The Jungfrau Region will inaugurate two new lifts for the 2019-20 ski season. The "V-cableway" - so called because both lifts will start from the same base station - will transport skiers and snowboarders to the Eiger Glacier and the Männlichen in record time. The lifts will make it much faster to reach the slopes of the Jungfrau Region. The new lifts will also facilitate access to the Jungfraujoch, otherwise known as the Top of Europe. Construction of the lifts was started in 2018 and the first lift will be inaugurated this winter.
From Grindelwald, a 3S cable car goes to the Eiger Glacier, while a 10-person gondola takes skiers to Männlichen. The base station will be linked to public transport at the Grindelwald terminal station of the new Berner Oberland-Bahn (BOB). This means it will take 47 minutes less to reach the ski areas and the Jungfraujoch. The Grindelwald-Männlichen Gondola Cableway and Jungfrau Railways have sunk 400 million Swiss francs in the project, but it's expected the new lifts will yield a profit more than worthy of the investment. The Jungfrau Region is a popular tourist destination both in summer and in winter, and the new lifts will increase capacity and decrease travel times, ensuring the infrastructure remains modern and efficient. The Männlichen gondola should be ready for December 2019, and the Eigerexpress 3S cable car the year after that.
Both new lifts will depart from the same base station in Grindelwald Grund. The base station will feature a covered passage that connects to the Rothenegg train station of the Berner Oberland Bahn. There will be a car park with 1000 spots, as well as a bar, a kiosk and a selection of shops that sell ski-related goods. In an effort to create an aesthetically pleasing building that blends in with the surrounding mountain scenery, the new base station has been designed with an emphasis on glass and green roofs.
The 3S Eigerexpress will run during both summer and winter, bringing passengers to 2328m above sea level in just 15 minutes. From here, you can transfer to the Top of Europe train, or click into your skis for the descent to Wengen. The lift will have 44 cabins with an overall capacity of 2400 people per hour. The Eigerexpress will save passengers 47 minutes when compared to the current duration for a trip to the Jungfraujoch. Along the way, passengers can enjoy the amazing view of the infamous Eiger North Face.
Facts & Figures: New Männlichen cable car |
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|---|---|
| Top station: Männlichen | Length: 6100m |
| Altitude top station: 2225m | Altitude gain: 1288m |
| Speed: N/A | Duration: 19 min |
| Capacity: 10 ppl | Overall capacity: 1800 ppl/hr |
| Number of cabins: 109 | Location: Grindelwald Grund |
The new 10-person Männlichenbahn will replace the current 4-person gondola, shortening the journey time from 30 minutes to just 19 minutes. The lift capacity will be doubled so that 1800 people can be transported hourly. The new gondola will be supported by 33 towers.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
