December 2021: Kumme lift celebrates its first anniversary
November 2020: Kumme readies to open
July 2020: Work well underway on Kumme Gondola
Zermatt has a reputation for investment in their lift system, and the Coronovirus pandemic is not stopping this.
The lift company Zermatt Bergbahnen AG (ZBAG) has announced they will be making CHF60 million of improvements over the next two years.
As soon as weather conditions allow (assuming there is no measures disallowing construction work) ZBAG will start the construction of the new Kumme Express gondola and continue work on the 3S Matterhorn Glacier Ride cableway project.
“We believe in the future”
The CEO of the lift company Markus Hasler:
“We want to show visitors that we believe in the future and despite the current situation remain willing to invest in modern facilities.”
There is an additional challenge for ZBAG in that the Corona crisis will inevitably mean reduced revenue and profitability over the summer months. Despite this, there have been no problems securing finance for the projects.
The first fully automated gondola in Switzerland
Together with the resumption of work on the Matterhorn Glacier Ride between Testa Grigia and the Klein Matterhorn, the plan for this summer includes starting work on the new Kumme gondola.
This is a joint project with lift-maker Doppelmayr and will see the creation of the first ‘automated’ gondola in Switzerland – without any staff at the base or top stations.
It’s anticipated that the lift will go into operation at the beginning of the 2020/21 winter season, with 56 ten-seater cabins and a capacity of 1500 passengers per hour.
The Kumme lift will traverse 3.2km from Tufternkehr to Unterrothorn with a mid-station at Wyss Gufer.
“Value for our loyal guests”
Franz Julen, Chairman at ZBAG, is very positive about the future:
“We believe that counter-cyclical investments ‘when this is all over’ will help us to get through this extraordinary situation well and will provide added value in the future for our loyal Swiss and international guests, who will hopefully be able to return to Zermatt soon.”
Accommodation in Zermatt
If you would like to join us in Zermatt this winter, please contact Ed or Suzanne at Matterhorn Chalets.
We can help you find the right property for you, whether that’s a self-catering apartment or serviced chalet.
Our concierge service can help set up and arrange all the other elements that make your holiday, including ski hire, lessons, restaurant bookings, lift passes and more.
