Cabin lifts

Aerial tramway

An aerial tramway, often called a cable car, moves one or two large cabins back and forth between two stations. The cabins roll on fixed track ropes and are pulled by a haul rope; with two cabins, one rises as the other descends. They stop in the stations for boarding and reach about 12 m/s.

An aerial tramway up a rock wallSchematic aerial tramway from a valley village up a rock wall to a tall lattice tower on the rim and on to a summit station on a glacier, with two cabins balancing each other.
  1. Valley station
  2. Track ropes and haul rope
  3. Tower on the rim
  4. Rock wall
  5. Summit station

At a glance

Typical range
Per carrier
6–200 people
Line speed
10–12.5 m/s
People per hour
500–2,000 people/hour
Grip
FixedEnclosed · Skis on: No
Wind tolerance
No published figure
Beginner-friendly

How it works

Each cabin hangs from a carriage that rolls on one or two track ropes. The cabins are fixed to a haul rope loop, so they balance each other.

Because cabins shuttle rather than circulate, capacity depends on cabin size and line length: 500 to 2,000 people an hour. Cabins hold from six to 200 people.

Few towers and long, steep spans suit climbs up rock walls to summits and glaciers.

How to ride it

  1. Wait in the hall

  2. Board

  3. Ride standing

  4. Step out

  1. Wait in the station hall until the doors open.
  2. Board with your skis and find a place to stand.
  3. Hold the rail as the cabin passes over towers.
  4. Leave when the cabin has stopped and the doors open.

Where you’ll find it

Scandinavia

Åre’s Kabinbanan has run since 1976.

The Alps

Common for summits and glaciers. The Vanoise Express links Les Arcs and La Plagne with two double-deck cabins for 200 people each.

On PisteWindow

Lift types are recorded for 74 of 247 destinations so far.

History and notable examples

Åre’s Kabinbanan opened on 6 May 1976.

The Vanoise Express opened in 2003 with two parallel double-deck cabins.

Compare with

3S gondola

Many cabins circulate continuously.

28–38 people · 6–8.5 m/s

Funitel

Many cabins on two haul ropes.

20–33 people · 6–7 m/s

Funicular

Rails instead of ropes overhead.

100–400 people · 5–14 m/s

Compare with
AttributeAerial tramway3S gondolaFunitelFunicular
Per carrier6–200 people28–38 people20–33 people100–400 people
Line speed10–12.5 m/s6–8.5 m/s6–7 m/s5–14 m/s
People per hour500–2,000 people/hour1,500–6,000 people/hour3,000–4,000 people/hour1,000–8,000 people/hour
GripFixedDetachableDetachableNo rope grip
EnclosureEnclosedEnclosedEnclosedEnclosed
Skis onNoNoNoNo
Wind toleranceNo published figureHighHighNo published figure
Beginner-friendlyEasyEasyEasyEasy

Questions

Why is it called a cable car?

In everyday English, cable car means a big cabin on ropes. Engineers call it a reversible or jig-back aerial ropeway.

Why does the cabin swing over a tower?

The carriage rolls over the tower’s saddles and the angle of the ropes changes. A short sway is normal.

Does a tramway stop for wind?

Yes, at the operator’s discretion. We found no published figure that applies to tramways generally.

How many people fit?

From six to 200, depending on the cabin.

Names in other languages

Names in other languages
LanguageName
EnglishAerial tramway (cable car)
DeutschPendelbahn (Luftseilbahn)
SvenskaKabinbana (pendelbana)
FrançaisTéléphérique (à va-et-vient)
ItalianoFunivia (va e vieni)
NederlandsKabelbaan (pendelbaan)
EspañolTeleférico (de vaivén)
DanskSvævebane (pendulbane)
Norsk bokmålTaubane (pendelbane)

Sources

  1. LEITNER AG · Winter sports ropeway systems brochure (EN) · Checked
  2. POMA · The history of POMA · Checked
  3. remontees-mecaniques.net · TPH200 Vanoise Express (database report) · Checked
  4. SVT Nyheter Jämtland · Folkkär 43-åring: så kom Kabinbanan till / rivningsbeslutet står fast · Checked