Three years ago, the Board of Directors of Bergbahnen Flumserberg AG decided to further strengthen summer tourism on Flumserberg with a network of trails for downhill mountain bikers. After the media release on the Flumserberg - Bikerberg project in January 2014, things went quiet - externally - for a long time. Internally, however, the project group worked intensively - organizing information events for various interest groups, such as landowners, hunters, environmental protection, forestry and many more. Bilateral discussions were also held. The overall project with the various expansion stages was presented right from the start.

Construction permit as the first milestone

The project envisages the gradual realization of bike trails and specific offers. The first approved stage includes four constructed mountain bike trails - all above 1220 m. The four routes include the connecting route from Tannenboden to Tannenheim, which allows bikers to reach Tannenheim without riding on the cantonal road. The first main route leads from Prodalp to Tannenheim. In addition, two single trails are planned from Prodkamm to Prodalp and to Tannenboden respectively.

Start of construction on Prodalp

The ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the first section from Prodalp 1576 m to Tannenheim 1220 m has taken place. The approximately 3.5 km long, family-friendly route will have an average gradient of 8%. The width of the road will be between 1.5 and 2 m. Waves, banked turns and jumps provide plenty of fun and variety. The 12-seater Prodalp-Express gondola lift will take bikers comfortably from Tannenheim to Prodalp in the marked biker gondolas after the opening.

The routes with the starting point Prodkamm are all about experiencing nature. Once open, the 8-seater chairlift will take bikers from Prodalp to the Prodkamm 1939 m. Surrounded by the beautiful mountain panorama, the 0.8 to 1 m wide single trail rides back to Prodalp or down to Tannenboden. The route is designed to make optimum use of the contours of the terrain.

Advice for the construction team from expert Hey

The construction team of Bergbahnen Flumserberg AG is supported by regional excavation companies. Tom Hey, who lives in New Zealand, was also flown in as a technical expert. Hey has been working in bike trail construction for 15 years. He gained his basic knowledge as an employee of Gravity Logic - the world's best-known trail building company, which also built and developed the bike mecca of Whistler Mountain in Canada. For the past five years, Tom Hey has had his own company - Elevate Trail Building - building mountain bike trails all over the world. Tom Hey was on hand to advise on the start of construction and helped choose the right lines.

Mountain railroads rely on insider knowledge

The BikerBerg project group is led by Katja Rupf, Head of Marketing at Bergbahnen Flumserberg AG. Rupf is an insider and has been active in the bike scene for many years. René Wildhaber, the local mountain bike pro and reigning European Enduro champion, will provide additional insider knowledge. René Wildhaber advises on construction and later also on operation from a biker's perspective and will also play a central role in communication.

Opening date dependent on the weather

The route is currently under construction and it is not yet possible to ride on it. The opening date of the first section Prodalp - Tannenheim depends on many different factors - construction progress, weather, etc. Information will be provided as soon as the opening date is known. Until then, construction progress can be followed at www.facebook.com/bikerberg. Further information is available at www.bikerberg.ch