gondolihissi

Gondolihissi, or gondola lift, is a type of aerial transport system in which enclosed passenger cabins, called gondolas, are suspended from a continuously moving rope and carried between two or more stations. The cabins are designed to protect riders from weather and wind, distinguishing gondolihissit from open chairlifts. The system consists of towers that support the cable, terminal buildings for loading and unloading, and a drive mechanism that moves the rope.

There are two main varieties: fixed-grip gondola lifts, where cabins remain attached to the rope along the entire route, and detachable gondola lifts, where cabins detach at stations to slow for loading and then rejoin the rope at higher speeds. Detachable systems offer higher throughput and shorter loading times while maintaining comfortable travel.

In operation, gondolihissit transport groups of passengers along routes that can span valleys, urban corridors, or mountain slopes. Cabin size varies by model, with typical configurations supporting a handful to a dozen or more passengers per cabin. Speeds and travel times depend on system design and length of the route.

Safety and maintenance are governed by aviation- or railway-like standards, including regular inspections of rope integrity, towers, drive equipment, braking systems, and emergency procedures. Weather conditions influence operations, with suspensions possible during high winds or ice.

Gondolihissit have a history dating to early aerial lift experiments and became widespread in ski areas in the mid-to-late 20th century, with modern detachable systems widely deployed in the 1980s and beyond. They remain a common solution for high-capacity, weather-protected mountain transport and, in some places, urban transit.