Let us fade back for a moment. Five years after the opening of the Monte Elmo area from Versciaco, the Monte Elmo Sesto cable car was opened on March 1, 1981 - with financial support from the local population. For the tourism in the valley it was a great improvement, the guests now saved the almost half-hour trip by bus or car to Versciaco. Nevertheless, the then president of the Monte Elmo cable car, Alois Strobl, had to endure difficult times. A few days before the opening of the new cable car, the Monte Elmo Restaurant next to the mountain station had been completely destroyed by a major fire. Only four and a half months later, President Strobl died suddenly and unexpectedly.
The two turquoise-colored cabins of the new cable car could carry 75 people each - they were considered a symbol for the up-and-coming tourism in Sesto. During the general renovation in 2000, the cable car was equipped with two new silver-gray panoramic cabins, which were designed for 82 passengers - with a transport capacity of 820 passengers per hour. In recent years the Monte Elmo Sesto cable car has increasingly become a bottleneck. Excessive waiting times prevented many skiers from taking advantage of the sunny downhill run to Sesto.
After 83,200 hours of operation and 14.5 million passengers, the good old "Helmbahnl" will start its last ride on Sunday, September 27, 2020 after 39 accident-free years and thus seal a piece of village history, in which many Sesto residents had a share.
Starting from December 4th, the new detachable premium 10-seater Helmjet Sexten gondola lift, one of the most modern lift facilities in South Tyrol, will bring ski guests quickly and comfortably from Sesto to skiing pleasure.