July 1, 2025
New ski lift developments in Ischgl promise more capacity and comfort, along with a reconfiguration of the ski pistes around Idalp – the main intersection of the Ischgl ski area. The ski lifts are set to be adorned with solar modules to help power the operation.
Austria offers some of the most modern ski lifts in the world – a product of deep pockets and the Vorarlberg-based Doppelmayr, one of the world's leading companies in lift technology and construction. Ischgl is one of Austria’s mega-resorts with a superb lift system. To stay ahead of the pack, Ischgl is investing in the redevelopment of 3 new 8-seater chairlifts, two of which are being constructed this summer.
The Höllboden C1 and Sassgalun C3 are under construction this summer and due to be operational for the 2025/26 winter season. Whilst upgrading the comfort and capacity of these lifts, the planners have adjusted the top station of the Höllboden lift to reduce the congestion in this intersection of the Ischgl ski area. Skier flows should be improved in the future at the notorious Idalp bottleneck.
The new lifts will use the Doppelmayr AURO (Autonomous Ropeway Operation) system. This AI-powered system tracks lift and passenger movements in real-time, eliminating the need for staff at mid-stations and other points.
Slogans are one thing, practical actions, another. During the lift redevelopments, Ischgl are also utilising the existing mountain roof spaces to host 1200 m² of solar modules. The lower temperatures and a high albedo effect of snowy terrain improve the efficiency of solar modules, making them the ideal place to generate power. There is also the messaging it sends to guests – ski areas are, after all, the canary in the mine.