Despite the current coronavirus crisis, we are looking to the future with optimism. In December 2019, the new Schrattenwang 6-seater chairlift officially opened. The next major step followed in April 2020. To make the best use of the time during the coronavirus pandemic, the local cable cars have brought forward the construction of the new Söllereckbahn cable car by two months. With this early start to construction, work is expected to be completed in time for the upcoming Christmas holidays.
"We believe in tourism and the post-coronavirus era, which is why we are prepared to invest in the future, even in the current situation. We are taking advantage of the time during the official shutdown to prioritize improving infrastructure—because now we have the opportunity to build without restrictions for guests and locals," says Henrik Volpert, CEO of OBERSTDORF · KLEINWALSERTAL BERGBAHNEN.
"We are very pleased that the mountain railways are relying on us as a local construction company and are thinking about regional economics. This encourages us and makes us optimistic for the future," says Gerd-Heinz Buchelt of Allgäuer Landschaftspflege.
"Tourism is an important and supporting economic pillar for Bavaria – and this obviously includes the mountain railways. Only if they invest in modernization and an attractive offering will guests continue to stay after the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, the Free State of Bavaria is supporting the mountain railways' project, as it will have a lasting impact on the economy," says Alexander Hold, Vice President of the Bavarian State Parliament, in support of the construction work at Söllereck.
"I believe in the attractiveness of the Söllereck and am convinced that it is necessary to make the best use of the time now. This drive of the mountain railways shows the great will to make the best of the situation and at the same time strengthen the entire region sustainably," said Uwe Behr, who, as a major private shareholder of Oberstdorf Bergbahn-AG
"The Söllereck offers a wealth of variety for families. This great potential will now be further optimized by the cable cars. We are curious to see how the restrictions for our region develop – but with the investments made by the cable cars, we can already look forward to the possibilities in the mountains after COVID-19," said former Supervisory Board Chairman Laurent O. Mies.
| Height of valley station | 990.7 m |
| Height of middle station | 1,007.5 m |
| Height of mountain station | 1,357.5 m |
| Maximum passenger capacity | 2,400 people/h |
| Travel speed | 6 m/s |
| Travel time from valley to middle station | 0.38’’ |
| Travel time from valley to mountain station | 7.47’’ |
| Steel cable diameter | 52 mm |
| Steel cable length from valley to mountain | 2,286 m |
| Total steel cable length | 4.5 km |
| Number of cabins | 71 |
| Weight of one cabin | 1.2 tons |
