Sustainable, regional, environmentally conscious – under the advice of experts and ecological construction supervisors, the OBERSTDORF · KLEINWALSERTAL BERGBAHNEN cable cars are renewing cable cars, expanding reservoirs for snowmaking, and modernizing mountain restaurants. As one of the most important infrastructures in the two-country tourism region, they strive for near-natural implementations: showcase projects such as the renovations on and around the Ifen or on the Fellhorn demonstrate that they transport guests to high altitudes while simultaneously paying the necessary tribute to nature. The motto is: as gentle as possible, in keeping with the landscape, and with professional support from specialists.

Planning with brains

The construction phase in the Alps is short and has a limited time frame: from the snowmelt in spring until the first snowfall in autumn. A fixed construction plan is essential to minimize disturbance to wildlife during construction work. For example, construction work on the Ifen mountain was only allowed to begin after the black grouse's mating season. This measure gives wildlife the rest it needs. In addition to the construction plan, it is clearly defined where construction materials will be stored, where construction machinery will be set up, and which access points may be used during construction. To protect nature, the cable cars spare no expense: Significantly more expensive than a standard construction road, but far gentler on the ground, the cable cars are erecting temporary material cable cars or using helicopters. In doing so, the OBERSTDORF · KLEINWALSERTAL BERGBAHNEN pays close attention to the needs of wildlife in close cooperation with the ecological construction supervision team.

The right technology makes all the difference

The same care applies to the flora. For example, special machines and techniques are used during construction to minimize damage to the surface structure. The walking excavator, for example, is designed to work on slopes up to 60 degrees steep and in inaccessible areas without damaging the soil. The bored pile foundation, on the other hand, eliminates the need for large-volume concrete foundations. The reinforced concrete pipes, which are up to 17 meters long and anchored in the ground, reduce the amount of excavation work on the slope and the amount of earth and rock excavation required. These techniques thus reduce the impact on nature.

Back to the Origin

Sod and soil material excavated and separated during construction is reused after proper storage on a natural geotextile or fleece. The advantage: rapid revegetation of the construction site. In addition, the OBERSTDORF · KLEINWALSERTAL BERGBANEN uses special seed and seed mixtures for the revegetation process. These mixtures are tailored to the respective elevation at which the construction took place. The renaturalized areas are not used as pastures for the first few years to allow a continuous vegetation cover to develop. Because in the two-country region, flora and fauna come first.