Schwarzwandbahn New: The iconic cable car in Zauchensee is getting ready for the 21st century

On the 21st of April 2025, the time had come: after almost 40 years of service, the original Schwarzwandbahn cable car in Zauchensee made its final rounds. At the end of the 2024/25 ski season, Zauchensee's ‘Grandpa’ was dismantled to make way for the new generation: a state-of-the-art, comfortable 10-person gondola lift.

Since 1987, the red 4-seater gondola lift has been part of the skiing experience in Zauchensee for generations of winter sports enthusiasts. Wonderful memories were made, the coolest Instagram stories were posted, and in spring 2025, ‘Grandpa’ even witnessed a marriage proposal.

It is with a touch of sadness and a great deal of anticipation that we look forward to the new era of the Schwarzwandbahn, which will commence operation in the 2025/26 ski season.

The new Schwarzwandbahn not only has a modern appearance but also offers numerous improvements for winter sports enthusiasts in Zauchensee: more legroom, easier access, and completely new seating arrangements ensure a first-class feeling of space and greater comfort.

A particular bonus is the increased capacity from 1.700 to 2.300 passengers per hour: This means that 35 per cent more passengers per hour can be transported up to the Gamskogel than with the old Schwarzwandbahn.

New: For the first time, pedestrians can also take the new Schwarzwandbahn up to 2,113 metres and walk around 50 metres to the start of the World Cup track on the Gamskogel.

The image above is a visualisation of the new Schwarzwald Railway.

* Note: We asked the manufacturer Doppelmayr why the journey time of the new Schwarzwandbahn differs from that of our Grandpa's. According to the manufacturer, there are two reasons for this:
1. Different measurement criteria (today, the time is calculated differently at the valley and mountain stations than it was in the 1980’s).
2. Slower speed and larger circulation in the new valley and mountain stations (the new cabins are larger and can accommodate up to 10 people instead of the previous 4).

Despite construction work on the Schwarzwandbahn, the Gamskogelbahn will continue to operate without disruption until the 30th of September, ensuring that visitors can continue to enjoy the Gamskogel. However, construction traffic between the Zauchensee World Cup Arena and the Schwarzwandbahn mountain station may occur, especially on weekdays.

👉 For a relaxed ascent and descent, we recommend taking the Gamskogelbahn cable car. Ideal for saving energy before a hike or as a guarantee of a safe descent after a strenuous tour.

👉 If you want to hike up to the Gamskogelhütte or descend back down into the valley from there, it is best to choose the route via the World Cup track. This allows you to hike the downhill run of the speed queens in the international Ski World Cup and discover new interactive World Cup information boards.

👉 Until the 30th of September, Zauchi's slow train will take you from the Gamskogelhütte to the Seekarsee Lake and back. A relaxing journey where you can enjoy views of the peaks of the 4-summit tour, marmots and friendly alpine cows.
👉 At Seekarsee Lake, a circular trail awaits you with relaxing sun loungers and invigorating interactive stations where you can soak up the power of the mountains all by yourself.

Don't worry, our ‘Grandpa’ will remain with us in a way: from Altenmarkt to Zauchensee, you can discover the lovingly restored original cabins in gardens and forecourts on your way to the mountain paradise (in spring 2025, fans of the cult cable car were able to purchase individual cabins). A historic cabin will also find a new home in the renovated Zauchensee World Cup Arena from the 2025/26 ski season onwards.

photo credits: Zauchensee Liftgesellschaft