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A fire destroyed the mountain restaurant of the glacier ski area. The head of the cable car already has big plans.
The fire has been extinguished, but what’s next for Glacier 3000 and the mountain restaurant? Bernhard Tschannen, CEO of Glacier 3000, is currently haunted by these questions.
“We only renovated parts of the Botta restaurant three years ago. Now it’s completely burned out. That’s sad and a setback for all of us, “he says to SRF.
But there is a glimmer of hope for Tschannen and the employees of the glacier ski area near Les Diablerets VD. The fire in the mountain station destroyed the restaurant designed by Ticino architect Mario Botta, but hardly damaged the cable car facilities. According to the boss of the mountain railways, the statics of the building are intact. As late as Tuesday evening, the aerial cableway was able to transport extinguishing water again.
Passengers and employees should follow as soon as possible. This is when the cable car has been put through its paces.
Legend:
Wants to rebuild the Botta restaurant: Bernhard Tschannen, CEO of Glacier 3000.
Katharina Locher/SRF
Tschannen is confident that the winter season can start as planned on November 5th. «Simply without Restaurant Botta. But we will set up a temporary solution where the guests can eat.” There are also other restaurants in the ski area. “We were so looking forward to this winter. Now we have to make the best of it, »says Tschannen.
Does the restaurant have to be canceled?
The cause of the fire is still unknown. As of today, the fire probably started on the fourth floor, where the Botta restaurant is located. It was badly damaged, as was the self-service restaurant on the third floor.
The exact extent of the damage has yet to be determined. “It’s clear that we want to rebuild the restaurant next year,” says Bernhard Tschannen. An analysis must now show whether the destroyed part of the building must be dismantled before the start of the winter season.