From Tuesday, May 6 to Friday, May 9, Interalpin at the Innsbruck Exhibition Center became the international hub for alpine technology and ropeway systems, bringing together all key stakeholders, decision-makers from every continent, and high-level international business delegations. The world’s leading trade fair in the sector, celebrating its 50th anniversary, benefited from positive momentum and strong investor interest. 650 exhibitors from around 50 countries and around 36,800 trade visitors from all over the world clearly confirmed Interalpin’s leadership position as a global trade fair for alpine technologies.
More than 60% of registered visitors came from abroad, and the access control system of Messe Innsbruck recorded entries from around 130 countries, including representatives from established markets such as the USA, France, Italy, Japan, and Canada, as well as emerging and new regions like South Korea, Kazakhstan, Romania, Argentina, Uzbekistan, and Chile. Industry professionals from all segments attended Interalpin 2025 and were highly satisfied with the offerings: over 90% of respondents gave top marks, as confirmed by an independent visitor survey. About 70 percent stated that they do not attend other fairs besides Interalpin. The next edition of Interalpin will take place from April 20 to 23, 2027.
Ropeways and Lift Systems
The Doppelmayr Group showcased numerous developments for visitors across a broad range of products and services. These included AURO, ESFOR, Connect, and the latest digital services related to customer support and clair; as well as customized cabin interiors from high-profile projects.
For cabins, visitors had the opportunity to sit inside the STELLA cabin from Hoch-Ybrig (CH) or see firsthand the features of the OMEGA V-10 XL urban cabin, which will soon be part of the Paris area’s public transport network. The 3S ATRIA cabin from Canazei attracted widespread attention, and a touch of world-record experience was offered by the cabin of the Schilthorn – bahn AG (CH) aerial tramway. ASC (Adaptive Speed Control) is the new system that adapts the speed of gondolas and chairlifts to actual demand. In day-to-day operation, reducing the ropeway’s operating speed represents great potential for energy savings. For example, if a lift operates at half speed, its energy consumption is almost halved as well. Additionally, mechanical stress on the installation is reduced.
By using camera images and artificial intelligence, the ropeway speed is automatically adjusted based on visitor volume. Cameras monitor the boarding area and provide the necessary images for an AI-supported evaluation, which is transmitted to the Connect control system in compliance with GDPR regulations. The system relies on parameters previously defined by the customer, such as the number of passengers for maximum and minimum speeds, and adjusts them automatically. In this way, the ropeway is operated on demand, saving energy. ESFOR (Energy Storage System For Ropeways) facilitates the use of selfgenerated electricity, thus reducing dependence on the power grid. The recovery, intermediate storage, and subsequent reuse of braking energy can increase the efficiency of the entire system. ESFOR also optimizes the power requirements of the installation and allows an emergency operating concept without a diesel generator.
Connect Cabin: functions such as communication, lighting, ventilation, and infotainment offer a wide range of customization options aimed at creating maximum comfort, efficiency, and safety for operators. AURO (Autonomous Ropeway Operation) is continuously developed based on the experience gained from numerous projects. Doppelmayr Digital Training provides ropeway knowledge that is always available, simple, efficient, and up-todate. clair Resort Management, the digital assistant that simplifies operations and maintenance at a resort. Connect, Doppelmayr Group’s reliable control and command system. Bicycle transport: with Bike Cab, Doppelmayr brought to the Interalpin stand for the first time the most elegant way to transport bicycles on a gondola lift. A Bike Cab can carry up to eight bicycles, and visitors could test its functionality in person. The Bike Clip for chairlifts also invited visitors to try it out. Bicycles can be attached and detached in just a few simple steps.
Leitner, at its large Interalpin booth, presented its wide range of ropeway solutions with a particular focus on the development of its latest technologies. Ropera®, a series of projects presented at Interalpin 2025, with which Leitner—or more precisely HTI— redefines the standard of the group’s unidirectional monocable installations.
Due to the importance and complexity of this initiative, a separate presentation article has been developed and is included in this issue of the magazine. LeitPilot, the solution for the automated operation of stations, is already successfully in use on the first gondola lifts (Kitzbühel, Gitschberg Jochtal, and Hauser Kaibling), while development is progressing for chairlifts.
