Cable cars are the beating heart of every ski resort. Without them, the mountains would be inaccessible to the vast majority of skiers. But the technology behind a lift system is far more sophisticated than most people realise: mechanical engineering, electronics, composite materials and safety systems converge in structures that operate under extreme conditions.
A brief history of ski lifts
The origins
- 1908: the first rope-tow ski lift is built in Switzerland
- 1936: the first modern chairlift is installed at Sun Valley (USA)
- 1946: Italy installs its first chairlifts at Cervinia and Cortina
- 1956: for the Cortina Olympics, Italy’s first large-capacity gondola lifts are built
Italy’s role in the evolution
Italy has played a fundamental role in the development of lift systems:
- Leitner (Vipiteno, South Tyrol): one of the world’s leading manufacturers
- Doppelmayr/Garaventa: with production facilities in Italy as well
- Poma: historic French manufacturer with a strong Italian presence
Modern lift types
Ski tows (surface lifts)
The simplest type: a continuous rope to which you attach with a platter or T-bar:
- Capacity: 600-900 persons/hour
- Speed: 3-4 m/s
- Cost: the cheapest to install
- Ideal for: beginner areas and short sections
Chairlifts
The backbone of every resort:
Fixed-grip chairlift:
- The chair is permanently attached to the moving cable
- Constant speed: 2-2.5 m/s
- Capacity: 1,200-2,000 persons/hour
- Economical but slow
Detachable chairlift (high-speed):
- The chair detaches in the station for a slow, comfortable boarding
- Re-attaches to the cable on the line at speeds up to 5 m/s
- Capacity: 2,400-3,600 persons/hour
- Superior comfort with bubbles, heated seats and footrests
Gondolas
Enclosed cabins with 6, 8, 10 or 15 seats:
- Full protection from wind and snow
- Speed: 5-6 m/s
- Capacity: 2,800-4,000 persons/hour
- Ideal for long connections and non-skiers
Traditional aerial tramways
Large cabins (up to 200 persons) swinging on a single carrying cable:
- Used for large vertical drops
- Limited capacity (must wait for the opposite cabin)
- Iconic examples: Funivia del Monte Bianco, Funifor della Marmolada
3S cable car (three-cable)
The most advanced technology: three cables (2 carrying + 1 haul):
- Exceptional stability even in strong winds
- Capacity up to 5,500 persons/hour
- Cabins up to 35 seats
- Example: the 3S at Plan de Corones
The technology behind the scenes
Safety systems
Every modern lift has at least 5 levels of safety:
- Service brake: slows and stops the lift under normal conditions
- Emergency brake: immediate stop in case of anomaly
- Anti-pendulation sensor: detects excessive vehicle oscillation
- Cable derailment detector: alarm if the cable leaves the sheave
- Emergency drive: diesel or electric, allows evacuation in case of breakdown
Certification
In Italy, every lift is certified by the USTIF (Special Office for Fixed-Track Transport) of the Ministry of Transport:
- Mandatory annual inspection
- General overhaul every 20-40 years (depending on type)
- Load tests and emergency system tests
Automation and IoT
The latest generation of lifts integrates:
- IoT sensors on every component for predictive maintenance
- Automatic speed regulation based on passenger flow
- Noise reduction systems to minimise environmental impact
- Photovoltaic panels on stations for energy self-sufficiency
- Skier apps: real-time wait times, lift open status
Italian lift statistics
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Ski lifts in Italy | approximately 2,200 |
| Chairlifts | approximately 1,000 |
| Ski tows | approximately 700 |
| Gondolas and cable cars | approximately 400 |
| Total capacity | approximately 1.5 million persons/hour |
The future of lifts
Emerging trends
- Urban gondolas: rope-way systems for public transport in cities (Bolzano already has one)
- Four-season lifts: gondolas used for mountain biking and trekking in summer
- Zero emissions: lifts powered 100% by renewable sources
- On-board experience: cabins with panoramic glass, audio guides, augmented reality
To discover the new lifts of this season, read our article on new ski lifts 2025-2026. To explore all resorts and their lifts, visit our resort pages.