Lech ski resort has announced two state-of-the-art new Doppelmayr lifts will go into service there this winter as part of the Arlberg network which connects the skiing of St Anton, Lech, Zurs and a number of other villages in the region.
There's a major upgrade to the old Madlochbahn lift, now a high-speed 6-seater detachable chairlift with pull-down weather-protection bubble covers and heated seats. The also has a new valley station which is located on the other side of the Lake Zürsersee from the current base. With a capacity of more than 2,100 skiers per hour, it replaces a much slower, lower capacity fixed-grip double chairlift installed in the 1960s.
In addition the Zugerbergbahn lift has been upgraded, but in its case to a gondola with 10-seat cabins boasting panoramic windows and a new top station which will be built in to the mountainside, underground.
With a capacity of 2,400 skiers per hour it also replaces a much slower, lower capacity fixed-grip double chairlift installed more than 40 years ago.
Both lifts will be much faster than their predecessors, each cutting uplift time to five minutes a piece.
Both serve on the resorts famous 'White Ring' circuit, meaning it will be quicker and more comfortable to complete the circuit than ever before.