Not only is the new Giggijoch
Mountain gondola a true
masterpiece of lift technology,
it’s also an impressive
eye-catching architectural statement.
Constructed by the Bergbahnen
Solden Mountain Lift Company in
only seven months and completed in
November 2016 – just in time for the
2016/2017 winter season – the €34
million ($39.7 million) project in Tirol,
Austria, does not disappoint.
With a travel speed of 21 feet per second,
the gondolas can transport 4,500
people per hour with little to no waiting
time.
“In the last five years, it was recognized
that we had to do something
about the Giggijoch gondola,” said
Helmet Kuprian, technical director at
Bergbahnen Solden.
“The long waiting times of up to 45
minutes made the project necessary.
In addition, we wanted to offer a more
comfortable way to get to the skiing
area for our customers. Now, instead
ACROSS THE POND
By Lisa Kopochinski
of stairs, there are elevators and escalators.
The gondolas are running
more smoothly, and the level walk-in
and barrier-free entrance provide an
eased ride.”
The new detachable mono-rope
gondola features 134 10-person cabins
and opens new dimensions in volume
and modern comfort. The cabins offer
8 inches more space and an extremely
smooth ride.
Kuprian says that prior to construction,
there was an intense design and
planning period of a year and a half.
“This was followed by a short building
time, a tight schedule and the supply
of the construction area via the
street to Rotkoglhutte (8,727 feet altitude)
and the summit station. The coordination
of the involved companies
required exact planning.”
This latest in ropeway mountain lift
technology was developed by Doppelmayr
– the world market leader in
the manufacturing of ropeways, cable
cars and ski lifts. The so-called D-Line
was initially installed in 2015. However,
the capacity of the Giggijochbahn
is, so far, unique, as no other installation
of this type can transport as many
people per hour.
Twenty-six new lift towers were built
on a traverse length of 8,694 feet. With
a riding time of just under nine minutes,
it covers 3,018 feet in a difference
of altitude.
“For safety reasons, the entire gondola
is under video surveillance, illuminated
and equipped with loudspeakers,”
said Kuprian.
Impressive station
design
The Giggijoch base station is, indeed,
a piece of eye-catching construction.
Located at 4,469 feet, the overhanging
access area was lifted to a height of 43
feet. Covering a minimum of surface at
its ground level, the slim, tower-shaped
central part of the building accommodates
all technological features.
The base station’s south entrance
features a ground-level ski pass cash
desk hall with eight selling points
equipped with the latest information
technology for the entire ski area. Jutting
out vertically, the 43-foot access
area can easily be reached from the
car park by two escalators and two elevators.
Additionally, the access area
is directly connected to the indoor car
park and the ski slope.
“The summit station should be functional,
modest and transparent,” said
Kuprian. “In the valley, the lack of space
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