Construction on a new, futuristic-looking Doppelmayr gondola that connects the town of Campitello to the ski slopes in the resort-dense Val di Fassa, Italy, is underway.Renderings of the upper and lower terminals show sleek structures cloaked in metal and glass. The tri-cable (that's three cables overhead instead of one), gondola replaces an aging, 40-year-old predecessor.According to a release shared by Doppelmayr, the historic tramway, which only had an hourly capacity of approximately 1,000 passengers, created long queues of skiers. That prompted the replacement.The updated model features 22 cabins and, in its initial phase, will be able to carry approximately 2,177 passengers per hour with the possibility of expanding to 2,812 passengers per hour in the future.The installation will have several bells and whistles, like a fully automated cabin wash system, heated seats in the cabins, and an adjustable layout that can make room for bicycles, paragliders, and other action sports equipment. Some cabins are even equipped to carry hang gliders.Other features include intercoms, lighted cabins, and information monitors. Large glass windows will provide panoramic views of the surrounding Dolomites.Want to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates.
A rendering of the new Campitello station.Photo: Courtesy STIC/Doppelmayr
The investment in the gondola was started by SITC, a tourism development company that manages several ski lifts in the Val di Fassa. Daniele Dezulian, the president of SITC, said, in a statement, that the new gondola will be equally important in the winter and the summer, as it transports visitors to a dense network of hiking trails and other lifts.“The increased capacity and speed of transport, combined with new, more comfortable and panoramic vehicles, will certainly be a major tourist attraction for admiring the beauty of the Dolomites and the Val di Fassa area,” Dezulian added, noting that the new gondola is the largest project SITC has undergone to date. Doppelmayr is a global company that manufactures chairlifts, gondolas, and other types of ropeways. North American skiers will likely be familiar with the company’s products, which appear at ski resorts across the continent.
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New Gondola or Spaceship? Italy Building High-Tech Ski Lift first appeared on Powder on Jul 11, 2025
