After 40 years in operation, Campitello in Trentino is getting a huge cable car upgrade. The historic aerial tramway to Col Rodella will be replaced by Italy’s most modern tri-cable gondola. Slated to launch in December 2025, the new gondola will feature cabins for 30 passengers and promises high capacity, outstanding ride comfort, and innovative features. Here's an overview of the new tri-cable cable car, which also serves as a popular entry point to the Sellaronda circuit.
Rebuild Instead of Renovation
A state-of-the-art tri-cable gondola is currently being built in northern Italy’s Val di Fassa. The system will connect the valley town of Campitello di Fassa with Col Rodella, which towers at 2,396 meters and serves as the only direct access point from Campitello to the ski area. Starting in December 2025, this new lift will replace the old aerial tramway with 125-passenger cabins that had been operating since 1986.
A comprehensive renovation of the old lift would have offered little improvement—neither in comfort nor in capacity. Therefore, the decision was made in favor of a complete rebuild. The goal: a powerful and future-ready transport solution capable of handling peak-season crowds more efficiently.
The project also includes architectural upgrades: the new valley station is being built in the Ischia district and will house the ski school, rental shop, and storage facilities under one roof. The mountain station is being moved further uphill to allow more direct access to the Sellaronda.
New Gondola Triples Capacity
Technologically advanced and designed to meet the highest standards: the new tri-cable gondola by Doppelmayr on Col Rodella is already seen as a flagship project in alpine ropeway construction. With a capacity of up to 2,812 passengers per hour – almost three times more than the old tramway – it promises a major boost in efficiency for the ski area.
Twenty-two cabins, each accommodating 30 people, will take guests to the summit in just six minutes. The 3S system uses two fixed track ropes per direction and a circulating haul rope. It combines the load-bearing power of traditional aerial trams with the high transport capacity of modern gondolas. It’s also highly wind-resistant—an essential advantage in high alpine terrain.
Technical Sophistication and Plenty of Extras
This new gondola excels not just in performance, but also in technical innovation. It features an automatic lubrication system for the track rope guides on the towers and a fully automated cabin washing facility within the parking system. Environmental considerations play a central role too: waste heat from the drive motors is used to heat the stations.
The cabins themselves also offer upgraded comfort: large real-glass windows provide stunning views, while seat heaters, lighting, and infotainment screens enhance the ride experience. Thanks to a flexible interior setup, transporting paragliders, bikes, and winter sports gear is a breeze.
Facts: The Campitello-Col Rodella Gondola
| Type | Tri-Cable Gondola |
|---|---|
Base Station | 1.410 m |
Top Station | 2.395 m |
Places per cabin | 30 persons |
Number of cabins | 22 cabins |
Maximum capacity | 2,812 passengers per hour |
Maximum speed | 8.0 meters per second |
| Travel time | 6 minutes |
New Station Buildings with Architectural Flair
Alongside the lift itself, two entirely new stations are being constructed. The new valley station in the Ischia district will feature not only ticketing and waiting areas but also a ski rental, storage depot, and the ski school office.
The mountain station is being relocated further uphill, creating a direct link to the Sellaronda and nearby slopes—eliminating long walks. Part of the building will be constructed underground and used as a cabin garage. On the valley-facing side, a sleek glass façade will provide an architectural highlight with views toward Canazei.
The project also sets an environmental benchmark: the stations will be soundproofed and optimized for low vibration. A heat recovery system will reuse waste heat from the drive motors to warm the interior spaces.
Belvedere-Col Rodella: Skiing with a Dolomite Panorama
Framed by the peaks of the Sassolungo group, the Sella massif, and the Marmolada, the Belvedere-Col Rodella area is one of the most popular ski destinations in Val di Fassa – and part of the legendary Sellaronda circuit.
Some 30 kilometers of groomed slopes and 23 lift facilities await athletic skiers and panorama lovers alike. Most runs—24 kilometers in total—are marked red, offering intermediate skiers just the right level of challenge. Beginners can explore around 6 kilometers of blue runs, while experts can take on 1.4 kilometers of black-rated terrain.
Families and freestylers also have plenty to enjoy: the Canazei Ski School operates a charming kids’ area, while the Dolomiti Snowpark features rails, kickers, and a separate boardercross course for bold freestylers. Powder fans will love the “Diego” freeride route, which drops 300 vertical meters over more than a kilometer right through the heart of the ski area.
12 Ski Resorts, One Experience
The Belvedere-Col Rodella ski area is part of Dolomiti Superski – one of the largest ski networks in the world. With just one ski pass, winter sports enthusiasts gain access to a total of twelve ski areas, including neighboring resorts like Val Gardena, Alta Badia, and Arabba-Marmolada. This makes it possible to conquer the iconic Sellaronda circuit across multiple ski areas with a single ticket.
