Zermatt inaugurates world’s highest tri-cable car system
3S cable car systems have two support cables and one hauling cable, which lends them greater stability, speed, and passenger capacity compared to single-cable systems.
Keystone
After more than two years of work and CHF52 million ($53 million), the world’s highest “3S” cable car system was inaugurated Saturday in southern Switzerland’s Zermatt resort.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone/SDA-ATS/cl
Español
es
Inaugura Zermatt cabina tricable más alta del mundo
The grand opening was attended by some 500 guests as well as Swiss transport minister Doris Leuthard. Dubbed the Matterhorn Glacier Ride, the system connects the Trockener Steg (2,939 metres/9,642 feet) and the Klein (Little) Matterhorn (3,883 metres/12,740 feet) peaks.
Tri-cable systems (often abbreviated 3S for 3-seil, which means three ropes in German) have two supporting cables plus a looped traction cable. Currently there are 15 worldwide, but Zermatt’s system “surpasses them all in height and in the long range between two of its three pylons,” according to Jan Sorg, project engineer for Italian cable car manufacturer Leitner Ropeways.
With its 25 gondolas, which are wheelchair and stroller-accessible, Zermatt’s system can transport up to 2,000 people per hour. The nine-minute ride suspends passengers at a maximum height of 198 metres.
Four “luxury” cabins have also been specially designed with floors that become transparent during the short journey, so riders can see the mountainous view below. Round trips in the regular cabins will cost CHF100, with the luxury cabin rides going for CHF115.
The new ride will complement, rather than replace, the resort’s existing cable car system, which can transport 600 people per hour. The combined systems should allow gondolas to operate 365 days a year, and help shorten ride wait times, which could previously reach up to an hour and a half during the peak winter tourism season.
Popular Stories
More
Aging society
No house generation: the impossibility of buying property in Switzerland
Survey: most Swiss ready to steer clear of US products due to tariffs
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss and European consumers say they are prepared to opt out of buying American products like Coca-Cola and Nike in protest at US tariffs, a study shows.
This content was published on
The World Health Organization (WHO) boss, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says the Geneva-based UN agency has revised down its budget to $4.2 billion (CHF3.5 billion) for 2026-2027.
Swiss police break up major Chinese trafficking ring
This content was published on
Bern cantonal police have smashed a major human trafficking ring. Five people are accused of luring over 100 Chinese women to Switzerland to exploit them as sex workers.
‘Imminent’ landslide threat: authorities order full evacuation of Swiss mountain village
This content was published on
The local authorities have ordered the complete evacuation of the village of Blatten and its 300 residents due to "imminent" dangers.
Swiss health survey: 52% of men are overweight, 34% of women
This content was published on
The results of the Swiss Health Survey 2022 reveal clear differences between men and women: 55% of women and 44% of men live with at least one chronic illness.
This content was published on
Switzerland plans to give an additional $80 million (CHF67 million) for the 2025-2028 period to the World Health Organization (WHO), which is facing financial difficulties.
Over half a million people attended Eurovision shows or events in Basel
This content was published on
Over 500,000 people attended Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) shows or related events in Basel last week, the organisers said on Monday, celebrating its "great success".
Appenzell village is named ‘lightning capital’ of Switzerland
This content was published on
Gonten in canton Appenzell Inner Rhodes recorded the highest number of lightning strikes per square kilometre in Switzerland last year.
Swiss centre records almost 300 victims of human trafficking
This content was published on
Last year, 208 victims contacted the specialist unit FIZ Advocacy and Support for Migrant Women and Victims of Trafficking. For 59 others, an examination is still underway.
Swiss mountain village threatened by serious landslide risk
This content was published on
The situation in the mountain village of Blatten, canton Valais, remains serious due to the threat of a landslide, Swiss officials said on Sunday afternoon.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Zermatt ski resort shakes off avalanche chaos
This content was published on
After days of avalanche risk disruption, rail services to the Swiss mountain resort of Zermatt have resumed as avalanche warnings are toned down.
World’s steepest funicular puts Stoos back on the tourist map
This content was published on
Straight up to the top of the mountain: the Stoos funicular railway gives you the steepest ascent of its kind in the world.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.