New Gondola in Cortina to link Tofane to Cinque Torri in time for World Championships

New Gondola in Cortina to link Tofane to Cinque Torri in time for the 2021 World Championships

Cortina d’Ampezzo is turning its thoughts towards the 2020-21 season and the World Ski Championships that are due to take place in the town in February 2021.

Many of the preparations for the Championships were underway prior to the early curtailment of the last ski season, which also saw the cancellation of the Alpine Ski World Cup Finals in the resort.

But one major infrastructure project is yet to commence. The construction of a new gondola which will link, for the first time, the ski areas of Tofane and Cinque Torri, is scheduled to start in June.

The 4.5 km long journey, in 10-person cabins, aims to link the Tofane slopes close to the town, from Son dei Prade, with the runs of Cinque Torri at Bai de Dones, which in turn can provide access to the Sella Ronda ski domain. The lift should significantly reduce the road traffic between the two areas, which in turn will hopefully benefit the environment.

Skiers will see the benefit directly with the gondola journey replacing a bus ride, making for a smoother and more enjoyable transfer between the slopes, through the beautiful tree clad hillsides and towering peaks of the Dolomites.

Leitner Ropeways, who are building the lift, are targeting completing the project by the end of 2020 or in early January 2021, so that the gondola can play its part in Cortina 2021, the Alpine Ski World Championships, the following month.

The gondola will be another significant legacy of the resort’s efforts to improve the ski domain as part of a dynamic focus on hosting sporting events, which are set to culminate in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, which it will jointly host with Milan.

https://www.dolomiti.org/en/cortina/

 For information on the World Alpine Ski Championships: www.cortina2021.com

Gondola “Son Dei Prade – Bai De Dones” – Main technical data:

Base station: Son dei Prade – 1650 m (at Pocol, part of the Tofana area)

Mid station: Cianzopé – 1732 m

Top station: Bai de Dones – 1890 m (base of the 5 Torri ski area)

Length: 4.5 km (2 km first stretch; 2.5 km second stretch)

Speed: 6 m/s

Number of cabins: 54

Seats per cabin: 10

Hourly capacity: 1100 pax (increasable to 1800)

Opening date: January 2021

Photo credits: Leitner Ropeways