Hoch-Ybrig, Switzerland, is pioneering a new era in ski lift technology with the launch of the world’s first TRI-Line cable car system. Replacing a 55-year-old reversible aerial tramway, the new installation between Weglosen and Seebli is now operational for the ski season, offering a blend of innovation, efficiency, and accessibility.
The TRI-Line, developed by Doppelmayr in collaboration with Garaventa, represents a significant advancement over traditional cable car systems. It combines the benefits of high-capacity 3S technology – known for its speed and minimal support pylons – with the continuous movement and compact design of the D-Line generation. This results in a system capable of transporting up to 1,400 passengers per hour, according to Hoch-Ybrig officials.
Traditional 3S cable cars, often dubbed the “Rolls Royce” of ski lifts, utilize three cables – two track ropes and one haul rope – to support multiple cabins operating continuously. This configuration allows for long spans between towers and high passenger throughput. However, these systems typically come with a substantial price tag. The TRI-Line aims to address this cost barrier by streamlining station design and reducing the overall footprint.
The Weglosen-Seebli installation requires only two towers along its 1.7-kilometer route, each constructed with round tube steel, minimizing environmental impact and blending into the landscape. This is a marked improvement over the 13 pylons that would have been necessary had a conventional gondola lift been chosen as a replacement for the aging tramway.
The concept of three-cable systems isn’t entirely new. The Alpin Express in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, built in by Von Roll (later acquired by Doppelmayr), was the first 3S cable car. It dramatically increased passenger capacity to the Fee Glacier. Since then, the 3S system has gained traction at prestigious resorts including Zermatt, Grindelwald, Avoriaz, and Kitzbühel.
However, the high cost of bespoke 3S installations has historically limited their adoption to larger resorts. The TRI-Line represents a shift towards greater affordability, and accessibility. “We can build in a more advantageous and simpler way,” stated Arno Inauen, Director of Garaventa, highlighting the streamlined construction process. The standardization of the TRI-Line concept, unlike the previously custom-built 3S systems, is expected to drive down costs, making it viable for smaller ski areas.
The trend in ski resort infrastructure has increasingly favored replacing traditional two-cabin cable cars with gondolas, as seen in resorts like Zinal and Fiesch in the Swiss Valais region. However, this isn’t always feasible, particularly in terrain where numerous support pylons are impractical. The TRI-Line offers a compelling alternative in such situations.
The new Weglosen-Seebli cable car is also designed for potential autonomous operation, utilizing the AURO concept. This feature, along with the barrier-free cabin design, underscores Hoch-Ybrig’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure and enhancing the visitor experience.
Urs Keller, Managing Director of Hoch-Ybrig AG, described the project as a “generational project” for both the resort and the wider region. “The feeder railway is the first thing our guests see in the morning and the last thing they see before they go home. With the new railway, we are creating something that will leave a lasting impression for decades to come,” he said.
The launch of the TRI-Line at Hoch-Ybrig marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of ski lift technology. By offering a more cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional 3S systems, it has the potential to reshape the landscape of ski resort infrastructure globally, potentially signaling a decline in the use of older, two-cabin cable car designs.
