New Biggest Ski Area in Central Switzerland Officially Opens
A ‘new’ ski area in Central Switzerland has become a reality after ten years of planning and an investment of nearly 130 million Swiss Francs.
The ‘new’ SkiArena Andermatt Sedrun has been made by connecting the ski areas of Andermatt and Sedrun to create an area of 120km. A further connection the separately-owned area of Disentis is due for completion next summer when a total of 160km
The historic Andermatt and Sedrun ski areas have been completely renewed with around 10 new high-speed, high-capacity chair and gondola lifts installed and new created to complete the connection between the two resorts. It is now being marketed as the “most modern” as well as the largest in Central Switzerland.
The connection links two Swiss cantons and two cultures as well as the resorts with over 120 kilometres of pistes and 22 lifts.
Three new chairlifts and snowmaking for the valley run on the Gemsstock were put into operation for winter 2016/17. Winter 2017/18 saw the commissioning of the new gondola cableway from Andermatt train station to Gütsch (Gütsch-Express) and the two chairlifts Lutersee-Flyer andSchneehüenerstock-Flyer.
The Oberalppass-Schneehüenerstock gondola (Schneehüenerstock-Express)completes the ski area connection from Andermatt to Sedrun and back. It was officially opened by local dignitaries yesterday and will open to the skiing and snowboarding public the weekend before Christmason December 22nd.
Egyptian Billionaire property developer Samih Sawiris has been a major driving force in the ski area’s re-development, which is tied to a property development in Andermatt he is also financing.
Mr Sawiris, pictured top yesterday, is now also Chairman of the Board ofAndermatt-Sedrun Sport AG lift company and commented,
“With this ski region we now have the type of first-classwinter attraction we need for successful international marketing of the destination.”
Andermatt has a reputation as one of the snowiest resorts in the Alps and this winter is the first in the world to report a 4 metre (13.3 foot) base on its upper slopes.