To achieve the final solution, Leitner relies on a five-phase plan inspired by the development levels of autonomous vehicles. These range from operation in parallel with staff supervision, to partial, advanced, and full automation, all the way to autonomous operation. In phase 3, the system supports operators at both the top and bottom stations. From level 4 onward, the top station can be operated fully autonomously, without constant staff presence, although staff must be able to reach it within a predefined time in case of malfunctions. Moreover, from this level onward, the system can manage any operating situation without limitations.
ConnX, the dual-mobility solution for cities, is announced as ready for market launch.
Bartholet exhibited at its booth a 10- person cabin, again designed by Studio F. A. Porsche, which surpasses the previous ovoid shape. Poma showcased a cabin of remarkable size and with an urban layout, with seating along the three interior sides not occupied by the door, leaving the center free for possible standing passengers.
MND Ropeways presented for the first time at Interalpin its new series of detachable ropeway systems, gondola lifts, and chairlifts. The international ropeway community is waiting to see the first unit realized from this initiative.
Steurer Seilbahnen, at Interalpin, had a booth highlighting the many interesting installations already completed, dominated by a support saddle for the haul rope of a reversible aerial tramway with a cabin for 80 passengers (Titlis Connect), equipped with a double safety roller to prevent derailments.
Graffer srl, at its booth, emphasized in particular the 20-year overhaul of the Chiaia funicular in Naples, which is covered in a dedicated article in this magazine issue.
Calag Carrosserie Langenthal, the heir and continuation of Gangolff, besides recalling its many prestigious achievements, emphasized that it remains the only coachbuilder independent from the various ropeway manufacturers.
Teufelberger-Redaelli presented a new HD version of the Solitec® rope, further improving its durability, quietness, and stability characteristics.
Thanks to its innovative construction, noise generated by the rope itself has been significantly reduced, thus increasing travel comfort and making it particularly suitable for urban applications. At the same time, the service life of the rope has been significantly extended compared to standard ropes. The rope also offers greater strength in the splicing areas and high resistance to transverse pressure, allowing for even more uniform distribution of loads and vibrations. Noise is reduced to a minimum, in addition to superior durability and optimized acoustics. The new rope also features lower weight thanks to a special plastic, a patented strand construction, and a high-strength steel alloy.
This results not only in lower energy consumption during operation butalso reduced wear on installation components (such as sheaves and gearboxes), consequently extending maintenance intervals and increasing the system’s availability.
Teufelberger-Redaelli also introduced a further evolved monitoring tool, which greatly simplifies the installation, removal, and handling of the rope. Furthermore, the new Full Service approach enables an even closer dialogue between the manufacturer and the operator, from rope and installation design, to commissioning, and through to ongoing condition monitoring and maintenance. In this way, the system is managed by a single point of contact, allowing operators to focus more on their core activities.
Snow Groomers and Tracked Vehicles
PistenBully presented itself with a new booth more oriented towards visitors from around the world, a real meeting and exchange space, with a large service counter, dedicated consulting areas, and PistenBully vehicles easily accessible.
Among the innovations, the KFX system for quick coupling of accessories reduces the risk of damage and saves time every day. Great interest was also shown in the new “comfort zone” in the cabin, designed to improve operators’ daily work. More comfortable seats, more intuitive controls, and useful supports make every hour on board easier, safer, and decidedly less tiring.
Their flagship models were also on display. There was significant interest as well in sustainable after-sales solutions: from remanufactured components (Reman) to various levels of reconditioning for used vehicles. More than half of second-hand vehicles sold today start a new life, and often even a third one.
Prinoth in addition to its fleet of snow groomers, also presented its digital solutions. These are designed to support and strengthen its operations. The Prinoth Connect tools improve team communication and save resources over the long term.
In addition to the already well-known snow measurement and fleet management systems, Prinoth presented two new applications at Interalpin 2025.
Object Editor provides operators with a clear overview of various objects, such as ropeway towers, slopes, or snow guns. Fixed and mobile objects can be easily drawn and color-coded. Operators see the created objects on their mobile device or tablet directly inside the machine, improving orientation, especially in cases of fog or heavy snowfall. Smart Zone goes even further: as soon as the operator enters a sensitive zone at high speed, they receive a warning signal and the vehicle automatically reduces its speed. In this way, drivers can focus 100% on slope preparation while minimizing damage to vehicles and infrastructure.
