The new Eibsee cable car will boast the world's highest steel column: 127 meters. And no other cable car in the world spans such a distance between support pillars - a staggering 3213 meters. Opened in 1963, the original Eibsee aerial tramway has just two supports, and its successor will make do with just one.

In principle, the new cable car will remain an aerial tramway with a suspension and traction cable, explained the Technical Director of the Zugspitzbahn, Peter Huber, at the unveiling of the plans. "But it will be bigger, better, more modern." The two existing cabins - one going up and one down - have space for 40 passengers each. The new cabin will carry 120 passengers.

The station in the valley will be a completely barrier-free construction, and the top station will provide generous panoramic views from its fully-glazed platforms. The cable car will be opened just in time for the ski season 2017/18 at a cost of 50 million euros.

ot/ak/jt (dpa, Zugspitzbahn)