30 Apr 8SBK SenderExpress – Test winner 2020
The 8-SBK SenderExpress is the second 8-seater chairlift in the Almenwelt Lofer ski area that has been specially adapted for children. The route of the 8-SBK SenderExpress is slightly longer than its predecessor, but the travel time is roughly halved due to the higher travel speed. The main slope in the lower area was widened and a new slope was created on the old cable car route.
GENERAL PLANNING BY THE OFFICE MELZER & HOPFNER
The Bergbahnen Lofer are a particularly family-friendly ski area. The Almenwelt Lofer has already received several awards in this category and is constantly investing in more safety and comfort with a focus on the youngest customers.
The first child-safe 8-seater chairlift was built on the Schwarzeck back in 2013. The investment in an additional 8-seater chairlift, which replaces the existing fixed-grip 4-seater chairlift, represents an enormous leap in quality. The new SenderExpress is the world’s first ropeway company with two child-safe 8-seater chairlifts.
The two above-mentioned cable cars score points above all with automatic locking bars on the chairs, bubbles and heated seats. At the valley station of the modern SenderExpress, a liftable conveyor belt at the entrance ensures maximum comfort for children and their companions. The people waiting at the entrance are automatically scanned for height by laser. The lifting height of the conveyor belt is based on the smallest person at the entrance. This ensures that the smallest guests have an ideal entry height. The new SenderExpress not only offers more comfort and safety, but also additional skiing pleasure. The new valley station was built approx. 70 m further down the valley. As a result, a new slope was created and the existing ones were optimized and widened. The mountain station remains unchanged at Schönbühel at 1623 meters. The SenderExpress was officially opened on 14.12.2019.
FACTS AND FIGURES
- Conveying capacity: 3000P/h in the initial expansion (3400 P/h in the final expansion) – previously max. 1800 P/h
- Travel time or speed: 5 min. or 5.5 meters/sec. – (previously 12 min. or 2.2 m/sec.)
- Length: 1200 meters (previously 1140m)
- Total investment: 10.5 million euros
We are delighted to have been involved in this fantastic cable car project as general planners and would like to congratulate Loferer Bergbahnen GmbH on receiving the Skiresort.at award for the world’s best lift 2020 – 8-SBK SenderExpress
