Merritts Gondola
Project Background
The Merritts Gondola marks a historic milestone as Australia’s first ski resort gondola. This state-of-the-art cabin lift replaced an aging chairlift to provide a faster, safer, and more efficient transport system – cutting travel time to just six minutes between the village and the Cruiser Area. Designed for year-round operation, the gondola supports skiers, snowboarders, and scenic visitors alike, dramatically improving access and enhancing the overall resort experience.
Delivering a large-scale gondola system in steep alpine terrain presented complex geotechnical challenges. The site’s landslide-prone slopes and sensitive environmental setting demanded a carefully engineered foundation strategy with minimal ecological impact.
Site Conditions & Challenges
Our geotechnical team led comprehensive site investigations, including landslide risk assessments and detailed recommendations for foundation design, excavation, and groundwater control. We also provided ongoing construction support through critical footing inspections and tailored design advice to adapt to evolving ground conditions.
Aretas’ Approach
The Merritts Gondola was delivered on time and met all safety and performance standards. The result is a transformational piece of infrastructure that improves mountain access, reduces transport times, and sets a new benchmark for alpine resort development in Australia.
Results Delivered
