| 3 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Doppelmayr NZ T T Richard Loader Chairlift upgrade at Remarkables Doppelmayr New Zealand has just completed the replacement and upgrade of the ski operator’s Shadow Basin Chairlift at the Remarkables’ ski field in Queenstown. Doppelmayr Group is the world leader in cable-propelled transport systems and, partnering with NZSki, Doppelmayr New Zealand has just completed the replacement and upgrade of the ski operator’s Shadow Basin Chairlift at the Remarkables’ ski field in Queenstown. The brand new six-seater D-Line chairlift system replaces the old fixed-grip four seater chairlift providing a faster and more comfortable riding experience for the skiers access the slopes. “The original chairlift had been in operation since the ski area first opened,” says Doppelmayr New Zealand CEO Garreth Hayman. “The new chairlift is all about giving the customers riding the lift the best experience we could create. Travel time on the new chairlift will reduce by more than half, from over eight minutes to less than four minutes. With detachable chairs and padded seats, it will also be easier and much more comfortable to ride. Six people will be able to sit on each chair, compared to the existing fixed-grip four-seater, increasing lift capacity from 1,500 riders to 2,400 riders per hour.” Gareth says the opportunity was taken to adjust the alignment to improve access to some skiable terrain that was previously only accessible by hikers. “The new higher chairlift alignment increases lift-accessible terrain in Shadow Basin by forty-seven hectares, which is nearly fifty percent more than the existing chairlift.” After decommissioning the old chairlift, and removing the old station towers and foundations, construction commenced on the new foundations, before moving onto the mechanical installation, and delivering a complete turnkey solution. “Eleven towers were installed by Black Hawke helicopter along the 928 metres of cable. There are forty-seven six-seater chairs, constantly rotating up and down the slope. A key features of the D-Line chairlift is that the chair slows down as it enters the station to make it easier for customers to get on and off, then accelerates out of the station.” Costing $23 million, including some ancillary work, the project commenced in October last year and was completed early June 2024, with its official opening scheduled for Matariki weekend. “We had a very short construction window from the time the ski area closed and reopened for the next winter. There was no opportunity for delays, the project had to be ready for the next winter season, which it was.” Representing the Doppelmayr Group based in Austria, Doppelmayr New Zealand was established in 1975 primarily to support the winter sports and tourism industries. While Doppelmayr New Zealand is based in Christchurch, it has people nationwide from Auckland to Queenstown with the agility to support nationwide solutions. Doppelmayr provides a complete turnkey solution from design, fabrication, supply, and installation of all its products from the t-bars, chairlifts, and gondolas through to cable cars and material handling equipment including the wire ropes. “That’s everything you see above ground, and everything you don’t see under the ground,” says Garreth. “Our enduring focus is to provide New Zealand with world-class service that complements Doppelmayr’s world-class products. “Our specialist mechanical and electrical team on the ground in New Zealand are where we add real value — our focus is on finding and maintaining good people and continuing to provide learning and development opportunities so we can continue to do things innovatively and differently.” Other Iconic projects in New Zealand include Queenstown’s brand-new gondola for Skyline Enterprises, and the Wellington Cable Car. www.southernland.co.nz Proudly supporting Doppelmayr NZ Proud to be associated with Doppelmayr NZ For design & supply contact: CROMWELL Email: office@unitedscaffolding.co.nz | Phone: 0800 27 22 33 | www.aplkwikform.co.nz Email: info@earthworksqueenstown.co.nz
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