After extensive discussions between the Friends of the Rellerli Association, Mountain View AG, Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus (GST) and the municipality of Saanen there may be is a solution for the future development of the Rellerli.

The project has two sides: one was the wish of the Friends of the Rellerli to build a new gondola lift to give those who cannot hike up access to the mountain. On the other, the intention of Mountain View AG was to convert the existing building of the mountain station into an ecologically responsible “mountain hut” that can be booked by the public. According to the tender, the building project involves the partial demolition and new construction of the Berghaus Rellerli, including the restaurant with 20 seats and terraces with 50 seats, a fumoir with six seats and nine guest rooms.

There is a project for a new direct connection between the valley station and the mountain station by a low-floor cable car that will be equipped with the latest environmentally friendly batteries and solar cells. The capacity of the cable car will be deliberately limited to control the impact on the environment. The aim is for the cable car to operate both in winter and summer.

Ski slopes and the old lifts will not be put back into operation, but the winter hiking and the snowshoe trails will remain. The planning application has been submitted, and so have the objections. The next step in this procedure is an exchange of correspondence between the project teams and the objectors. To be continued.

BASED ON AVS/ANITA MOSER