29 Mar Melzer & Hopfner Outlook 2023 – Press release of the trade magazine SBT
For almost 35 years now, the Vorarlberg ropeway planning office Melzer & Hopfner has been one of the most renowned ropeway planners in the Alpine region. Over 300 ropeway projects have been successfully realized during this time, a truly impressive number that is second to none. Once again this year, several large and unique projects are on track and are rapidly approaching their destination from spring 2023. We would like to present a selection of this year’s projects that have already been negotiated.
8SBK Limbergbahn
Saalbach (Salzburg)
Scope of services M&H:
– Study of variants
– Cable car planning
– Structural engineering planning including design
– Tender for ropeway technology and construction works
– Coordination of authorities
– Site management
Endless pistes, snow-covered slopes and a fascinating landscape. The Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn offers skiing pleasure at the highest level and, with around 270 kilometers of slopes, is one of the largest and most attractive ski areas in Austria and the world.
But even a top destination must constantly evolve in order to stay up to date. This year in Saalbach, the fixed-grip 4-seater Limberg chairlift from 1994 will be replaced by a modern and contemporary 8-seater chairlift. The new building will significantly increase transport capacity and comfort on the sunny side of the Schattberg. Long waiting and travel times will soon be a thing of the past. With the new valley station location, the cable car system has been significantly extended and a generous slope area has also been created. At the same time, the building will have a dual use. A technical center with a workshop, office, warehouse and space for several pieces of snow grooming equipment will be created in the basement.
The heating energy for the valley station is provided by a heat pump with deep probes. The large-scale PV system on the south-facing façade supplies the valley station building directly with its own green electricity. The idea of sustainability is also reflected in the design of the new cable car system as a possible all-year cable car. If required, the 8SBK Limbergbahn can comfortably transport up to 5 downhill bikes per chair in summer.
The necessary permits have already been obtained and construction work began in March.
6SBK Wildkopfbahn
Turrach (Styria)
Scope of services M&H:
– Study of variants
– Cable car planning
– Structural engineering planning including design
– Tender for ropeway technology and construction works
– Coordination of authorities
– Site management
Located on the border between Styria and Carinthia, Turracher Höhe has always been an insider tip for discerning guests due to its guaranteed snow and scenic beauty.
In recent years, there has been continuous investment in the quality of lifts and snowmaking. Those responsible at Bergbahnen Turracher Höhe once again put their trust in their tried and tested partners. Melzer & Hopfner from Bregenz were entrusted with the overall planning. The technical concept of the cable car provides for a detachable 6-seater chairlift with weather protection hoods, comfort seats and seat heating. The structural concept is basically very simple and restrained. The architecture by Melzer & Hopfner combines the typical features of the region with maximum functionality. Both the operations building in the valley station and the façade surfaces of the mountain station will be equipped with PV modules.
The necessary approvals have already been obtained. Construction work will begin immediately after the end of the ski season.
Numerous retrofits of PV systems on cable cars
Even in the past, the engineers at Melzer & Hopfner were keen to integrate PV modules into the high-rise station buildings in a visually appealing way wherever possible. Demand for retrofitting PV systems rose significantly last year. As experienced cable car planners, we are familiar with the special requirements in alpine regions and in the vicinity of cable cars. We provide our customers with technical support in the form of planning and tendering for PV systems, as well as carrying out the necessary approval procedures. Demand for PV retrofits remains high in the current year, so we are looking forward to a large number of retrofit projects.
General information
The realization of construction projects is usually preceded by a planning phase lasting several years. At Melzer & Hopfner, we are convinced that careful planning is essential for timely and smooth construction work. We are currently able to carry out various ski resort studies, preliminary concepts and approval planning for our customers. These lay the foundation for strategic, technical and economic decisions and thus the prerequisite for the successful projects of tomorrow.
Source: sbt 2/23 – Melzer & Hopfner report
