Mountain Planet 2026 is the kind of trade fair that shows where the ropeway industry is heading. It is not just about models, renderings and slogans: the stands show the real priorities of the companies that build and run lifts. In that context, LEITNER drew attention to its DirectDrive technology and to the future Bolzano-San Genesio cable car, announced as the first aerial cable car with this system and due to open in 2027.
For ski resorts, the news is not interesting just because it comes from a major manufacturer. What matters most is the signal it sends: new lifts are no longer judged only by hourly capacity or cabin comfort, but also by efficiency, easier operation and long-term reliability. That is where DirectDrive becomes relevant.
What changes with DirectDrive
In simple terms, DirectDrive aims to reduce the complexity of the drive train. In theory, fewer mechanical elements mean fewer sensitive components to inspect, fewer routine interventions and simpler running of the lift.
For an operator this is not a technical nicety. Every component that no longer needs monitoring can mean:
- more predictable maintenance work;
- fewer unplanned interruptions;
- more continuous service;
- better control over life-cycle costs.
Of course, every project has to be assessed as a whole: the lie of the land, wind, passenger numbers, tourism needs and the urban setting. But the direction is clear. LEITNER is proposing a lift that is not only about moving people, but about doing it with a logic closer to industrial efficiency than to simply replacing an old lift.
Why the Bolzano-San Genesio project matters
The future Bolzano-San Genesio line is the flagship of this shift. It is not a classic ski link, but a piece of infrastructure tied to local transport and to day-trip tourism. That is exactly why ski area operators are watching it closely: what works on an urban or suburban link can later shape technology choices up the mountain too.
The project matters in three ways.
1. Cable cars as transport, not just tourist lifts
Cable cars are increasingly seen as part of a wider transport network. They connect parking areas, villages, train stations and scenic destinations, reducing road congestion and travel time. When a technology is selected for such a visible setting, it gains credibility for tourism applications as well.
2. Efficiency and sustainability as commercial arguments
Today a resort does not sell snow alone: it sells experience, reliability and brand image. A lift that consumes less energy, needs less intervention and is easier to manage is easier to justify financially. This is especially true for operators who need to replace ageing lifts or extend the life of heavily used infrastructure.
3. Innovation the public can actually notice
End users care about technology when it improves the experience. Quieter cabins, tidier stations, smoother flows and fewer delays are things passengers immediately notice. In other words: innovation works when it is visible and when it removes friction from a ski or mountain visit.
What resorts should watch in the coming months
The message from Mountain Planet 2026 is not that every operator should replace a lift tomorrow. The more useful message is that future investments should be judged on total life-cycle value, not only on the initial purchase price.
When evaluating a new project, it is worth asking:
- how much maintenance will it really need over time;
- how easy will it be to source spare parts and support;
- how will energy consumption change;
- what will the impact be on customer perception;
- can the same technology be replicated elsewhere in the resort.
In many cases, those answers matter more than the number of seats in the cabin.
Our view
This announcement deserves attention because it captures the current state of the sector very well. Leading companies are bringing to market solutions that combine engineering, automation and a clear promise to operators: less complexity, more control.
For Italian ski areas this is good news, because the country’s lifts vary enormously. Alongside brand-new lines there are still lifts that need replacing or a major upgrade. In that context, DirectDrive is not just a trade-fair headline; it is a potential reference point for the next wave of investments.
Sources
- LEITNER, World’s first aerial tramway with DirectDrive technology: Bolzano-San Genesio line to open in 2027
- Funivie.org, LEITNER a Mountain Planet 2026 (in Italian)
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