New 6-Seat Chair To Replace Zermatt’s Oldest
New 6-Seat Chair To Replace Zermatt’s Oldest
Published : 02-May-2026 15:06
A new generation of chairlift is under construction at the Matterhorn Ski Paradise on the Swiss/Italian border.
Zermatt's oldest chairlift, the Patrullarve quad, is being replaced by a state-of-the-art 6-seater chairlift after 37 years in operation, ahead of the 2026/27 ski seasons.
The new chairlift utilises the innovative 'ROPERA' technology from cable car manufacturer Leitner and will be the first chairlift of this type in Switzerland and the second worldwide. It sets new standards in performance including quiet operation and efficient, sustainable construction Zermatt's lift company says. Durable components, optimised maintenance intervals and energy-efficient systems contribute significantly to this.
Following the Kumme gondola and the Hublot chairlift, the new lift will also be equipped for autonomous operation, using the 'LeitPilot' system meaning it will operate with an unmanned mountain station.
The first National ski lift (Patrullarve–Blauherd) opened on 1 February 1965 and was one of the first facilities in Zermatt's Sunnegga–Blauherd area. However, as visitor numbers increased, the original lift's capacity proved increasingly inadequate and waiting times grew ever longer. A more efficient alternative was therefore sought and the Patrullarve quad chairlift was added, with a capacity of 2,400 passengers per hour, and opened on 6 December 1989. It went on to transport a total of around 24 million guests over 37 years.
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