Zermatt

Zermatt is one of the oldest and most well-established mountain resorts in the European Alps. In 1998, Ecosign prepared a master plan for the Zermatt Matterhornbahnen AG, one of the five lift companies that operated in the Matterhorn region surrounding Zermatt, Switzerland. Ecosign thereafter completed master plans for the Zermatter-Rothorn AG and a study of transportation issues in the Village for the Gemeinde (local government) of Zermatt. After completing master plans for these competing lift operation areas Ecosign recommended that the areas consider merging to take advantage of operational efficiencies and improve the guest experience. The five lift companies in Zermatt merged into one company in the fall of 2002 leading and Ecosign was retained to prepare a master plan for the new company Zermatt Bergbahnen AG.

Since the merger completed in 2002, Zermatt Bergbahnen AG has already invested more than CHF 350 million in implementing the Ecosign Master Plan. The most important projects include:

• Construction of the Matterhorn Express, a four section eight passenger gondola system: Zermatt-Furi-Schwarzsee-Furgg-Trockenersteg
• Six-seater chairlift with protective bubble, Furggsattel Gletscherbahn
• Six-seater chairlift with protective bubble, Gifthittli
• Extension of the Gandegg ski lift
• The Sunnegga-Blauherd combibahn; eight seat gondola and six seat chairlift
• New eight passenger gondola Furi-Schweigmatten-Riffelberg
• Four-seater, two section chairlift Sunnegga-Findeln-Breitboden
• Stockhorn ski lift

The Matterhorn Glacier ride was completed in the winter of 2018/19. This 3S cable car, the highest in the world, links the Trockener Steg station with the Klein Matterhorn station situated at 3,821 metres above sea level. Up to 2,000 passengers an hour can be carried in the 25 comfortable cabins, each with 28 seats. Guests enjoy a nine-minute journey in first-class comfort and with a fantastic panoramic view of the magical, alpine Zermatt world. The cost was $60 million CHF and construction time was 2 years due to the harsh construction environment

From the end of summer 2019, it will display information on the forthcoming Alpine Crossing project. Alpine Crossing will make it possible to cross the Alps by cable car (from Cervinia via Klein Matterhorn to Zermatt). Until summer 2021, LEITNER ropeways will be constructing a 3S cable car from Klein Matterhorn to Testa Grigia.