Stanserhorn Railway launches pioneering summit project
15/May/2026
The Stanserhorn Railway is making a strong statement about the future of its alpine summit experience: The "Stanserhorn ++" project will see the construction of a modern, three-story wood and glass building at the mountain station, replacing the existing structure and sustainably raising both the guest experience and working conditions to a new level. The opening is planned for 2030.
Under the project name "Stanserhorn ++", the board of directors and management of the Stanserhorn Railway are intensively engaged in further developing the mountain experience. The winning project presented is a three-story new building made of wood and glass, which replaces and modernizes all the existing facilities next to the mountain station. It combines modern architecture with a warm, inviting atmosphere and creates space for a significantly expanded range of dining and tourist offerings.
The design consciously references the history of the Stanserhorn: the architectural language is reminiscent of the historic hotel from the early days of tourism – but consistently adapted for day visitors and event guests. The striking roofline follows the route of the former funicular railway and creates a strong, identity-defining landmark. An open passageway on the ground floor creates a flowing experience and is complemented by a new platform facing north.
More comfort, more experience, more view
At the heart of the project are spacious, light-filled rooms, diverse dining options, and a significant increase in guest comfort. Expansive glass facades offer spectacular panoramic views of the Swiss Plateau, Lake Lucerne, and the Alps. The terrace is restored to its original form and expanded with additional outdoor areas on all floors – a clear advantage for visitors.
Several elevators and modern restrooms on each floor ensure noticeably improved accessibility.
" This project will sustainably improve the experience for our guests and also the working conditions for our team ," says Peter Bircher, Managing Director of the Stanserhorn Railway.
Response to increased guest numbers and changing needs
The current infrastructure – consisting of a restaurant, kitchen, self-service area, shop, and restrooms – is based on four to five different foundations dating from 1893 to 2001 and has remained unchanged for many years. It no longer fully meets the diverse needs of guests. Furthermore, since the opening of the convertible cable car, the number of visitors has increased by over 60 percent, which repeatedly leads to capacity bottlenecks.
The new building offers a diverse range of spaces for individual guests, groups and companies:
Self-service restaurant for 120 people
Banquet restaurant for 150 people
Seminar rooms for 150 people
Full-service restaurant for 60 people
Spacious terraces, facing north and south
Spacious shop
“In the future, we will be able to optimally serve our banquet and individual guests. With the new à la carte restaurant, we are also fulfilling a frequently expressed wish of our visitors,” explains Peter Bircher. “At the same time, we offer ideal conditions for seminars and events – combined with an unparalleled view and an inspiring panorama.”
Selection of the winning project
The selected project emerged from a design competition to which eight architectural firms were invited. The consortium ARGE Weitschies Krähenbühl from Chur emerged victorious. "The project impressed the jury with its architectural and aesthetic sophistication, its high operational feasibility, and its harmonious integration into the alpine environment," explains André Britschgi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Stanserhorn Railway. He adds that "the building's design language and functionality are ideally suited to the Stanserhorn and fulfill the requirements for a modern, sustainable, and future-oriented summit offering."
The Stanserhorn Railway placed particular emphasis on the early involvement of authorities and associations. "It was very important to us to involve the authorities and associations in the process and to gather their opinions early on. The exchange was always constructive and solution-oriented," emphasizes André Britschgi.
Planning, costs and construction process
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028, depending on the permitting process. The construction period is expected to last approximately two years, with the opening planned for 2030. The investment costs amount to CHF 34 million. During construction, the Stanserhorn will remain open, albeit with reduced capacity of 80 to 100 seats.
