The Zermatt cable car company

Zermatt Bergbahnen AG

2002
merger
280
employees
34
transport systems
56'818
transport capacity pers/h

Zermatt Bergbahnen AG connects people with the unique mountain landscape around the Matterhorn. With our lift installations and services, we provide year-round access to one of the world’s best-known Alpine landscapes and create the conditions for comfortable and unforgettable mountain experiences. Our role goes far beyond transport: we ensure the safe and reliable operation of complex technical installations in a demanding high-Alpine environment and share responsibility for the development of the Zermatt-Matterhorn destination.

As Switzerland’s largest independent cableway company, we take responsibility for our guests, our employees and partners, as well as for the region and the environment. Safety and reliability shape our day-to-day work. Operating in the mountains requires clear processes, careful decision-making and people who can rely on one another. At the same time, we set high standards for the quality of our installations and services. From the first point of contact to their return to the village, our guests should feel welcome and well looked after.

The mountain environment around the Matterhorn is the foundation of our work and a defining part of our employees’ everyday working environment. Through their close connection to nature, our employees experience the unique conditions of the high mountains day after day. For us, this connection also brings with it a responsibility to use resources consciously and plan for the long term. We consider ecological, economic and social aspects together in order to combine the development of our company with a responsible approach to the Alpine environment.

The origins of Zermatt Bergbahnen AG

Our history

The history of Zermatt Bergbahnen AG is closely linked to the development of tourism in the region. Over the decades, various mountain transport companies expanded access to the mountain landscape around the Matterhorn, laying the foundations for the range of services available today.

The year 2002 marked a key milestone: the merger of Matterhornbahnen AG, Zermatter Rothorn-Bahn AG and Standseilbahn Zermatt-Sunnegga AG, together with the incorporation of the «Sport Area» installations by Gornergrat-Monte Rosa-Bahnen, created today’s Zermatt Bergbahnen AG. One year later, Sessellift Findeln-Sunnegga AG was integrated into the company. The merger brought together the strengths of several transport companies and created Switzerland’s largest independent cableway company, which continues to play an active role in shaping the development of the Zermatt-Matterhorn destination today.

Company factsheet

Our journey to today

Milestones

1979 – Construction of the cable car to the Little Matterhorn

The construction of Europe's highest-altitude cable car was completed in late autumn 1979; following approximately three years of construction. A pioneering achievement at between 3,000 and 4,000 metres above sea level. 
The combi cable car runs between Sunnegga and Blauherd and the Matterhorn can be seen in the background. | © Christian Pfammatter

2002 – The merger

At the Annual General Meeting on 15 February 2002, the shareholders of Zermatt’s mountain transport companies approved a merger agreement that resulted in the creation of Switzerland’s largest dedicated cableway company.

2018 – Matterhorn Glacier Ride I

With the Matterhorn Glacier Ride I, the world’s highest 3S cableway began operations for the 2018/19 winter season. The connection from Trockener Steg to the Klein Matterhorn set new standards with modern technology, high-quality design and a high level of comfort.

2020 – Switzerland's first autonomous gondola lift

The detachable 10-seater “Kumme” is Switzerland's first autonomous gondola lift. This autonomous cable car is introduced by Doppelmayr/Garaventa using the term “Autonomous Ropeway Operation” (AURO). AURO cable cars are characterised by their unmanned operation.

2023 – Matterhorn Alpine Crossing

With the opening of the Matterhorn Glacier Ride II in 2023, the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing was completed. The modern 3S cableway connects Switzerland and Italy and enables the highest cross-border Alpine crossing by cableway.

2024 – TourCert certification

Zermatt Bergbahnen AG was one of the first mountain transport companies in Switzerland to receive the TourCert certification. The certification represents a comprehensive approach to sustainability management that combines ecological, economic and social aspects and is continuously developed further.

2025 – Gifthittli chairlift

After 22 years of operation, the Gifthittli chairlift was replaced by one of Switzerland’s first eight-seater chairlifts. Together with the Furgsattel chairlift, the previous installation was one of the first projects completed by Zermatt Bergbahnen AG following the merger in 2002.

MANAGEMENT

Vision AND Mission

VISION

  • We bring people a little closer to the sky – safely, warmly, authentically and in a modern way.
  • The quality of service we offer our guests is as unique as the village of Zermatt and the Matterhorn itself.
  • Zermatt Bergbahnen – one of the world’s leading mountain transport companies.


MISSION

  • We make the mountains around Zermatt and the Matterhorn accessible to our guests all year round and offer a wide variety of ways to experience them.
  • We offer unique experiences surrounded by 4,000-metre peaks.
  • We set standards in environmental management and sustainability across ecological, economic and social aspects.
  • We embrace authenticity and act with care and responsibility to preserve the unique Matterhorn-Zermatt experience for future generations.

What sets us apart

Responsibility for the region and the environment

The mountain environment around the Matterhorn is the foundation of our work and a sensitive natural habitat. We therefore combine ecological, economic and social responsibility and use resources consciously. In this way, we contribute to the long-term development of our company while helping to preserve the Alpine environment.

Corporate Principles

Our guiding principles recognise that we have a special responsibility. This means not only appreciating the privilege of working in one of the most beautiful places in the Alps, but also caring for and preserving the quality of the natural and social environment in which our company operates.

1. A premium product
We are a premium brand competing in a global market and pursue a quality, service and pricing policy that reflects this positioning. Our prices are aligned with the market and the services we offer.

2. Safety for our guests and employees
The safety and health of our guests and employees are our highest priority. We take a proactive approach to prevention.

3. Efficient operations
ZBAG is organised efficiently and maintains a strong awareness of costs. The economic viability of the company is a high priority, ensuring that we retain the freedom to act and remain able to invest in the future.

4. Freedom and closeness to nature
We create a sense of freedom, adventure and closeness to nature through our summer and winter activities.

5. We are part of the guest service chain
We work actively, with foresight and as equal partners with our service providers to ensure a well-functioning Zermatt destination and a seamless service experience for our guests.

6. We value the privilege of working in one of the most beautiful places in the Alps
We care for and preserve the quality of the natural and social environment in which our company operates.

7. «Iischi Bahn» – our lifts
We are committed to preserving the authenticity of Zermatt. ZBAG is «Iischi Bahn». Ensuring that our company remains firmly rooted in Zermatt is very important to us.

More about the Zermatt Bergbahnen

Sustainability

Sustainability

Team

Team