On April 4, the municipality of Saanen will vote on Development Plan No. 88, which pertains to the tourism region of Saanenmöser-Schönried. Central to the proposal is the expansion of cable car infrastructure and the introduction of new mountain bike trails on the Horneggli and Hornberg.
The vote will also address amendments to the zoning plan and construction regulations. What exactly is at stake? We investigated.

What is this vote about?
The municipal assembly will decide on Development Plan No. 88, which proposes to redefine the Saanenmöser-Schönried area from a “winter sports area” to a “tourism area.” The aim is to promote year-round tourism, according to the explanatory notes accompanying the vote. Key elements of the proposal include:

- Replacing the outdated Horneggli chairlift with a new gondola from Schönried via Horneggli to Hornberg 

- Relocating and upgrading the Saanenwald–Hornfluh chairlift (located at the mid-station of the current Saanersloch lift) 

- Constructing a new Gfell–Hornfluh chairlift 

- Dismantling the obsolete Hornfluh and Lätzgüetli ski lifts, which are no longer in use 

- Building new mountain bike trails for summer tourism 

- Improving the parking infrastructure at the Schönried valley station 

The proposal also includes changes to the zoning plan to ensure that the new facilities are legally permissible.

Who is leading the project?
The project is spearheaded by Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG (BDG) and Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus (GST). Once the public approves the development plan, BDG will submit the planning application for the lift systems to the federal government, while GST will submit a building permit application to the canton for the mountain bike trails.

Why is the cable car infrastructure being renewed?
The Saanenmöser-Schönried area is one of the region’s most important tourism zones—for both visitors and lift operations. However, the infrastructure is heavily outdated. 

“The two triple chairlifts were built in 1984 and 1986, and some of their key components are no longer available,” explains BDG Managing Director Matthias In-Albon. 

Last winter, the company salvaged spare control parts from the decommissioned Rellerli lift, some dating back to 1981. “If we face a breakdown and can’t source replacements, the lift simply stops,” he emphasises. 

A full replacement is urgent. “It’s frankly amazing the lifts are still running on such old systems,” says In-Albon with a smile. “I don’t think many households still have functional computers from 1984—do you?”

When could construction begin?
Construction can begin once the federal and cantonal approvals are granted. According to In-Albon, if the vote passes in April, BDG will submit its federal planning application this summer, which takes about nine months. 

“We hope to break ground in 2026 and open the Horneggli–Hornberg gondola in December 2027,” he explains. The existing lift will remain in operation for summer 2026, but there will be no summer service in 2027 due to construction.

How is the project being financed?
In 2022, the municipal assembly approved a contribution of 40% toward the investment, capped at CHF 36 million. An additional CHF 2.5 million comes from neighbouring municipalities (Zweisimmen, Lauenen, and Gsteig). 

The Canton of Bern provides an interest-free loan of CHF 10 million over 25 years. BDG will cover the remaining funds through equity and bank loans. 

“At that time, 96% of voters approved the project—such overwhelming support continues to touch me,” says In-Albon.

What does the project mean for summer tourism?
Beyond the winter infrastructure upgrades, the project also features new summer attractions. GST is developing new mountain bike trails in the Horneggli–Hornberg area to enhance the destination's appeal year-round and promote sustainable tourism.

“This development is fully in line with our long-term strategy,” says Flurin Riedi, Tourism Director and CEO of GST. 

The new trails are being developed in close coordination with the municipality and will be designed for use both with and without lift access, particularly for e-bikers. “This way, both GST and BDG benefit from a positive synergy,” Riedi explains.

A key consideration during planning was ensuring that hikers and bikers can share the landscape harmoniously. “Minimising conflicts between user groups is critical,” says Riedi. “If the development plan is approved, we’ll reach a major milestone.”

Mountain bike trails have long been neglected in the Canton of Bern, while other cantons like Graubünden and Valais have led the way. GST has been instrumental in pushing forward change through the BeBike initiative.

Are there any objections to the project?
During the public review of the development plan, eight objections and one legal reservation were submitted. The municipal council will update the assembly on the status of these negotiations. 

In-Albon is optimistic: “Many concerns have already been resolved and either withdrawn or converted into formal reservations. None of the objections represent fundamental opposition to the project.”

What would a yes or no vote mean?

According to In-Albon, the voters gave their clear approval for this generational project and its funding back in 2022. Since then, BDG and GST have worked to flesh out the project. 

On 4 April, voters now have the chance to approve the spatial planning requirements. “This vote is the logical follow-up to the one held in 2022: first the financial commitment, now the land-use approval, and soon the detailed project authorisation,” In-Albon says. 

A 'yes' is crucial for all parties involved—especially given the urgent need to replace the Horneggli lift. “It’s already five past midnight. Without these updates, we’ll soon be without functioning transport infrastructure.”

Until now, BDG has faced long delays due to administrative bottlenecks and jurisdictional disagreements between the federal and cantonal authorities, which have delayed planning by two years. 

Bringing this proposal to the public now brings both relief and excitement to BDG. “A 'yes' vote is a decisive step forward,” says In-Albon.

Based on AvS | JOP