Industry News
A bold new plan could soon link two of Switzerland’s most iconic mountain regions—Andermatt in the canton of Uri and Airolo in the canton of Ticino—through a 16-kilometer (10-mile) gondola system crossing the St. Gotthard Pass. If realized, the project would not only bridge the German- and Italian-speaking areas of Switzerland, but also transform the region into a four-season international tourism destination.
The concept, still in its early planning stages, is being spearheaded by Porta Gottardo, a regional committee founded in 2023, which brings together stakeholders from Uri and Ticino. The initiative aims to spark long-term economic, environmental, and social development in the broader Gotthard region. Last week, the project was presented by the Porta Gottardo group to, amongst others, the cantonal councillors Christian Vitta of Ticino and Urban Camenzind of Uri.
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According to preliminary plans, the connection would consist of three gondola segments: the first departing from the Airolo-Pesciüm lift area and rising toward the Gotthard Pass; the second continuing toward Alpe Rotond; and the third reaching Gemsstock, a key access point to the Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis ski area. The planned route intentionally avoids areas of high ecological value to maintain environmental sustainability. The gondola would provide access for winter sport enthusiasts to the snow fields on the Gotthard Pass, which are currently only accessible to backcountry skiers.
The Andermatt region has seen major investment in recent years, initially led by Egyptian developer Samih Sawiris, who helped transform the once-sleepy town into a luxury destination. In 2022, Vail Resorts acquired a majority stake in the Andermatt-Sedrun ski operations, further integrating the area into global winter tourism networks through the Epic Pass and attracting international visitors.
Meanwhile, Airolo has long attracted summer visitors but remains underutilized in the winter months compared to its northern neighbor. Uniting the two could help balance seasonal flow and open new possibilities for integrated tourism offerings—from hiking and skiing to cultural events and hospitality.
The proposed gondola would span approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) and serve as a central feature in a broader tourism development strategy, in which skiing would be just one component. Year-round activities, accessibility, and cultural exchange between the two linguistic regions are expected to play a central role.
A feasibility study, supported by federal organization Regiosuisse, is the next major step. It will assess the project’s strengths and weaknesses from economic, logistical, and environmental standpoints. At the same time, Porta Gottardo plans to launch public engagement campaigns to gather feedback from local communities, environmental groups, and other regional stakeholders.
Financing remains an open question. The committee hopes to secure a mix of public and private funding once the project’s scope and impact are more clearly defined.
Though construction would likely be a decade away, the vision is clear: to elevate the Gotthard region into a model of sustainable, year-round alpine tourism—and to bring together two valleys long separated by language, geography, and tradition.
