Where to Ski And Snowboard - Zermatt to open Switzerland’s first automated gondola

Zermatt to open Switzerland’s first automated gondola

18th September 2020, by Abi Butcher

The Kumme gondola is scheduled to open in December 2020 © Zermatt Bergbahnen AG

As ski resorts around the world announce details of Covid-secure operations for this coming winter, Switzerland’s first fully automated gondola will open in Zermatt this December.

Despite the difficult construction situation earlier this year, work has continued on the Kumme gondola lift and Matterhorn glacier ride II construction projects, and the fully automated Kumme is now scheduled to open in December 2020.

The 10-seater lift replaces the Kumme chairlift, transporting skiers and snowboarders from Tufternkehr via an intermediate station in the Wyss Gufer to the Unterrothorn. There are 56 cabins in total, carrying 1500 skiers and snowboarders an hour, along a 3.2km route.

The Kumme will be the first gondola in Switzerland that can be operated without staff — perfect for a ski season where person-to-person contact needs to be limited because of coronavirus.

The whole project, including the Matterhorn glacier ride II 3S cableway project between Testa Grigia and the Klein Matterhorn has required investment of around CHF 60 million.

To read Where to Ski & Snowboard‘s independent review of Zermatt, click here.