & Figures: New Velilleck F1 chairlift in Ischgl |
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|---|---|
| Top station: Pardatschgrat | Length: 1948m |
| Altitude top station: 2620m | Altitude gain: 572m |
| Speed: 6m/s | Duration: appr. 5:50 min |
| Capacity: 6 ppl | Overall capacity: 2400 ppl/hr |
| Number of chairs: 79 | Location: Ischgl |
A new chairlift is also being planned for the Swiss side of the Silvretta Arena Ischgl-Samnaun. The original Visnitz lift was a 4-person drag lift constructed in 1978. In 1994 this was replaced by a chairlift. After having transported more than 24 million skiers and snowboarders, it's time for an upgrade. The new 8-person Visnitz chairlift will be the first D-line lift in Switzerland and will take passengers from the Alp Trida (2261m) to the Visnitzkopf (2633m). Construction has been underway since last summer on the valley station to the east of the Skihaus Alp Trida and on slope 68b, which will have a direct connection to the Visnitzbahn. This chairlift will sport images about the history of Samnaun on each chair. The total cost is expected to amount to €24 million.
Facts & Figures: New 8-person Visnitz chairlift in Samnaun |
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|---|---|
| Top station: Visnitzkopf | Length: 1208m |
| Altitude top station: 2633m | Altitude gain: 372m |
| Speed: 5 m/s | Duration: appr. 4:30 min |
| Capacity: 8 ppl | Overall capacity: 3500 ppl/hr |
| Number of chairs: 67 | Location: Samnaun |
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