Prinoth Snowpark Services has expanded its portfolio. For years, this service has stood out for its experience in the digitalization and optimization of snowparks. Now, Prinoth Snowpark Services also offers the digitalization and modeling of slopes and courses, thus providing added value to all winter sports areas. Another highlight this year was the presentation of assistance systems. Prinoth introduced a new concept for a mirror camera system, similar to what is already known in the trucking sector. It replaces traditional rear-view mirrors with cameras, giving operators a consistently clear and optimal view in all weather conditions.
An object detection system further minimizes risks. The fact that Prinoth is committed long-term to driver assistance systems is underscored by its collaboration on the THEIAXR project. This three-year EU-funded project aims to improve human-machine interaction in areas such as slope preparation, logistics, and earthmoving through extended reality technologies, thereby supporting drivers in their work. Elements such as advanced visualization or haptic feedback add digital information to the physical world and enrich the human experience.
Husky E-Motion is already in its third season of operation, preparing trails with zero emissions. Even with a conventional Prinoth snow groomer, the CO2 footprint of a ski resort can be significantly reduced.
All Stage V engines can easily be refueled with HVO100 without modifications. In this way, ski resorts can save up to 90% of CO2 and reduce their ecological footprint.
xelom, the fully electric snow groomer, was exhibited for the first time at Interalpin, along with a new fastcharging system that takes the machine’s efficiency and flexibility to a higher level.
xelom’s strengths lie primarily in cross-country trail preparation and transport. Thanks to its modular structure, xelom is available in three widths. The new fast-charging system offers a charging capacity of 300 kW; the battery and electric drive system are specially designed for alpine conditions. Depending on the terrain and the intensity of use of the tiller, up to five hours of continuous operation are possible for preparing slopes or cross-country trails. In testing, xelom has already achieved operating times of up to seven hours while pushing snow.
The 300 kWh battery, depending on its configuration, can be charged from 0 to 80% in about 45–60 minutes, then be used again for another five hours. Favero was present at Interalpin with the Snow Rabbit 3 and 3X at the stand of its Austrian importer.
Developed to operate in confined spaces, the SNOW RABBIT 3 is one of the most compact machines in its category. Winter hiking trails and hardto- reach roads are its daily working environment, making it the perfect groomer for mountain huts and small ski areas, for preparing minor crosscountry trails as well as snowmobile and toboggan runs.
Thanks to its high climbing capability even on deep snow and its large rear platform, it can easily handle the roughest terrain and the bulkiest loads, confirming itself as a reliable and accessible alpine work and rescue vehicle.
More power, fewer emissions Power is guaranteed by the engines used: an 84 kW (115 hp) engine for the Snow Rabbit 3 and a 100 kW (134 hp) engine for the Snow Rabbit 3X, both compliant with the new exhaust gas regulations. The new driver’s cab, more spacious than the previous version, is safe, robust, and functional: the large panoramic windshield, rear and side windows, and standard LED lighting ensure maximum visibility during operations, even at night.
The new rear passenger cabin is R.O.P.S. certified and can accommodate up to six people in complete safety. Access to the cabin is conveniently located on the operator side, while the large windows ensure good visibility during travel.
Rubber tracks are now available for extended operations even during periods without snow on the ground.
Snowmaking
TechnoAlpin, at Interalpin 2025, once again confirmed its position as a technological leader in the field of snowmaking.
There was great interest in its digital solutions. The new energy indicators for sustainable snowmaking and the new functions of ATASSpro Mobile attracted strong interest.
Another highlight was the new SNOWMASTER chatbot, designed to provide immediate answers to any question about each installation.
Expertise and maintenance for a flawless season start: TechnoAlpin Academy’s interactive Learning Management System and the fourstage B.E.A.T. maintenance plan impressed visitors with their practical and resource-saving approach, aimed at ensuring an optimal season opening.
Particular enthusiasm was generated by the presentations of two specific technologies: the new TL8 Double twin-head lance, the latest addition to the TL series, and the new Hydromat W4 universal valve, usable with both lances and fan guns.
