Lenzerheide Bergbahnen AG to realize snowmaking in Valbella

More than 15 years ago, the project of a snow-covered slope to the base station of the Valbella ski lift was launched. Now, together with the renewal of the ski lift, this important access to the ski area will finally be upgraded.

The Val Schamaela slope (No. 68b) plays a key role in several respects: it ensures the return of guests to Valbella and the parking areas, which until now depended on sufficient natural snow. It also reduces the risk of skiers being stranded at the Cumascheals chairlift base station in case of wind-related closures, forcing them to walk uphill to the Valbella ski lift.

The construction of pipelines and shafts for snowmaking posed several challenges. Jeannot Raschle, Head of Snowmaking and Infrastructure, explains: “The complexity was finding a line that respected the protection of the moorland and passed through properties where we could obtain the owners’ consent.” Acquiring the necessary approvals took considerable time, with some signatures even having to be obtained from abroad.

With the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, 15 September 2025, a long-awaited project becomes reality. Interim CEO Christian Wyrsch: “We are very pleased to finally improve this connection. The project required the dedication of several CEOs and infrastructure managers over many years. I thank everyone involved for their persistence and commitment.”

The renewal of the Valbella ski lift has already been completed. Curdin Meier, Head of Technology North, states: “We were able to update the control and safety systems to the latest standards and implement improvements. In the middle section, we eliminated a safety risk, especially for children, and reduced the snow requirement – meaning the lift can now open earlier.” Othmar Kurath, Head of Lifts, adds with a smile: “Thanks to snowmaking, we can also produce snow for the lift track itself. That’s why we only mount the T-bars shortly before opening – without them, the rope is easier to free from ice.”

The renovation of the base station had also been planned but was postponed due to regulatory requirements that would have caused significant additional costs.

Lenzerheide Bergbahnen AG is investing CHF 1.3 million in Valbella: CHF 0.9 million in snowmaking and CHF 0.4 million in the ski lift renewal. Interim CEO Christian Wyrsch concludes: “With increasing climatic challenges and to ensure a safer lift opening, this is a highly meaningful investment for us.”