Current projects
Tyrolean Government passed a new Environmental Planning Program on Glaciers
Far reaching results for the Pitztal Glacier St. Leonhard - 02.05.2006
With the government decision on 2, Mai 2006, the Tyrolean Government set a new environmental planning program into action. With this, an expansion of the former wildlife protection area is enclosed, and a specification of area can be used which can be used for glacial skiing- including the Pitztal Valley. This way, an important legal requirement for a ski-technical association will be created between the Pitztal and Ötztal Glacial ski areas.
From the Environmental Planning Concept of the 80’s, the beginning of opening up the Pitztal Glacier and the opening areas promised by the Tyrolean Government, an additional 640 hectares will be provided with protective area status from the regional areas of St. Leonhard. This represents a approx. 10 % expansion of the existing areas for skiing in the Pitztal and Ötztal. The land affected by the new laws include areas surrounding the Left Fernerkogel (3,277 m), which is supposed to be developed with a new gondola lift, allowing for downhill variants on the South and North sides. An UVP test is impending however, before this usage and the integrated connection to the Rettenbachferner are finalized.
Comfort improvements at the Pitztal Glacier
Two new lifts for this season 06/07!St. Leonhard Pitztal - 28.02.2006
The planning for effective comfort improvements at the Pitztal Glacier can be completed. The results: In the Federal Ministry of Traffic, Technology and Innovation, in Vienna, the company was given a document in February 2006 which approved the construction of two lift systems. The 2.2 km long tow lift Mittelbergjoch I would be replaced with an 8 seater Gondola lift on Mittelbergjoch. The tow lift is no up to standards and has been dismantled. The shorter tow lift Mittelbergjoch II will remain in service as a lift option at the Pitztal Glacier.
Technical data
The base station of the 8 seater EUB Mittelbergjoch has an elevation of 2,689 m; the mid-station with boarding options is at ca 3.000 m and the top station is situated at 3,275 m. Therefore, with the eventual 580 m elevation difference in the existing trail options and a travel speed of 6 m/sec, then the time measured transportation comfort in the 68 gondolas is achieved. The lift should have a starting delivery capacity of approx. 2,000 pers. per hr. From a technical perspective, and with intensive planning for the new Mittelbergjochbahn - a lift route could be found, which includes 12 supports, however with none of the supports being set in the moving ice flow.
Two lifts and one base station
The new base station is both a starting point for the new attachable 6 seater chairlift Gletschersee (6 seater SBK). This has a length of 850 m leading to the terrace restaurant Kristall at 2,840 m elevation. The transport capacity of the 6 seater SBK – according to the technical description – has a transport capacity of 2,700 pers. per hr. The 39 seats will have comfortable heating available. The new Gletscherseebahn fulfills a double function: On the one side, less experienced skiers could use the blue trails which accompany the lift, make numerous repeat trips and with the self timing racing track, “Speed Tester.” On the other side, the unpleasant waiting lines will be kept to a decisive minimum, with the return transport of guests from the Mittelbergjoch Area to the mountain restaurant.
Approvals are being reviewed
If the Federal Ministry should pass the required building permit by spring 2006, then an immediate commencement of building will be expected. Bundesministerium die erforderliche Baugenehmigung im Frühjahr 2006 erteilen, so ist ein unmittelbarer Baubeginn vorgesehen, um den Publikumsverkehr mit den beiden neuen Bahnen dann im Spätherbst aufnehmen zu können. The construction time for both lifts at this elevation is extremely dependent upon weather conditions, and therefore cannot be as precisely planned in advance as building developments made on lower and level terrain. The pre-fabricated steel building sections weigh a total of ca 900 tons, and need to be delivered up the mountain just in time. There is also a possible construction start in the spring of 2006, depending of course, upon the current total snow situation. The Pitztaler Gletscherbahn team is currently working on a related logistics plan.
New trail to the Braunschweiger Hütte (2,758 m)
Mountain guides for the Club Alpin and the TVB Pitztal have reactivated the original trail to the Braunschweiger Hütte in the past few weeks. This old trail already served as access for opening the cabin for over 100 years and is truly a real panorama trail. Beginning at approx. 1,650 m, near the material lift for the cabin, the new train E5 has been newly marked! At approx. 2,380 m elevation, it merges again with the earlier trail up to the 2,758m high Braunschweiger Hütte.(also view the accompanied map section with this !Future projects
St. Leonhard Pitztal - 10.05.2006Measurements – Projects - in 3 stages
- Stage 1: Special safety testing for the PITZ EXPRESS
- Stage 2: building of a DOWNHILL TRANSPORT from the Pitztal Glacier over the Mittelbergferner to the base station of the Glacier Mountain Tunnel
- Stage 3: building of an above ground transport systems in the form of the FERNERKOGELBAHN
Safety trail Mittelberg approved by officials
The way down from the Pitztal Glacier as a component of the safety concept
The Pitztaler Gletscherbahn Lift has applied for an environmental compatibility test of a safety trail from the existing glacial ski area of the Griestal Valley to the Mittelberg Base Station with the Environmental Protection Service from the Tyrolean Government Agency. The project worked out by the I.N.N. (Engineering Association for Wildlife Area Management/Innbsruck) for the planned safety trail will allow for a harmless visitor return to the Glacier in the Pitztal Valley, aside from any possible function disturbances with the Underground Mountain Train, the Pitz Express. Particularly on beautiful weather days with peak frequencies, the management had been increasingly confronted with this factor, and therefore the project has just now been approved.
The planned return of visitors to the safety trail was approved as non-threatening, even in extreme cases. This is in accordance with the Tyrolean Wildlife Protection Law.
The trail project maintains the highest level of respect for the natural surrounding conditions, posed the least possible infringement and is accompanied by a detailed protection concept of the Avalanche Commission. Temporary avalanche protection measures are additionally ensured as a focus in using the trail, and guarantees the highest possible utilization time if needed.
Solely during the 4 month estimated construction phase, a temporary restriction for hikers is to be expected. For the now chosen route for the safety trail, there are naturally some accompanying recultivation measures. The currently selected trail route also offers a considerable advantage regarding the scenery view, as it is not visible in its entire length from any single point in the valley.
Extensive and constructively developing conferences have been going on with the DAV Section Braunschweig.
Responsible for the contents
Mag. Willi Krüger
c/o Pitztaler Gletscherbahn
6481 St. Leonhard i.P.
Austria
T: +43(0)664/4300620
