Out with the Old: Zermatt Retires Its Most Senior Chairlift for a Cutting-Edge 6-Seater

A foundational piece of history in the Matterhorn Ski Paradise is stepping down to make way for the future. Zermatt Bergbahnen AG has announced that the iconic Patrullarve chairlift—the oldest operating system in the entire resort—will be completely dismantled this summer after 37 years of continuous service.

In its place, crews are breaking ground on a state-of-the-art, high-speed 6-seater chairlift designed to completely revitalize the highly trafficked Patrullarve–Sunnegga–Blauherd sector. The new system is scheduled to welcome its first skiers for the opening of the 2026/27 winter season.

A Historic Run Comes to a Close

First opened on December 6, 1989, to replace an outdated 1960s-era T-bar, the fixed-grip 4-seater Patrullarve chairlift has been a workhorse for the Swiss resort. Over its nearly four decades of operation, the lift safely transported approximately 24 million guests up the mountain.

However, as international visitor numbers have surged, the aging lift increasingly became a bottleneck for skiers trying to move efficiently between the resort's diverse sectors.

Swiss Premiere for "Ropera" Technology

The replacement system isn't just an incremental upgrade; it represents a major technological milestone for the alpine ropeway industry. Built by Italian manufacturer Leitner, the new lift will be the first chairlift in Switzerland—and only the second worldwide—to utilize the company’s newly unveiled Ropera infrastructure concept.

The Ropera system focuses heavily on maximizing mechanical longevity while drastically minimizing resource consumption. Key features of the new build include:

• Pioneering Automation: Alongside the neighboring Kumme and Hublot lifts, the new Patrullarve system will feature the LeitPilot autonomous platform, allowing it to operate securely with an unmanned mountain station.

• Eco-Efficiency: The engineering uses highly durable, modular components that are up to 95% recyclable, boasting optimized maintenance intervals to reduce costly operational downtime.

• Acoustic Insulation: Advanced rope deflection adjustments and redesigned sheaves drastically reduce operating noise and ground vibrations, offering a whisper-quiet ride.

• Premium Upgrades for Future Generations

For the everyday skier and snowboarder, the upgrade means an end to freezing lift lines. The new detachable 6-seater will operate at a top speed of 6 meters per second, slashing transit times across its 2,075-meter length.

To maximize guest comfort in unpredictable alpine weather, the chairs will come fully equipped with protective weather bubbles and integrated seat heating. Furthermore, the capacity is set to scale up to an impressive 3,200 passengers per hour.

"With this investment, we are underlining our commitment to continuously enhancing the mountain experience," said a spokesperson for Zermatt Bergbahnen AG. "This facility will continue to set new standards for decades to come."

The resort also confirmed that the new lift will serve a dual purpose: during the summer months, the chairs will be outfitted with specialized racks to transport mountain bikes, establishing the Sunnegga-Blauherd zone as a premier year-round adventure destination. Heavy excavation and foundational work are already underway on the mountain, paving the way for a smarter, more resilient alpine network.