On Saturday, 14th December 2024 the world’s steepest cable car starts operating. The new direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren was officially opened the day before as part of a VIP opening ceremony. At the same time, the first section of the cable car between Mürren and Birg will go into operation.
It marks the completion of the first major construction phase of the SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX project: the opening of the new direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren. It is the steepest cable car in the world with a gradient of 159.4 per cent. The classic aerial cableway connects the valley floor with the car-free mountain village in just four minutes via the vertical walls of the Mürrenfluh. It covers a height of 775 metres on a journey of almost 1194 metres. The two cable cars from Carvatech in Oberwies, Austria, have space for 85 people or 6.8 tonnes of cargo. 800 people per hour can be transported at full capacity. A striking feature is the very long suspension arm of 11 metres, which was essential due to the extreme gradient. The AURO system (Autonomous Ropeway Operation) aerial cableway with constant monitoring by cameras and sensors enables autonomous operation without personnel inside the cable cars and stations. A fully automated loading robot takes care of freight logistics. Transportation of luggage and cargo are synchronised with the passengers in a container attached underneath the cable car.
Grand opening
On Friday, 13th December 2024, the cable car was officially opened in the presence of over 600 guests. The lively celebration, hosted by Monika Erb, took place in the new Stechelberg valley station. In addition to the official opening ceremony and rides on the new cable car, guests were able to take a guided tour of the buildings to get accustomed to the new Stechelberg and Mürren stations. Food and drink at a variety of food stands and interesting interviews with project managers rounded off the supporting programme. The party continued late into the night at the bar.
First Funifor cable car in Switzerland
At the same time as the world’s steepest cable car opened, the first track of the Funifor cable car on the second section between Mürren and Birg also went into operation. It is the first cableway of this type in Switzerland. During the winter months, both the old and the new cableway will operate side by side on this section to guarantee the transport capacity during the ski operations. The opening of the second Funifor track is planned for November 2025. The two tracks with the exceptionally wind-resistant cable cars, each designed for 100 people, will be mechanically independent. In the event of an inspection, one carriageway will be shut down while the second can continue to operate. This enables operation 365 days a year, making the maintenance breaks a thing of the past. During normal service, the two tracks are electrically coupled, so the cable cars are operated as a ‘classic’ pendulum aerial cableway.
Visible cable car technology
It’s not just the cableways that are unique, the stations also have their own special features. The bright copper façades that surround each station are striking. The same goes for the finger docks on the mountain stations, which protrude outwards on concrete V-supports and thus provide an unobstructed view of the surrounding mountains. Another special feature is the visible cable car technology, which is modelled on the old Gimmelwald cable car station. Due to a lack of space and the steep angle, the guide wheels were placed outside the station on the roof in the 1960s. This character has now been transferred to the new stations. Another unusual feature is the fact that the cable car at the Stechelberg station does not exit the station at the front due to the steepness of the cable car, it exits and arrives through the roof. All the buildings are characterised by clear lines of sight, a uniform lighting concept and clear, concise guest orientation.
Schilthorn summit remains closed until March 2025
Operations on the top section between Birg and Schilthorn have been suspended since mid-October. The first track of the new cable car – also a Funifor – is scheduled to go into operation on 15th March 2025. The second track will follow in spring 2026, completing the project.
