Italian Ski Resort Enhances Lift System for 2026 Winter Olympics

2026 Olympics Venue Adding Two New Major Lifts For Next Winter In preparation for hosting events at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Mottolino Ski Resort in Livigno, Italy is undergoing a major upgrade to its lift infrastructure. This exciting development is set to significantly enhance the skiing and snowboarding experience at the resort.To meet the growing demands of Olympic events and improve overall guest satisfaction, Mottolino is investing €30 million in two new state-of-the-art lifts for the 2024-25 ski season. These additions will revolutionize how visitors access the slopes and provide a more comfortable and efficient experience.The first lift is a sophisticated Doppelmayr ten-person gondola. This modern gondola will have the impressive capacity to transport 3200 people per hour, traveling at a speed of 6 meters (20 feet) per second. The new gondola will drastically cut ride times to just five minutes and twenty seconds, compared to the current nine minutes. Additionally, it will feature the capability to load three cabins simultaneously, a significant upgrade from the single cabin loading of the existing gondola. While the new gondola is under construction, the current Motolino Gondola will remain in operation, ensuring minimal disruption for visitors. The second major upgrade is the introduction of a high-speed, detachable eight-pack bubble chairlift. This new lift will replace the old Monte Sponda chairlift and bring several improvements. The bubble chairlift will be equipped with heated seats for added comfort and will increase capacity from 2400 to 3200 people per hour. The reduction in wait times and the enhanced comfort of heated seats will make a notable difference for skiers and riders. The previous Monte Sponda chairlift, a high-speed detachable quad, will be retired, making way for this advanced new lift.These enhancements are not just about improving lift infrastructure—they are a crucial part of Mottolino's preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics. As one of the key venues for the Games, Mottolino will host snowboarding events at their renowned Livigno Snowpark. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mottolino Fun Mountain Livigno (@mottolinolivigno) “The Games represent a unique opportunity to align ourselves, in terms of facilities, with high international standards. We have therefore chosen to bring forward the programming of our industrial plan to be ready for the appointment of Milan Cortina 2026 not only mentally but also with a sustainable and cutting-edge facilities park that is up to the event and a prestigious location like Livigno wants to be. This is a significant investment of over 30 million euros to rebuild the Mottolino cable car and to build the new Sponda chairlift from scratch. Two projects that will remain as a legacy to the Livigno area obviously also after the Olympics. But we are not stopping there. In fact, this week we have decided to invest approximately another million euros for a new ski lift. A ski lift with a greater hourly capacity than the current one, now obsolete, which will also improve the offer of our school camp.” The upgrades are designed to ensure the resort is ready to accommodate the influx of athletes, spectators, and media that the Olympics will bring.Marco Rocca, CEO of Mottolino, emphasized the significance of this project, noting, “Mottolino will be a central venue for the 2026 Winter Olympics, and these lift upgrades are essential for providing an exceptional experience for everyone involved.”