The mountain resort of Štrbské Pleso in the High Tatras is preparing for a major new investment. The Tatry mountain resorts, a.s. (TMR) company has announced the construction of a new 8-seater chairlift running to Medvedia kopa.
Štrbské Pleso is one of Slovakia’s most popular ski destinations. The new chairlift is expected to bring an entirely new transport solution, significantly improve the transport of skiers within the resort and make it much simpler its. “The chairlift will essentially serve two areas – it will take skiers higher up than the old drag lift, allowing them to ski down from Medvedia kopa either towards the Furkota chairlift or via the Solisko and Turistická pistes. The new chairlift, along with adjacent pistes and snowmaking equipment, will open up hundreds of metres of new blue runs for beginners and less confident skiers. Unlike the drag lift, this new chairlift can be used by skiers of all ages and abilities. It’s the largest investment in technical infrastructure at the resort in the past 15 years,” said Igor Rattaj, the Chairman of the Board of TMR, a.s.
Improved connectivity between the existing pistes, without the need to build new ones, is the key benefit of the new chairlift. It will also reduce congestion in the busiest areas of the resort and help distribute skiers more evenly, ultimately increasing safety. In addition, the chairlift will ensure safe transport of visitors even in poor weather conditions at higher altitudes when the Solisko Express chairlift cannot operate.
The new chairlift, supplied by the Leitner company, will completely replace the historic Poma drag lift from 1976, which will be dismantled. The lower station and the access routes of the new chairlift will be located at the current lower station site of the drag lift.
TMR is investing EUR 11 million in the construction of the new chairlift.
Environmental considerations are central to the project of the new chairlift. Existing clearings will be used, with no need for additional deforestation. The new chairlift will reduce noise in the area, and the lower station has been designed in a minimalist style, with no additional structures, to minimise the environmental impact. The chairs will be stored within the lower station itself when not in use. Certified bird flight deflectors will also be installed as the most effective way to prevent bird strikes. Dismantling the old lift will reduce water and energy consumption, as there will be no need to maintain the old lift line or to cover it with man-made snow.
Technical specifications of the new chairlift:
Aerial passenger chairlift, detachable monocable system with covered 8-seater chairs
Lower station altitude: 1,378.15 m
Upper station altitude: 1,567.15 m
Horizontal distance: 987.50 m
Inclined length: 1,009.65 m
Altitude difference: 189 m
Number of pylons: 9
Operating speed: 5 m/s
Capacity: 2,400 passengers/hour