Lifts are the beating heart of every ski area. Without them, the mountains would be out of reach for most skiers. The technology behind a lift is far more sophisticated than most people think: mechanical engineering, electronics, composite materials and safety systems come together in machines that work in extreme conditions.
A short history of ski lifts
The beginnings
- 1908: the first drag lift with a moving rope is built in Switzerland
- 1936: the first modern chairlift is installed in Sun Valley (USA)
- 1946: Italy installs its first chairlifts in Cervinia and Cortina
- 1956: Italy’s first high-capacity gondolas are built for the Cortina Olympics
Italy’s role
Italy has played a key part in the development of lifts:
- Leitner (Vipiteno, South Tyrol): one of the world’s leading manufacturers
- Doppelmayr/Garaventa: also with factories in Italy
- Poma: the historic French manufacturer, with a very strong presence in Italy
Types of modern lift
Drag lifts (surface lifts)
The simplest type: a moving loop of rope you hook onto with a button or a T-bar:
- Capacity: 600-900 people per hour
- Speed: 3-4 m/s
- Cost: the cheapest to build
- Best for: nursery slopes and short stretches
Chairlifts
The backbone of every ski area.
Fixed-grip chairlift:
- The chair is clamped to the moving rope
- Constant speed: 2-2.5 m/s
- Capacity: 1,200-2,000 people per hour
- Cheap but slow
Detachable chairlift:
- The chair detaches from the rope in the station, so you can board slowly and comfortably
- Back on the line, it clips onto the rope again and travels at up to 5 m/s
- Capacity: 2,400-3,600 people per hour
- More comfort, with bubble covers, heated seats and footrests
Gondolas
Enclosed cabins for 6, 8, 10 or 15 people:
- Full shelter from wind and snow
- Speed: 5-6 m/s
- Capacity: 2,800-4,000 people per hour
- Ideal for long links and for non-skiers
Traditional cable cars (aerial tramways)
Large cabins (up to 200 people) running to and fro on a single track rope:
- Used for big vertical rises
- Limited capacity (each cabin has to wait for the other one)
- Iconic examples: the Mont Blanc cable car and the Marmolada Funifor
3S gondolas (three ropes)
The most advanced technology: three ropes (2 track ropes and 1 haul rope):
- Outstanding stability, even in strong wind
- Capacity up to 5,500 people per hour
- Cabins for up to 35 people
- Example: the 3S at Kronplatz (Plan de Corones)
The technology behind the scenes
Safety systems
Every modern lift has at least five layers of safety:
- Service brake: slows and stops the lift in normal operation
- Emergency brake: stops the lift at once if anything goes wrong
- Swing sensor: detects when chairs or cabins sway too much
- Rope derailment detector: raises the alarm if the rope comes off a sheave
- Emergency drive: diesel or electric, so the lift can be emptied after a breakdown
Inspection and approval
In Italy, every lift is inspected and approved by USTIF, the Ministry of Transport’s special office for fixed-installation transport:
- Compulsory annual inspection
- Full overhaul every 20-40 years (depending on the type)
- Load tests and tests of the emergency systems
Automation and IoT
The latest lifts include:
- IoT sensors on every component for predictive maintenance
- Automatic speed control according to passenger numbers
- Noise reduction systems to limit their environmental impact
- Solar panels on the stations to produce their own energy
- Apps for skiers: live queue times and lift status
Italian lifts in numbers
| Figure | Value |
|---|---|
| Ski lifts in Italy | about 2,200 |
| Chairlifts | about 1,000 |
| Drag lifts | about 700 |
| Gondolas and cable cars | about 400 |
| Total capacity | about 1.5 million people per hour |
The future of lifts
Emerging trends
- Urban cable cars: lifts used as public transport in cities (Bolzano already has one)
- Four-season lifts: gondolas used for mountain biking and hiking in summer
- Zero emissions: lifts running entirely on renewable energy
- The ride itself: cabins with panoramic glass, audio guides and augmented reality
To find out about this season’s new lifts, read our article on new lifts for 2025/26. To explore every ski area and its lifts, visit our resort pages.