Montafon Lift System

Montafon ski region has a modern ski lift system serving 219km of marked runs in four main ski areas. There are 4 cable cars, 10 gondolas, 25 chairlifts and 22 surface lifts (drag lifts and magic carpets for children) with a capacity of 15,745 riders per hour.

The chairlifts include high-speed 8-person and 6-person chairs with bubble covers, 6 high-speed 4-seater chairlifts as well as fixed grip chairs for 2-3 persons and a quaint single-seater ski lift.

As well as an efficient lift system transporting you up the mountain, Montafon ski region includes two ski- tunnels allowing you through the mountain including the impressive 476m Hochjoch tunnel which is the largest in the world and not to be missed!

The ‘Montafon Card’ (for 3-days or more) hands-free ski lift pass is valid for all ski areas in Montafon as well as allowing free travel on the Montafonerbahn railway between Bludenz and Schruns and on buses operating throughout the Montafon region.

Cable cars4
Gondolas10
High-Speed 8 person1
High-Speed 6 person5
High-Speed 4 person6
Triple chairs2
Double chairs10
Surface lifts22
Rides per hour15,745

The lift system works well with minimal queuing except at the very busiest times first thing in the morning at feeder lifts in the valley, but the queues move quickly enough. Recent improvements to the lift system include the new 6-seater Vermiel chair in place of the old drag lifts, heated seating for the 6-seater Sesselbahn Nova and SB Nova chairlifts, new magic carpet lifts giving easier access for children to the nursery slopes at Garfrescha and the extension of the Nova Park.

The entire lift system at Gargellen is owned and operated by Gargellen Bergbahnen, which is independent of the main Montafon ski lift company, but equally committed to improvements. A new chairlift will replace Gargellen’s Schafberg T-bar in time for 2009/10. Ski lift attendant Kurt Lippitsch is retiring after 25 years loyal service manning the same T-bar each season.

The old T-bar capacity was 780 skiers per hour and Gargellen Ski Lift company director Dietmar Lorenzin estimates Kurt has helped more than 7 million skiers ride the lift over 25 years – so we’re pleased to wish Kurt a happy retirement!

The main Montafon ski lift company is planning major investments in a new gondola to Silvretta Nova and a new lift from Silvretta to Hochjoch, hopefully in time for 2010/11. The Montafon railway line, from Bludenz to Schruns, used to run as far as Partenen and the original route still exists. The Montafon ski lift company is seeking permission to extend the railway from Schruns at least as far as St Gallenkirch and to link with the proposed new lifts and reduce road traffic in the valley.

There are special lift pass deals for families and in low season. Families buying lift passes for at least one adult and for two children aged 16 or under, will be given free lift passes for any additional children (ID required).

Low season deals in the middle two weeks January allow you to stay and ski for 7 days– lift pass and accommodation – but pay for only 5 days, and form late March onwards if at least one parent pays to stay and ski for a minimum 5 days then children under 12 can stay (in parents room) and ski free of charge.

See www.montafon.at for up-to-date information about special offers.

Montafoner Bergbahnen
Montafonerstr. 21
A-6780 Schruns, Montafon
Tel: +43 (0) 5556 754400
Email: bergbahnen@montafon.at
Web: www.montafon.at

Gargellner Bergbahnen
A-6787 Gargellen, Montafon
Tel: +43 (0) 5557 6310-0
Email: info@traumschnee.at
Web: www.traumschnee.at