The Dachstein Massif seems almost close enough to touch from this gondola lift built entirely from glass. A roof-top balcony with space for ten people provides a completely unique experience. Hundreds of visitors, freestylers, instructors and ski tourers enjoyed a glorious day on the Steiermark's highest peak and were delighted by the new gondola lift, which marries exceptional design with cutting-edge technology. 

The numerous attractions on the Dachstein Glacier including the Sky Walk, the Ice Palace, the Glacier Restaurant and via ferratas can all easily be reached by visitors in the new Dachstein panorama gondola lift. In the new lift, built entirely from glass, the Dachstein Massif seems almost close enough to touch. 

 

Since the Dachstein Südwandbahn cable car came into service the journey up to the glacier has been a truly memorable experience. A 1,000 metre ascent is covered in a matter of minutes. The cable car travels without supports at heights of up to 210 metres above the southern face of the Dachstein. After several weeks of modifications visitors can once again float up into the fascinating glacier landscape at an altitude of almost 3,000 metres. 

The innovative design was conceived in partnership with the Carvatech company.

The two new cabins can each accommodate around 50 people and will cover the 1,000 metre ascent between the valley and mountain station around 15% faster than the cable car in operation until now. Video screens inside the cabin inform visitors about all the attractions on the Dachstein and provide entertainment during the journey. 

 

One of the gondolas can be fitted with a balcony which accommodates around ten people. 

 

The Dachstein is open daily and will be in service continuously until the end of November. The new gondola lift will be officially inaugurated in July, when the Dachstein suspension bridge will also be complete and open to visitors.

 

Info box – the Dachstein panorama gondola lift: 

Journey time: 5.5 minutes

Design and construction: Carvatech company

Carrying capacity: 550 people per hour

Speed: 43 km/h -> 12 m per second. By way of comparison:

 

The current cable car travels at 36 km/h -> 10 m per second. 

Weight: 5.200 kg -> the new gondola weighs 2,200 kg more than the old Dachstein gondola. 

Dimensions: 6.57 m x 3.03 m, Height: 3.19 m

Internal size of the gondola: 13.31 m2