Information event in Leukerbad

Leukerbad, 23/06/2025 - On 23rd of June, an information event on the Torrent Master Plan took place in the Leukerbad Theatre as part of the My Leukerbad Evening. Urs Zurbriggen, CEO of My Leukerbad AG, began by explaining the interplay between the development of railway infrastructure and adventure infrastructure, which forms the core content of the master plan. The development is intended to promote the vision of establishing the Torrent railways as a year-round adventure provider.

Next, initial results from the ‘Pulse Check’ were presented. This was a survey on tourism development in the Leukerbad destination aimed at locals, second home owners, guests and workers in Leukerbad and surrounding communities. It was conducted between mid-April and mid-June and recorded 499 participants. The aim was to gauge the mood regarding tourism development and the awareness and perception of the Torrent Master Plan. The survey included questions about expectations regarding tourist offerings, infrastructure and seasonal priorities, as well as opportunities for participation and information needs. Personal assessments, concerns and visions for the future could also be contributed. The results will be incorporated into further planning and communication regarding the destination's tourism development.

The initial findings clearly show that over 93% of respondents clearly see tourism as an important economic factor or leading industry in their community. With regard to the development of tourism, almost two-thirds are in favour of promoting year-round tourism, followed by the promotion of winter tourism and summer tourism. There is also a clear desire for family-friendly and group-oriented tourism. In terms of information, only 37% of participants feel well or somewhat well informed about the Torrent Master Plan. Just under 60% are (somewhat) dissatisfied with the level of information they have received. Urs Zurbriggen picks up on this result and emphasises that the level of information is being taken seriously. Possible measures for improvement are being examined. A detailed publication of the findings of the pulse check will follow in autumn.

This was followed by a panel discussion on the Torrent Master Plan. Moderated by Urs Zurbriggen, Christian Grichting (Chairman of the Board of Directors of LLAT), Thomas Rentsch (Member of the Board of Directors of LLAT and CEO of Tytec) and Edgar Grämiger (Project Manager of the Torrent Master Plan, Grischconsulta) discussed key aspects of the project and answered various questions. In the second part of the discussion, the audience also had the opportunity to ask questions directly to the panel guests.

For example, it was asked whether the pre-summit was primarily intended for summer or winter use – and what increase in first-time visitors was hoped for as a result. Thomas Rentsch explains that the master plan is aimed at maintaining first-time visitor numbers in winter and doubling them in summer. Without a unique offering such as the development of the pre-summit with its panoramic view of the Valais Alps, this would be difficult to achieve. This promotes the destination's strategy of year-round tourism.

Another question concerned the planned phasing of the railway infrastructure: why not plan a continuous railway from Flaschen via the middle station to the pre-summit – with a single investment and a uniform type of railway? Thomas Rentsch explains that such a development would require a very heavy and expensive gondola lift in several sections. The development capacities vary up to and from the Rinderhütte. This gondola lift would therefore be neither technically nor financially efficient. Neither the investment costs nor the operating costs for such a facility could be covered. The necessary and planned capacity to the pre-summit is too small for a detachable gondola lift. In addition, the stations of detachable systems require much more space than stations for aerial tramways, which is not available on the pre-summit. The operating costs for an aerial tramway are significantly lower than for a gondola lift. The Rinderhütte – pre-summit route is ideal for an aerial tramway because terrain chambers and facilities have to be crossed.

The evening was rounded off with a digital survey in which the audience was invited to give their opinions on the master plan. When asked about the biggest challenges, financing and land ownership were mentioned most frequently. Finally, participants were asked to describe the master plan in one to three words. Apart from a few critical comments – such as difficult to implement, unrealistic or too ambitious – the responses were dominated by clearly positive terms such as visionary, forward-looking, courageous, innovative, necessary and progressive. These responses show that, despite unresolved issues, the Torrent master plan is perceived as a promising and groundbreaking initiative, giving cause for optimism about the next steps.