Although Flumserberg is in the middle of the winter season, which is important for business, those responsible at Bergbahnen Flumserberg AG are already planning new and attractive offers for the summer business. The new "Flumserberg - Bikerberg" project is to be planned and tackled. The Board of Directors has taken this fundamental decision and instructed the management to plan such a project in stages and to implement appropriate measures. It was recognized that, in addition to leisure and touring bikers, a new, strong trend towards downhill-oriented bikers is emerging and developing among mountain bikers. These so-called enduro bikers like to be taken up the mountain by cable car and then enjoy the downhill fun. Thanks to its excellent accessibility and proximity to the Zurich conurbation, Flumserberg is convinced that there will be great demand for such an offer.

Project realization in stages
The project envisages the gradual realization of routes and offers for different needs. Families with children, leisure bikers as well as ambitious enduro bikers should be able to indulge in their hobby on the Flumserberg by 2020 once the final expansion has been completed. The first expansion phase is currently being planned and close contact is being maintained with the approval authorities and landowners. An attractive downhill run around the Prodalp-Express gondola lift is being planned as the first stage of expansion. Single trails are then to be realized as further attractions, which in turn can be reached with the appropriate mountain railroads as an ascent aid. In view of the necessary approval process, the mountain railroads are assuming that the first trails could go into operation from summer 2015 at the earliest.

Cooperation in the bike sector sealed
However, the first bike offer in the region is set to go into operation as early as next summer 2014. In Walenstadt, the "Bikepark am See" will be realized by the Bicycle Club Walenstadt. Bergbahnen Flumserberg AG is actively supporting this project and is one of the three main sponsors. Detailed information about this project is expected to be published at a public information event in March.

In addition, Bergbahnen Flumserberg has entered into a long-term partnership with the Züritrails association for the realization of its bike projects. The aim is for Flumserberg to benefit from the experience of Züritrails and thus specifically address the needs of a large user group. With around 900 members, the Züritrails association is the largest Swiss mountain bike association and represents the interests and opinions of mountain bikers in the city of Zurich and the surrounding area. Züritrails sees the collaboration as an opportunity, as there is no offer for "gravity bikers" in Zurich, i.e. those who take the cable car up the mountain to enjoy the fun of riding downhill. Flumserberg's proximity to Zurich, direct public transport connections and cable car facilities make it ideally suited to meet this strong and ever-increasing demand.

First scene event in February
The first "scent mark" will be set on Flumserberg on February 14, 2014 with the "1st SnowBike NightRide" biking event. The three-kilometre illuminated toboggan run from Prodalp to Tannenheim will be available exclusively to interested mountain bikers from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for speedy descents on snow. Afterwards, participants can exchange experiences and talk to experts at the après bike in the sonderBar at the Tannenheim valley station.

www.flumserberg.ch

Source: Press release