World’s highest gondola lift in Swiss Alps in construction

in #travel7 years ago

At 3,883 metres (12,740 ft) above sea level, the Klein Matterhorn (sometimes translated as Little Matterhorn) is the highest place in Europe that can be reached by aerial tramway, as well as by any other means of transport. The name "Klein Matterhorn" is a reference to its much larger neighbour, the Matterhorn, which lies 7 km away across the Theodul glacier and is well known across the world from the Toblerone chocolate.

The already existing cable car is running since winter 1979/80. And now in Spring 2016 construction for a new gondola lift has been started. Up to winter 2018/2019, Leitner Ropeways is building the world’s highest tricable gondola lift on the Klein Matterhorn.

The altitude and the terrain profile of this high alpine construction project call for painstaking planning, extensive preparations and very precise, careful work from everyone involved. Working in this environment is a particular challenge for the riggers. The air conditions at this altitude are a lot more stressful for the organism than in the valley, and the danger of crevasses requires particular caution.
The weather conditions also make things more difficult.

The Klein Matterhorn also offers Europe's highest restaurant, a platform with a breathtaking 360 degree view, a glacier palace/museum and direct access to over 360 kilometers of skiing tracks!

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Wow that looks incredible. A place that I would like to see in person

It looks very nice, I hope to visit in the future.