Silvretta Montafon builds on historic ground

Silvretta Montafon GmbH is investing around 4.9 million euros in the expansion of its tourism offering: a new building will be constructed in place of the "old valley station" of the Versettla single chairlift by the start of the 2018/19 winter season. It will house a sports shop and an après-ski bar with an open and covered terrace as well as an eight-metre-long Sky Bar. The ground-breaking ceremony took place at the end of October 2017.

From 1966 to 1986, the Versettla single chairlift took winter sports enthusiasts up into the mountains until its capacity was no longer sufficient. Now a new chapter is beginning on historic ground: the "old valley station" is making way for something new - in combination with Montafon tradition. "Where Montafon skiing history has been written since the late 1940s, first with a T-bar lift and then with a single chairlift, a new building with a sports shop and ski hire on the ground floor and a modern après-ski arena on the upper floor will be built by the start of the 2018/19 winter season," explains Martin Oberhammer, Managing Director of Silvretta Montafon. Building construction project manager Christian Pfister gives a further outlook:"The new bar is dedicated to the skiing history of the village and the Montafon.Its overall style can be described as 'alpine chic':Many traditional elements of the interior design are combined with fashionable accessories - from wooden ceilings with steel structures to robust tables with modern chairs and large-format historical photographs of skiers who have left their mark on Silvretta Montafon." Architect Monika Gogl adds: "With its clear architectural language, the new building structure responds strongly to the striking topology of the location and presents itself with a black wooden façade typical of the Montafon." The Silvretta Montafon Group is investing around 4.9 million euros in the construction of the new "Alte Talstation". 

70th anniversary on historic ground

From 1947, the Motta T-bar lift brought winter sports enthusiasts up the mountain for skiing."The Motta lift was an important milestone in the skiing history of the Montafon, as it was the very first lift in the entire region.The next milestone followed in 1966, when Gaschurn became one of the first ski resorts in Vorarlberg to open a chairlift - a minor sensation at the time.From beginners to professionals - the rush was indescribable. If the 'old valley station' could talk - it could certainly tell us a lot," remembers Fredi Immler, head of the Gaschurn ski school. Since the old Versettla single chairlift was shut down in 1986, the "Alte Talstation" has housed the ski depot. Guests will find this in the same place in the coming winter season: containers will be set up at the construction site as a temporary solution. When the "Alte Talstation" is completed, a sports shop with ski hire will move into the new large premises. One floor above, guests will be able to round off their day's skiing at the bar - just like decades ago. "We used to jump out of the chairlift to get one of the coveted terrace seats in the sun at the former Café Christine not far from the valley station - thank goodness that always ended well," Immler reveals an anecdote. "I'm already excited to see what stories the new "Alte Talstation" will write in the future."

Investment in year-round tourism

The new building is not only an investment in the tourist offer, but also in year-round tourism. "Our major goal is to establish Silvretta Montafon as a destination that is attractive to guests all year round - this is also reflected in the catering concept of the "Alte Talstation". Thanks to the architecture and the ability to flexibly separate indoor and outdoor spaces, we can welcome guests in both summer and winter. A glass façade that can be opened allows the interior to be connected to the terrace without barriers in good weather. The highlight is certainly the eight-metre-long Sky Bar in the open dining room with a breathtaking view towards the Silvretta massif with the striking Vallüla peak," concludes Martin Oberhammer, enthusing about the flexibility and playability of the new "Alte Talstation".