ACROSS THE POND
New Giggijoch Mountain Gondola Facts & Figures
•• Most powerful mountain gondola worldwide
•• Location: Giggijoch Mountain, Tirol, Austria
•• Cost of project: €34 million ($39.7 million)
•• Owner: Bergbahnen Solden
•• Type: detachable gondola lift
•• Number of Cabins: 134
•• Cabin capacity: 10 persons
•• Riding time: 8.87 minutes
•• Speed: 21 feet per second
•• Capacity: maximum of 4,500 persons per hour
•• Altitude base station: 4,469 feet
•• Altitude top station: 7,490 feet
•• Difference in altitude: 3,022 feet
•• Transverse length: 8,688 feet
•• Lift towers: 26
•• Haulage cable diameter: 2.4 inch
•• Length of cable: 17,621 feet
•• Engine power: 1,627 kW
•• Year completed: 2016
and the technical guidelines had to be
considered. That is why we decided to
raise the entrance level to 43 feet.”
Giggijoch’s top station (located at
7,490 feet) features a huge foil-coated
steel construction transparent design
that not only hosts the passenger station
and the terminal located above, but
also a sports shop and ski storage area.
The 134 gondola cabins also have
their own garage right above the station
and matches perfectly with the
surrounding landscape. A new tunnel
links the Giggijoch Restaurant and the
top terminal, thereby guaranteeing a
safe supply and transport area regardless
of weather conditions.
Passengers at this top terminal can
enjoy the advantages of a “level walkin”
which is similar to an underground
unit, but offers a quick and barrier-free
access to the nearby ski lift and slope.
Ten nearby gondola cabins allow for
easy access.
“There is no better and more comfortable
way to start a memorable skiing
day,” said Kuprian. “You leave the gondola
in your cozy winter boots and take
the escalator or elevator down to the ski
storage area where your skis and heated
ski boots are waiting for you.”
Sustainable energy
management
Both the base station and top terminal
are equipped with environmentally
friendly and sustainable heating systems
that are in accordance to the energy
management guidelines of Bergbahnen
Solden.
While the base station has a geothermal
heat pump system fed by underground
water, the top terminal boasts a
modern heat recuperation system, including
environmentally friendly heat
exchangers and two air-to-air heat
pumps with concrete core cooling and
air-blower heating elements.
Additionally, thanks to a cleverly
designed blend of drilled holes in different
sizes spread across the station
façade and a sophisticated LED light
system, individuals can enjoy a multidimensional
object.
“At night, the mountain panorama
gains dynamism through blue lights
providing a plastic effect to this unique
landmark, which can be seen from far,”
said Kuprian.
“The entire light concept was
designed and carried out by the
renowned Bartenbach lighting solutions
company. The brightness of
this custom-staged image perfectly
matches the building’s eye-catching
architecture and its lighting. And, although
the lighted image stands out
against the background, you never
mistake it for a giant billboard. Rather,
it symbolizes the fine ‘Art of Light.’”
PHOTO COURTESY OF MOUNTAIN RAILWAYS SOLDEN
32 September 2018 | snowopsmag.com
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