New lift and new skiing on Vemdalsskalet

With its three skiing areas – Vemdalsskalet, Björnrike and Klövsjö – Vemdalen has experienced strong growth in recent years, due in no small part to major improvements to the skiing area. Work is now underway to take the next step through a complete restructuring of the West skiing area on Vemdalsskalet. Investments have been made in the new West Express lift, almost doubling the total skiing area, and installing a powerful new system of snow machines. The official opening is scheduled for 11.00 on 26 December.

“West Express is sure to make Vemdalen even more attractive. The new lift and the associated investments are fully in line with the journey Vemdalen has undertaken in recent years,” says Torgny Svensson, Destination Manager at SkiStar Vemdalen. West Express is owned by Skalspassets Linbana AB, whose shareholders are businesses active in the local area. SkiStar, which jointly owns the company – as well as investing in snow machines and new descents – will be leasing out and running the new lift.

“This is a major investment that is sure to benefit our guests. As Vemdalen SkiPasses provide unlimited access to all three skiing areas, all our guests can enjoy this new addition – no matter where they stay,” says Anders Lundqvist, Marketing Manager at SkiStar Vemdalen.

Total investments in the destination amount to SEK 63 million: SEK 45 million for the new lift and SEK 18 million for new descents and the snow machines. The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth and the Jämtland County Administrative Board have provided investment support in the amount of SEK 11.7 million.

Facts about ski area West:
West Express Length: 1,180 m; Vertical drop: 320 m; Capacity: 2,800 people/hour; Travel time: 3 min 17 sec; speed 6 m/sec; Chairs with wind protection and fully automatic garage.
Lift supplier Leitner Ropeways.
West Lift The extent of the existing T-bar lift (West Lift), will be halved, and the installation will primarily be used as a transporter during training for alpine clubs, and for people staying in the Klockarfjället area.

About SkiStar:
SkiStar AB (publ), whose B-shares are listed on Nasdaq OMX Mid Cap Stockholm, owns and operates skiing resorts at the alpine destinations of Sälen, Åre and Vemdalen in Sweden, at Hemsedal and Trysil in Norway, and at Hammarbybacken in Stockholm. The company holds a 49% share of the market in Sweden, 28% in Norway, and 39% in Scandinavia as a whole. The core business of the company is alpine skiing, with the focus on the guests’ skiing experiences. Other businesses include organising accommodation, running skiing schools and renting out skiing equipment.