The Swiss cableway association Bergbahnen Schweiz introduced uniform voluntary measures: more space in large gondolas and clear signage and guiding systems to ensure the necessary distance between winter sports enthusiasts.

“The cable car industry is aware of the difficult epidemiological situation,” wrote Bergbahnen Schweiz in a media release at the beginning of December. Therefore, the industry voluntarily decided on new measures. Since 18 December, large gondolas (25 people or more) have operated with a maximum of 70 per cent of their regular capacity. In the case of Glacier 3000, this translates to 85 people instead of 125.

Distance rule
Like last year, proper queuing is a central element, too. On Glacier 3000, grids and clear signage guide and inform guests. Additionally, all doors in the stations remain open to ensure good ventilation. Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad (BDG) also apply the standard distance rules in the outdoor areas and corresponding guiding systems. The valley station of the Wasserngrat chairlift is outdoors anyway. A permanently installed guiding system guarantees a certain distance between queuers.

Why voluntary measures?
With the additional measures, the association enables uniform solutions throughout Switzerland. They hope to avoid a patchwork of actions, as it was the case last year. “Bergbahnen Schweiz is satisfied that pragmatic and feasible solution could be found in cooperation with the mountain cantons.” BDG implemented these measures as a precaution: “The voluntary introduction of stricter measures serves to avoid a Swisswide certificate requirement in ski resorts.”

BASED ON AVS/BLANCA BURRI