Flying High

The technology behind a ski lift

Drive station: The drive station houses the drive mechanism, which is used to move the rope. It could be located in the lift’s valley station, like in the Nesselbahn gondola lift in the Gitschberg Jochtal skiing area (see box on right page), or in the mountain station at the top. The choice depends on technical and practical factors such as the power supply.

❶ Drive: Unlike cars, ski lifts have been operated for decades using electricity. The technology has nevertheless advanced over the years. For example, the Nesselbahn was recently fitted with a direct drive. This type of drive does not need a gearbox because it is connected directly to the bull-wheel, which turns the rope. This makes it quieter, more energy efficient and easier to maintain.

❷ Wire ropes: Modern ski lifts only exist thanks to the invention of the wire rope, which consists of several steel strands twisted together.

Counter station: This is where the rope tension is maintained. In the past, counterweights were used, but today hydraulic tensioning systems ensure that the tension on the rope remains constant regardless of the load exerted on the ski lift.

❹ Gondolas: The gondolas are the carriages. They don’t have their own drive system. Instead, they are connected to the wire rope by a grip and moved along by the drive located in one of the lift stations.

❺ Grip: Instead of being fixed, the grips are locked in place by springs. When a gondola reaches the station, the grip opens to release it from the wire rope so it can pass through the station on a rail. This allows the gondola to slow down, making it easier for passengers to alight and board the ski lift.

❻ Towers: The towers keep the ropes and gondolas at the required height above the ground.

❼ Roller batteries: These guide the wire rope and transfer the gondolas’ weight to the towers. The more rollers in the roller battery, the more weight it can bear.

Control centre: This is where specially trained experts monitor the ski lift’s operation in real time. Power consumption, wind speed along the line, the position of the gondolas and their speed of travel can all be monitored from here.

Maintenance: Ski lifts are inspected daily, monthly and every five years. They also undergo a major overhaul every 20 years. Maintenance tasks include changing the oil, relubricating parts, replacing worn parts and checking the lift for damage and cracks.

The Nesselbahn gondola lift transports passengers from an altitude of 1,629 metres up to the Nesselhütte mountain lodge at 2,107 metres. Built in 2002, it replaced the chairlift that once operated on this site. It was upgraded and equipped with a new direct drive in 2022.

Capacity: 2,200 passengers/hour

Speed: 5.5 metres/second

Change in elevation: 478 metres

Passengers per gondola: 8

Number of towers: 14

Number of gondolas: 55

Rope diameter: 50 millimetres