In the outdoor area, visitors were able to admire the new SnowFactory Tundra, which combines compactness with high performance. Measuring 6 x 2.5 meters, it is half the size of previous models while offering a daily snowmaking capacity of an impressive 70 mÑ, a remarkable achievement.
Demaclenko at its booth, showcased the most recent and innovative elements of its production. Evo 4.0 is the latest fan snow gun from Demaclenko, the result of redesigning and improving the previous Evo 3.0, offering top performance, minimal maintenance requirements, and a compact design. It is also impressive for its low noise level and energy efficiency.
E-Tower, the retractable tower, can be lowered to ensure operational safety and ease of use. Even when lowered, the generator remains operational, allowing for snow production or test runs in any position. Once retracted, it becomes compact and almost completely disappears inside its shaft, thus freeing up the surface area.
The Snowvisual software has for years offered a tool for the control and management of snowmaking systems. For its operation, a stable and fast data transmission between the server and field components is essential. In this context, Demaclenko presented Demaclenko Connect: as an alternative to radio or cable connections, Demaclenko Connect uses the existing mobile network to communicate between components and the control server, guaranteeing a reliable connection even in large and hard-toreach areas.
Oloid is the solution, in collaboration with Oloid Solutions GmbH, for the circulation and aeration of snowmaking water reservoirs. Oloid is a floating device that moves across the water surface, simultaneously solving several problems: it keeps the surface free of ice, prevents algae formation, and reduces energy and maintenance costs.
Ghost, the invisible snow gun, is not new but was recalled for its innovative features: the snow gun is mounted on a hydraulic lifting device and can be completely lowered into a shaft via a hatch. In this way, the generator can be “parked” in the shaft when not in use or during the summer. In 2024, a Ghost was installed in the Blauherd area of Zermatt.
All-weather snowmaking is growing at Demaclenko thanks to strategic partnerships. Snowpro, in partnership with KTI-Plersch Kältetechnik GmbH, recognized as a world leader in the sector and inventor of the first containerized turnkey refrigeration plant. Snow4ever, a solution jointly developed by Demaclenko and 3Con, a world leader in high-tech plant manufacturing for the automotive, pharmaceutical, and medical sectors, drew great attention during the IBU World Cup stage in Hochfilzen in 2024.
MND SNOW, the snowmaking division of the MND group, presented a new range of Taurus lances and introduced a newly redesigned fan snow gun to offer optimal performance at marginal temperatures.
Taurus has been redesigned to build on the historical strengths of the lance series while incorporating the most recent operator expectations: modularity, retrofit capability, improved performance at marginal temperatures, and adaptation to new production constraints.
Three variants are available: Taurus Line, with a single row of nozzles, designed for narrow slopes where precision is essential; Taurus Pro, with a double row of nozzles; Taurus Advanced, the most efficient version at marginal temperatures, with three rows of nozzles and an extended coverage angle of 160°, allowing a snow production gain of up to 40% at the same start temperature compared to the Pro.
IZO° is the next-generation fan snow gun, particularly efficient at marginal temperatures (20 to 30% more production compared to a standard fan snow gun), aimed at sites at lower altitudes or with limited water pressure. It combines a completely redesigned aesthetic, conceived for better integration into the natural environment, with significant technological advances while maintaining the fundamental principles that have driven the success of MND SNOW fan guns.
Other
Sunkid presented itself at Interalpin 2025 as the first point of contact for year-round family leisure concepts. Sunkid focuses on concepts and products that help customers achieve their sustainability goals, for example by making year-round use of existing infrastructures in tourist areas. The best example is Sunkid’s Moving Carpet, which now boasts more than 4,000 installations worldwide. Sunkid also presented its program of small ski lifts, as well as solutions to compensate for lack of snow, to extend the season, or to enable urban skiing – with Dry Slopes and Summer/Winter Tubing.
Among other highlights, it showcased Mountain Coaster 2.0 and the individually designed play and adventure worlds from the Wood’n’Fun range. At the main Sunkid booth, in addition to the products already mentioned, a tower with a wooden marble run and various play elements invited younger visitors to solve puzzles and let loose. At the outdoor stand, visitors could discover other individually designed Wood’n’Fun installations and be inspired by large-scale projects realized in the past two years.
