A Remarkable New Lift Opens On Swiss Glacier
A Remarkable New Lift Opens On Swiss Glacier
Published : 07-Oct-2010 10:59
The highly successful Austrian manufacturer of conveyor type lifts, SunKid, has completed the installation of one of its 'Wonder Carpet' lifts enclosed in a gallery enclosure at the Jungfraujoch above Wengen and Grindelwald, for more than a century Europe's highest railway station.
The Jungfraujoch is subject to winds gusting at up to 220km/h, extreme temperature fluctuations … and a location on the ice of a constantly shifting glacier at almost 3500 metres above sea level.
The new lift was needed for a 'snow fun arena' that has been operating in the area in the summer for many years using a simple rope tow drag lift. It was previously possible to ski and board up there in July but this was discontinued more than a decade ago, until the new 120-metre long lift was installed.
The technicians at SunKid-Borer had to face two difficult challenges in this project. First, the Wonder Carpet had to be firmly anchored to withstand peak gusts of over 220km/h. Second, the overall structure had to possess a certain degree of flexibility, because the conveyor lift would be subject to permanent movement on the shifting glacier ice.
Because the flow rate of the ice varies significantly in different places, a conventional anchoring would risk serious deformation and damage to the conveyor due to the immense forces at play. The technicians solved this problem by mounting the conveyor belt and gallery enclosure to wooden beams and guide rails.
After installation the gallery was quickly buried by snow, creating a tunnel through the snow which also got around the problem of the wind blowing it away. Although in warmer temperatures the top of the gallery became clear of snow, the angles were such that the wind could not get a purchase on the lift and damage it.
The conveyor lift will be completely disassembled this autumn and relocated for the winter months to the "Kleinen Scheidegg" ski area farther below. Once there, it is reconstructed with a length of 86 meters.
The owner, Jungfrau Lifts, and the operator, Grindelwald Sports report that the number of visitors to the snow arena has now tripled compared to the days of the older lift.
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