For the 2025/26 ski season, Austrian, German, and Swiss ski resorts are investing specifically in new cable car systems from LEITNER. The focus is on energy-efficient drive systems, a high degree of automation, and intelligent modernization solutions for existing systems.
Since mid-November 2025, the new "Senderbahn" gondola lift in the Austrian ski resort of Hauser Kaibling (Styria) has been operational. The new 10-person gondola lift, equipped with LeitPilot for autonomous station operation, offers a significant increase in comfort and capacity. Traveling at a speed of six meters per second, the new lift transports up to 2,800 people per hour to the transmitter plateau. Modern Diamond EVO Deep cabins, high wind stability, and integrated ski storage make the 5-minute ride particularly pleasant for families. The 8-person CD8C "Kaiblinggrat" chairlift, also equipped with LeitPilot, opened in the ski resort last year.
In the Matterhorn Ski Paradise, a new 8-seater chairlift speeds up the connection between Riffelberg and Gifthittli. Sustainability is a key focus: solar panels support energy generation, support foundations are reused, and the LEITNER DirectDrive significantly reduces energy consumption and noise. For maximum comfort, the premium EVO chair with individual footrests and weather protection hoods is used. Furthermore, the new 8-seater chairlift features stations in the striking design style of the Italian design firm Pininfarina.
In St. Moritz, the existing four-seater chairlift "Randolins" has undergone a comprehensive modernization after approximately 30 years of operation. The new six-seater chairlift offers comfortable access from both the Paradiso and Trutz sides. With a capacity of up to 2,400 people per hour – compared to the previous 1,500 – and a travel speed of six meters per second, the system meets the highest standards of capacity, efficiency, and operational safety. Despite the complete technical reconstruction, including a new control system at the mountain station, the sustainable use of resources was a central focus of the project. Thanks to the good condition of the existing structure, nine of the fifteen cable car foundations could be reused; the remaining foundations required only minor reinforcements. Thus, the CD6C "Randolins" combines state-of-the-art cable car technology with a responsible upgrade of the existing infrastructure.
In parallel, the approximately 30-year-old four-seater chairlift "Lej da la Pêsch" was also modernized for the future as part of a targeted retrofit program. Completed in autumn 2025, the upgrade included autonomous station operation with a lead pilot at the mountain station, new chairs with upholstered seats, lockable safety bars, individual footrests, and a slightly increased travel speed, resulting in shorter waiting times. Only minor maintenance work was carried out on the foundations along the route to bring the system up to current standards. This successful project joins LEITNER's recent Swiss retrofit projects in Corviglia and Arosa Lenzerheide.
LEITNER is also setting standards in ski resort modernization in Germany, as evidenced by the extensive investments made at the Mitterdorf ski center, known as the "Glacier of the Bavarian Forest," to future-proof the destination. The Mitterfirmiansreut-Philippsreut Winter Sports Center Association invested approximately €23.2 million in creating an attractive year-round offering. The centerpiece of the project is two new lifts from LEITNER: the 6-seater "Almbergbahn" chairlift and the 4-seater "Kleiner Almberglift." The new "Almbergbahn" boasts impressive wind stability, a maximum speed of 5 m/s, and a capacity of 1,600 people per hour. Forty comfortable 6-seater chairs with weather protection hoods, comfortable upholstery, and individual footrests ensure a pleasant ride. The route was carefully chosen to allow unobstructed access to the entire ski area. The new fixed-grip 4-seater chairlift "Kleiner Almberglift" also increases comfort for guests with a capacity of 1,400 people per hour and modern premium EVO chairs. Both lifts are designed for summer and winter operation, thus supporting the goal of creating year-round leisure activities on the Almberg.