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Zermatt: Elevating the Alpine Experience with Next-Generation Access Technology

As one of Europe's highest and most prestigious ski resorts, Zermatt combines breathtaking Alpine scenery with a commitment to innovation.

Situated at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn â€“ one of the world's most recognizable mountains â€“ the resort attracts nearly 2 million visitors annually from across the globe. The resort boasts 220 kilometers of slopes, expanding to 360 kilometers when combined with Cervinia in Italy. Home to Europe's highest cogwheel railway, Zermatt needed an access solution that would elevate the guest experience across all their diverse attractions.

Project Overview

Innovative sMove Wave Design Replacing Traditional Turnstiles

Smartphone Ski Pass with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) for Seamless Access

Advanced Radar Sensor Technology for Multiple Visitor Types

Zermatt operates Europe's highest cogwheel railway, the Gornergrat Railway, which transports visitors from 1,600 meters to an impressive 3,100 meters at the summit.

The resort selected SKIDATA's award-winning sMove system after a decade with their previous access solution. With over 200 gates installed, Zermatt became the largest sMove implementation worldwide, marking a conscious decision to move away from traditional turnstiles toward this innovative access technology.

The resort also valued the opportunity to actively contribute to the development process, ensuring solutions optimized for alpine operations across all seasons.

Zermatt: Elevating the Alpine Experience with Next-Generation Access Technology

Zermatt: Elevating the Alpine Experience with Next-Generation Access Technology

Zermatt implemented SKIDATA's Smartphone Ski Pass with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technology for mobile ticketing, significantly enhancing the guest experience. This smartphone-based system eliminates physical tickets by providing:

Convenient digital access for all visitors
Streamlined entry processes with reduced wait times
Enhanced data collection for operational improvements

The SKIDATA Smartphone Ski Pass Solution serves as a cornerstone of Zermatt's commitment to innovation in the alpine tourism sector.

For an iconic destination like Zermatt, ensuring seamless access across diverse visitor types is essential. SKIDATA's sMove Wave system delivers this versatility through advanced radar sensor technology.

The system's key advantages include:

Reliable detection and separation of different visitor groups
Smooth, barrier-free entry experience without traditional turnstiles
Self-service passage for summer guests with strollers and mountain bikes
Independent operation without constant staff assistance

As noted by Zermatt's representative: "An access system should not be a barrier, but rather open the doors to the experience." The sMove gate achieves this vision perfectly, transforming access points into seamless gateways to the alpine adventure.

Zermatt: Elevating the Alpine Experience with Next-Generation Access Technology

After around ten years of operation with the existing system, we decided to carry out a complete replacement. And when you make a complete replacement, you always want something innovative, something new, and we saw that innovation in sMove.

Matthias Amacker, Head of IT, Zermatt Bergbahnen AG

Facts & Figures

Project Name	Zermatt Gornergrat Access Solution
City	Zermatt, Switzerland
Installation Date	2024
Capacity/Usage	Europe's highest cogwheel railway serving one of Europe's highest ski resorts with 220km of slopes (360km with Cervinia) and nearly 2 million annual visitors
Requirement	Complete replacement of 10-year-old access system with innovative technology for diverse visitor types across winter and summer seasons
Solution implemented	Over 200 sMove gates with radar sensors, Smartphone Ski Pass (BLE mobile ticketing) integration, and innovative sMove Wave design
Realization / Special Features	Award-winning sMove Wave design replacing traditional turnstiles, radar technology for reliable customer separation, and self-service passage for summer visitors with strollers/bikes

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