Austria — In the latest example of Europe’s lift infrastructure being well ahead of North America’s ski industry, one of Austria’s most popular ski resorts is adding three new bubble chairlifts over the next few years.
Over the past few weeks, Ischgl has been teasing a collaboration with Doppelmayr. In prior posts on social media, the Austrian ski resort showed off the futuristic-looking bubble chairlifts. For context, Ischgl is part of the massive Silvretta Arena ski area in Tyrol.
This week, Ischgl officially announced the 50 million Euro (roughly $56 million) project. This offseason will see the replacement of two six-pack chairlifts with two Doppelmayr D-Line eight-pack bubble chairlifts, with another replacement planned for 2026-27. Each of these new chairlifts will feature bubble covers to protect guests from the elements, along with heated seats.
The Höllboden C1 is a detachable high-speed eight-pack chairlift that has moved 30 million guests since 2000. A Doppelmayr bubble high-speed eight-pack chairlift will replace it. It will serve easy and intermediate terrain. This will be the only new chairlift of the bunch that will have a different alignment, with the top terminal ending between pistes 10 and 11. The new chairlift will be able to carry 4200 passengers per hour, and it will have a ride time of four minutes. The old eight-pack will be moved to the See ski area in Tirol.
The Sassgalun C3 will be the other chairlift project going on this offseason. The old high-speed six-pack will be replaced by an (you guessed it) eight-pack bubble chairlift. This new chairlift will serve intermediate terrain. Sassgalun will carry a maximum of 3400 people per hour and have a ride time of 1.7 minutes.
The longest new chairlift of the bunch will be the Höllkar C2, which will service beginner and intermediate terrain. What is currently a detachable high-speed six-pack chairlift will be replaced by a detachable high-speed eight-pack bubble chairlift. The new chairlift will carry 4200 passengers per hour and have a ride time of 5.1 minutes. This is the chairlift that will debut during the 2026-27 season.
The Höllboden C1 & Sassgalun C3 will open during the 2025-26 season, whilst the Höllkar C2 lift will open during the 2026-27 season.
Add in the fact that Ischgl will be joining the Ikon Pass next winter, and it sounds like a great time for North Americans to visit.
Image/Video Credits: Ischgl (Silvrettaseilbahn AG)
