Today, those who glide comfortably up Mount Titlis with the rotating Titlis Rotair have little idea of the fascinating and pioneering history behind the Titlis mountain railways. For over 110 years, they have not only shaped winter tourism in Engelberg, but also written an important chapter in the history of Swiss cable cars with groundbreaking innovations.

Back then, the winter season in Engelberg traditionally ended by the end of February. But three resourceful individuals — Director Höchli, Spa Director Dr. Josef Hess-Ihm, and Trübsee hotelier Karl Hess-Lagler — had an idea to extend the season: they organized a spectacular ski race every Easter, starting from the highest peak of Titlis at 3,238 meters above sea level down to the Hotel Trübsee at 1,800 meters.

The participants were comfortably transported to Trübsee, but had to climb the challenging ascent to the Titlis summit on foot. This event helped extend the ski season until the end of April — a clever move that was very well received. The crowning highlight of this initiative: from March 5 to 7, 1938, Engelberg hosted the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships.

On December 18, 1943, the Trübsee–Jochpass chairlift was opened. It was the first chairlift in Switzerland to also carry hikers during the summer.

On December 16, 1959, a second cableway to Trübsee was opened — the first parallel cableway in the country. At the same time, the Trübsee–Bitzistock ski lift began operation.

To address long waiting times and increasing competition from surrounding ski areas, the Gerschnialp ski lift and the Jochpass–Jochstock ski lifts were opened in 1961.

With steadily growing interest and increasing international visitors, the desire for a cableway to Titlis resurfaced in the early 1960s. Originally, the plan was to build direct access to the Gross Titlis at 3,238 meters above sea level. However, out of respect for local and environmental protection concerns, this plan was abandoned.

A compromise was reached: the new cableway would have its upper station a bit lower, at Klein Titlis, 3,020 meters above sea level.

On March 20, 1962, a 26-member initiative committee was founded to pursue the development of Klein Titlis (3,020 m) as a new destination.

Trotz winterlicher Bedingungen im Sommer 1964 begannen die Bauarbeiten an der neuen Pendelbahn Trübsee–Stand. Die Bauarbeiter mussten die Baustelle oft erst freischaufeln, bevor sie mit der Arbeit starten konnten. Als echtes Pionierprojekt verlangte der Bau viel Improvisation und Anpassung direkt vor Ort. Am 26. Juni 1965 konnte die 1. Sektion der Pendelbahn schliesslich erfolgreich in Betrieb genommen werden.

The construction of the second section of the cable car was a significant moment in Swiss mountain railway history and attracted great interest beyond the country’s borders. Numerous journalists and reporters followed the work and covered the ambitious project.

The second section was completed on March 15, 1967. The official opening took place on May 9, 1967, performed by Abbot Leonhard Bösch. Just two years later, on February 8, 1969, Titlis celebrated a special milestone: the one millionth passenger since the cable car began operation.

In 1970, the glacier ski lift followed, enabling summer skiing, along with the opening of the glacier cave.

• 1972: Opening of the panorama restaurant on Titlis.
• 1975: Approval of the Engstlensee–Jochpass chairlift.
• 1978: Reconstruction of the Untertrübsee ski lift and inauguration of the new valley station.
• 1982/83: Merger into BEGT AG.
• 1984: Opening of the Rindertitlis chairlift and the Engelberg–Trübsee gondola.
• 1986: Opening of the Rotegg glacier ski lift — famous for its challenging slope. Since 2024, this run is known as the “Marco Odermatt Piste Rotegg” (see blog post).

On December 20, 1992, the world’s first rotating aerial cableway, the Rotair, was inaugurated. The idea came from Director Rüegger, inspired by the revolving restaurant Metro Alpin in Saas-Fee. Together with the cableway construction company Garaventa, the vision became reality, creating a technical highlight that continues to delight guests from around the world.

Also in 1992, an important organizational milestone took place for the Engelberg mountain railways: the previously existing 29 lifts and ski lifts, operated by 13 companies, merged to form Bergbahnen Engelberg-Trübsee-Titlis AG (BET AG) — a milestone for the region’s future and a key step towards efficiency and joint development.

• 1994: Expansion of the valley station
• 1999: Construction of the new Ice Flyer chairlift
• 2001: Connection chairlift Trübsee–Hopper
• 2002: Construction of the Jochpass–Jochstock chairlift
• 2004: Construction of the après-ski bar Chalet
• 2005: Acquisition of Hotel Terrace and construction of the Trübsee–Jochpass chairlift
• 2006–2009: Acquisition and renovation of the Berghotel Trübsee
• 2011: Start of construction of the Titlis Resort holiday village
• 2012: Opening of Europe’s highest Cliff Walk