Mountain Planet 2026 is the kind of trade fair that shows where the ropeway industry is heading. It is not just about mockups and slogans: the projects on display reveal what manufacturers and operators actually care about. In that context, LEITNER drew attention to its DirectDrive technology and to the future Bolzano-San Genesio aerial tramway, presented as the world’s first aerial tramway with this solution and scheduled to open in 2027.
For mountain resorts, the news matters for more than one reason. It is not simply a launch from a major manufacturer. It signals a broader shift: new ropeways 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. Fewer mechanical elements usually mean fewer sensitive components to inspect, more predictable maintenance and a cleaner operational model.
For operators this can translate into:
- more predictable maintenance work;
- fewer unplanned interruptions;
- steadier service continuity;
- better control over life-cycle costs.
Every project still has to be assessed on its own merits: terrain, wind exposure, passenger flows and the wider tourism context. But the direction is clear. LEITNER is proposing a ropeway concept that is not only about moving people, but about doing so with an industrial logic focused on efficiency and operational simplicity.
Why the Bolzano-San Genesio project matters
The future Bolzano-San Genesio line is the symbol of this approach. It is not a classic ski connection; it is an infrastructure project linked to local mobility and leisure tourism. That makes it especially interesting for mountain operators too: what works in an urban or peri-urban connection often influences technology choices in alpine resorts later on.
The project matters for three reasons.
1. Ropeways as mobility, not only tourism
Ropeways are increasingly 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 when operators replace aging systems or extend the life of existing 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.
Funivie.it’s take
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 resorts this is good news. The country’s lift park is highly mixed: alongside very new systems there are still many lifts that will need replacement or major modernisation. 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