Zermatt says it is on course to open the world's highest 3S cablec car lift next winter.
Work on the new high-performance 3S lift began last May and is due to re-commence this spring and summer, then be completed in spring/summer 2018 before opening late in the year and begin year-round operation serving Europe's highest ski slopes, and one of only two glacier ski areas in the world that endeavours to open year round.
The new lift will ascend from Trockener Steg (2,939m) to the Matterhorn glacier paradise (3,883m), currently only accessed by a traditional cable car.
The new 3S lift will have 25 cabins, each able to carry up to 28 people, are will run parallel to the existing cable car, doubling capacity on the usually crowded route from 2000 to 4000 people per hour.
The Leitner-built lift will have cabins designed by Pininfarina, famous for its work on marques such as Ferrari and Maserati, and featuring huge panoramic windows.
Construction of the new lift is limited to a 100 day window each year between May and September because of the extreme high altitude environment.
The lift will have a 7930m (nearly five mile) long hauling cable and ascend 900 vertical metres with a 9 minute journey time.