Mentoring system for Bernese ski lifts

Every year, large mountain transport companies such as Schilthorn Cableway act as mentors to smaller ski lifts in the Alpine foothills, thus making a substantial and sustainable contribution to attracting the visitors of tomorrow.

Facilities situated below 1000 metres above sea level are finding it increasingly difficult to keep their small operations viable. For the large operators, this in turn means than many inexpensive opportunities for winter sports beginners – especially children – to access winter sports at small resorts are being lost. This makes it even more difficult to halt the decline of skiing as a recreational activity.

Some small ski lifts are only able to run for a few days or weeks during the winter season, which means that they often operate on a voluntary basis and struggle to comply with the strict regulatory and operational requirements. They also lack the financial means to train management personnel and fund equipment and maintenance.

This is where the big mountain transport companies can step in – by providing material and technical expertise, advising on safety issues, organisational concerns or investment and procurement.  

Sustainability impact

• Attracting the visitors of tomorrow by preserving and supporting small ski lifts
• Halting the decline of skiing as a recreational activity
• Sharing material and expertise