In December 2024, a Swiss ski resort is set to open what will become the steepest cable car line in the world. The system will whisk people up from the Lauterbrunnen Valley right to the top of the Schilthorn in Canton Bern at a 160 percent gradient.
Called the Schilthornbahn 20XX, the new cable car will be up and running from December 14, 2024, officials from the Schilthorn - Piz Gloria resort have confirmed. The system will take thrill-seekers from the valley at Stechelberg, travelling via the car-free village of Mürren and the lower station of Birg right up to the Schilthorn - famous for its use in the James Bond classic On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Climbing at a 160 percent gradient, once it opens the new cable car will become the steepest in the world, beating out the current record set by the Loen Skylift in Norway, which ascends at a 133 percent gradient. In its first stage, the cable car covers 775 metres in altitude in just four minutes.
However, other than making your ears pop faster, the Schilthornbahn 20XX promises to be more a ride of comfort than thrill for the 85 people who can fit in the car during the first stage of the journey. Travelling at 25 kilometres an hour, the large windows will offer stunning views of the Swiss Alps, as passengers ascend to nearly 3.000 metres above sea level.
"Guests can look forward to a spectacular ride in the steepest cable car in the world," resort officials concluded.