Summit meeting on the Pilatus

The 130-year-old, steepest cogwheel railroad in the world took the colorful group of Swiss Marketing Forum partners, led by its president Uwe Tännler, up to the 2132-meter-high Pilatus on June 14. At the mountain station, three alphorn players welcomed the guests, who were then able to test their talent on the horn themselves.

Ibexes up close

Tobias Thut, Marketing and Sales Manager of Pilatus-Bahnen AG, explained what the Pilatus has to offer its event and seminar guests. One-day seminars with up to 250 participants are possible on the mountain. A maximum of 100 people can stay overnight in the 50 rooms. Of these, 30 superior rooms are located in the historic Hotel Pilatus-Kulm, which was built in 1890 and completely renovated in 2010. 20 further rooms are located in the Hotel Bellevue at the mountain station.The journey on the cog railroad from Alpnachstad up to Pilatus takes 30 minutes, and 40 minutes down. Those who prefer a faster trip can travel up from the Lucerne side, from Kriens, on the modern aerial cableway, which was completely renovated in 2015.In addition to the wonderful view of the Central Swiss and Bernese Alps, guests at the partner event were able to experience a whole herd of ibex up close. After visiting the two hotels and the magnificent Queen Victoria Hall, the kitchen brigade showed off their skills in the Cheminée Hall.

Major investment

The guests spent around three and a half hours on the mountain before the cogwheel train took them back down at a leisurely pace of eight kilometers per hour. It will be a little faster in 2022 when new railcars come into service. They will be specially developed by Stadler Rail and - together with an expansion of the track system - will cost around 50 million francs.