Business · Companies · 1 day ago
Braunwald group offers 300,000 francs for stake in troubled cable-car company
The Braunwald Sportbahn, which runs lifts in the Swiss resort of Braunwald, has decided to end conventional skiing and stop operating the Gumenbahn.
A group of local residents and holiday-home owners, called Bruuwald zäme, wants to take over the company.
It has offered main shareholder Richard Bolt 300,000 francs for his stake, which the group estimates at about 46 percent.
The offer requires Bolt to cancel debts the company owes him, said to be nearly 4 million francs.
The group proposes running lifts in winter when snow conditions allow and keeping the Gumenbahn open in summer.
It says more than 600 people have offered financial or volunteer support, and argues its plan would be more viable than the company’s plans.
The offer is a step toward a possible change in ownership, but the sources do not say whether Bolt has accepted it.
The “Bruuwald zäme” initiative has offered 300,000 francs for the stake of Sportbahnen Braunwald’s main shareholder, Richard Bolt.
The group wants to take over the indebted ski-lift company and keep a reduced winter operation and the Gumenbahn running in summer.
Sportbahnen Braunwald decided this summer to end classic skiing and plans to close the Gumenbahn.
More than 600 people said in a survey that they would support a new operator financially or through volunteer work.
The offer requires Bolt to forgive nearly 4 million francs in debts owed to him by the company.
- Who
- The “Bruuwald zäme” initiative, backed by holiday-home owners and local residents, has made an offer to main shareholder Richard Bolt.
- What
- It offered 300,000 francs for his stake in Sportbahnen Braunwald, subject to him forgiving nearly 4 million francs in debts.
- When
- The offer was reported on 10 October 2026. The company decided to end classic skiing this summer.
- Where
- Braunwald, in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland.
- Why
- The initiative opposes ending classic skiing and closing the Gumenbahn, and believes its reduced-operation plan would be more viable.
Bruuwald zäme” initiative
Sportbahnen Braunwald
Winter operation
Bruuwald zäme” initiative
The group proposes running lifts when there is enough snow and limiting artificial snowmaking.
Sportbahnen Braunwald
The company plans to end classic ski operations.
Summer service
Bruuwald zäme” initiative
The group wants to keep the Gumenbahn, which serves walking routes and the via ferrata.
Sportbahnen Braunwald
The company plans to close the Gumenbahn.
Financial outlook
Bruuwald zäme” initiative
The group says its operating model would perform better and disputes the company’s revenue assumptions.
Sportbahnen Braunwald
The company budgeted 700,000 francs in transport revenue for the coming winter.
Nobody buys a season pass for sledging.
Sportbahnen Braunwald decided to end classic ski operations.
The “Bruuwald zäme” core team examined company data and developed its own operating model.
The initiative’s offer to Richard Bolt was reported.
The via ferrata operator says it will not open if the Gumenbahn is no longer running.
- Offer for Bolt’s stake
- 300,000 francs
- Bolt’s estimated shareholding
- Around 46 percent
- Debt owed to Bolt
- Nearly 4 million francs
- Survey support
- More than 600 people
- Gumenbahn opening
- 2007
- Via ferrata visitors this year
- More than 6,500
Sources
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