On August 22 in Breuil-Cervinia, at the headquarters of Cervino Spa, “Cervino the One” was presented: the new ropeway connection featuring two sequential 3S Leitner gondolas (separable if needed, such as in case of high-altitude winds), linking Breuil-Cervinia (2,031 m) – Plan Maison (2,550 m) – Plateau Rosa (3,458 m). This project continues and comple-tes, on the Italian side and in 3S mode, the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing (the connection between Switzerland and Italy, that is, between Zermatt and Breuil-Cervinia via Klein Matterhorn (3,821 m) and Testa Grigia (Swiss toponym for Plateau Rosa at 3,458 m).
An investment of around 200 million euros (around 90 million for the ropeway infrastructure) aims to tran-sform the tourist destination by redeve-loping areas and facilities—particularly Breuil and Plan Maison—that were ori-ginally built in the 1930s and have since undergone multiple additions. On the Italian side, the two new ropeways will connect Breuil to Plateau Rosa in about 20 minutes (travel times 4’28” + 9’22”), compared to the current 45 minutes.
With Cervino The One, seasonality comes to an end. After eliminating the spring closure over the past two years, the ski area will now offer year-round operation, 365 days a year. The ropeway will operate at a speed of 8.0 m/sec, covering a total length of 5,970 m (1,825 m + 4,145 m) with a total vertical rise of 1,436 m (517 m + 919 m), and a maximum capacity per direction of 3,000 pph. Cabins will be spaced at 288 m intervals with a 36-second headway. There will be 7 towers (3 + 4), and Sigma Symphony 3S by Leitner cabins for 30 passen-gers (24 seated and 6 standing; note that the same cabin type used on the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing has a capacity of 28 passengers). The system will use Leitner Direct Drive winches with a power output of up to 2 x 1,139 kW for the second section. Leitner is the ropeway contractor, while civil works are assigned to a consor-tium of local companies (Cogeis Spa, Ivies Spa, and B.G.F. Srl). Design part-ners include, in addition to Leitner: Policreo Srl, Alpteam Srl, engineering firm Ardolino, and Pastroret Engineering & Consulting Srl.
At Breuil-Cervinia, the valley station will host ticketing services, an info point, ski rental, retail areas, food and beverage services, workshops, and a warehouse. A “direct connection” between the slopes and boarding area is planned, along with a pede-strian and cycling path—with a small bridge—linking to the “Madonna delle Nevi” chapel (town center).
A subterranean funicular (referred to as a light metro) linking to a park-and-ride facility, with an intermediate stop in the town center, is still in the planning phase.
The first section replaces the existing 6-seater Leitner gondola from 1986 and will operate alongside the 80-passenger Ceretti Tanfani aerial tramway from 1963, which remains vital for supplies to Plan Maison and will take over operations during 3S maintenance periods.
The intermediate station at Plan Maison will include services such as dining, retail spaces, childcare facili-ties, and an underground automated storage facility for cabins and mainte-nance workshops.
It will connect directly to the Cime Bianche Laghi gondola, as well as to the aforementioned tramway from Breuil-Cervinia.
The second 3S section does not repla-ce any existing lift. The route will be direct and roughly follow the line esta-blished in 1939 by Lora Totino. An alternative route for this section—also valid during maintenance of the 3S—includes the 12-passenger standing Leitner gondola from 1988 (“Plan Maison – Laghi Cime Bianche”) and the 125-passenger Hölzl aerial tramway from 1991 (“Laghi Cime Bianche – Plateau Rosa”).
