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Schilthornbahn 20XX: Experience the World’s Steepest Cable Car in the heart of the Swiss Alps

Schilthornbahn 20XX

On December 14, 2024, the world’s steepest cable car commenced operations, marking a key milestone in the Schilthornbahn 20XX project. The new direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren villages in Switzerland’s Bernese Alps is now operational. Alan Ramsay, Head of Markets for GCC and Asia-Pacific at Schilthorn Cableway Ltd, who has been with the company for a decade, shares insights into the charming old cable car system and the vision behind this remarkable new project.

Nestled in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland, Schilthorn offers breathtaking views and exciting activities. Famous for its revolving restaurant, Piz Gloria, featured in the James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, it provides panoramic vistas of over 200 alpine peaks, including the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. The journey begins with a scenic cable car ride from Stechelberg, passing through picturesque villages like Gimmelwald and Mürren. Thrilling attractions like the “Skyline Walk” and the exhilarating Thrill Walk offer stunning vistas. At Piz Gloria, guests can enjoy a meal while taking a 360-degree view as the restaurant slowly rotates. Schilthorn is the perfect destination for adventure seekers and those looking to relax amidst the natural beauty of the Swiss Alps.

A Dream Turned Reality

Alan reflects on the origins of the Schilthorn, sharing the inspiring story of its inception. He says, “Under the leadership of Ernst Feuz from Mürren, a visionary group of pioneers faced significant financial and technical challenges. In 1967, they succeeded in making the Schilthorn Summit accessible to the public with the construction of the world’s longest aerial cableway. While most would have considered this a monumental achievement, Ernst Feuz was driven by a greater ambition. He envisioned creating a truly unique experience for visitors, allowing them to immerse themselves in the breathtaking alpine scenery. Feuz’s revolutionary idea was to build the world’s first revolving restaurant at 3,000 meters—an idea many thought was madness. But against all odds, he made his dream a reality.”

The 007 James Bond Saga

It was at Schilthorn where James Bond made his unforgettable entrance. In the late 1960s, a German location scout was tasked with finding the perfect mountain peak for the film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, based on Ian Fleming’s novel. The scout needed a dramatic alpine setting for Blofeld’s secret hideout, where he was developing a deadly virus. After searching Italy, Germany, and Austria, he arrived in Grindelwald, where a hotel concierge suggested Schilthorn. Upon visiting, the scout immediately called producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, confirming he had found the perfect location. Though the building was still under construction, EON Productions agreed to finance the remaining work in exchange for input on the design and the rights to film there. In 1968, the iconic 007 film was shot at Schilthorn, and the movie was released in 1969, cementing the mountain’s place in cinematic history.

Alan further shares, “Piz Gloria, our revolving restaurant, also opened in the same year, and Schilthorn gained global exposure thanks to the 007 film. The mountain has long been celebrated for its breathtaking views, drawing climbers for centuries to experience its unique 360-degree panorama. While it has always been a favourite among Swiss locals, its fame skyrocketed internationally after being featured in the Bond film. In winter, Schilthorn boasts the highest ski slopes in the Bernese Oberland, making it a crucial destination for skiers locally and abroad. We are able to guarantee skiing every winter, thanks to snow farming—preserving snow from the previous season to ensure excellent conditions, regardless of the weather.”

Schilthornbahn 20XX Project: Revolutionising the Cable Car Experience

The new direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren is the steepest cable car in the world, boasting a gradient of 159.4 per cent. The classic aerial cableway now transports visitors from the valley floor to the car-free village of Mürren in just four minutes, scaling the dramatic Mürrenfluh cliffs. The cableway covers a height of 775 mt over a distance of 1,194 mt. With two Carvatech cable cars from Oberwies, Austria, each carrying up to 85 passengers or 6.8 tonnes of cargo, it can transport 800 people per hour at full capacity. Alan shares, “The Schilthornbahn 20XX project is set to modernise and enhance the cable car system connecting Stechelberg to Schilthorn mountain. Led by CEO Christoph Egger, the project began in the second half of 2021 with approval from the board of directors and is expected to be completed by summer 2026. The project will enhance comfort for visitors, allowing them to reach the peak of Schilthorn from the Lauterbrunnen Valley, known as the Valley of Waterfalls, in much less time. It is truly an experience worth capturing and writing home about.”

Steepest Cableway Stechelberg - Muerren

The First Funifor cable car in Switzerland

The opening of the world’s steepest cable car coincided with another milestone: the launch of the first Funifor cable car track in Switzerland. This innovative cableway connecting Mürren and Birg marks the debut of its kind in the country. During the winter months, both the old and the new cableways will operate side by side in this section to guarantee the transport capacity during the ski operations. The opening of the second Funifor track is planned for November 2025.

OldandnewCablecarsMuerren-Birg

“The Funifor cable car features supporting cables that are as wide as, or even wider than, the cable car itself. This design offers significantly enhanced stability during the strong winds often encountered in mountainous regions. As a result, it significantly increases the likelihood of safely transporting customers from the valley floor to the mountain peak—and, most importantly, back down again,” informs Alan.

Schilthorn: A Year-Round Destination

Switzerland has long been a favourite destination for Indian tourists, and Schilthorn has enjoyed a long-standing presence in the Indian market. Alan believes that their new cableway—the world’s steepest cable car—has a unique offering that will attract even more visitors from India and around the world. Alan highlights, “Tourists will be amazed by the 360-degree panoramic restaurant, with views stretching to Mont Blanc in France and the Black Forest in Germany. For an adrenaline rush, they can experience the Skyline Walk and Thrill Walk on Birg, offering breathtaking views from the cliffs. Visitors can also explore the car-free village of Mürren, with its 400 inhabitants, two churches, and three stations, all offering stunning views. For those feeling adventurous, a 45-minute walk downhill to Gimmelwald provides spectacular views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, with a final cable car ride down to Stechelberg.”

Schilthorn is open year-round, making it a captivating destination in every season. Visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in winter while hiking and paragliding are classic summer activities here. In Mürren, visitors can also enjoy tennis on some of the most spectacular courts in the world. According to Alan, with the faster cable car system, visitors can save time and explore more, including the Lauterbrunnen Valley, famous for its 72 waterfalls, rather than just stopping to see Staubbach Falls and heading back to Interlaken.

As the conversation turns toward future plans for Schilthorn, particularly in attracting tourists from emerging markets like India, Alan, channelling the wit of a true James Bond enthusiast, delivers a playful twist. “We have plenty of plans for enhancing our appeal to locals and international tourists,” he teases, “but if I told you about them, I would have to kill you! Hahahaha!”

While he keeps the specifics under wraps, his humor and enthusiasm hint at exciting developments on the horizon.