The SunKid Wonder Carpet as the "missing link"

Folgaria has been among SunKid's customers for over 10 years, and currently operates eight Wonder Carpets - three of which are equipped with a gallery enclosure. An additional enclosed conveyor lift was added to the operations for the 2011 winter season, allowing for an expansion of the ski resort towards Veneto.

: In harmony with the landscape: the SunKid Wonder Carpet with gallery enclosure. ©SunKid

: The unique design of the SunKid gallery invites passengers into a pleasant space. ©SunKid

Folgaria is located in Trentino, north-east of the Lake Garda, and is a ski resort which has grown considerably in recent years. This is partly due to the ski resort being one of the farthest south of the Alps, and consequently being easily reachable by many inhabitants of the Po region. The resort also offers both reliable snowfall and excellent, modern lifts for all winter sports enthusiasts. For these reasons, the owners decided to increase the attractiveness of the resort by adding three chair lifts at the start of this ski season. In order to make this plan possible, a gap needed to be bridged by a conveyor belt lift at Coe Pass. As an existing reliable partner for earlier projects, SunKid received the contract to install this "missing link".

: Folgaria invites visitors to “touch the sky…” and now it's possible with the SunKid Wonder Carpet! (c) SunKid

Now, visitors can reach the newly opened area extending toward Alpe Fiorentini in Veneto with a SunKid Wonder Carpet, at a length of 524.93 feet and ending right at the Coe Pass. A 22 kW motor drives the conveyor belt, which is 1.96 feet wide (600 mm). Because the unit is installed in an exposed position above the treeline, the SunKid Wonder Carpet was equipped with a gallery enclosure, offering passengers protection from wind and weather. And the operator can also enjoy this protection, which means minimal maintenance requirements for the conveyor belt and no snow removal before startup.

: Folgaria (Italy): The SunKid Wonder Carpet as the "missing link" (c) SunKid

And the clear, strong, 3mm UV-resistant polycarbonate glass in the gallery enclosure gives visitors a wonderful view of the surrounding Alpine landscape. In addition, the interior width of 7.21 ft and a height of 7.54 ft provide a spacious feeling. The SunKid gallery can be installed for every model of the SunKid Wonder Carpet, and can also be fitted to already existing installations. The individual elements are made of aluminum beam construction and only weight 55.12 lb (25 kg). By employing this high-quality construction, it is possible to both offer a quick and simple installation, and guarantee excellent stability and resilience. The time-tested modular design of the SunKid gallery easily adjusts to both convex and concave terrain. Self-retracting tarp covers at the exits make it easy to open the gallery, even at low temperatures and with gloves. Both the upper and lower ends of the gallery enclosure can be closed and locked overnight.

Technical facts SunKid Galerie "Standard"

Modular construction, wherein the heaviest component is 55.12 lb (25 kg). This means that the entire gallery can be installed and taken down by only two people.
Interior width: max 7.21 ft (2.2m); interior height: 7.54 ft (2.3m)
Entrance and exits every 5.90 ft (1.8m), with a width of 3.93 ft (1.2m); these can be closed with self-retracting tarp covers made of high-quality transport-industry material.
Specially-constructed and manufactured aluminum beams with the following features:
- low weight
- high resilience (wind speeds up to 114,95 mph (185 km/h), snow loads up to 3.28 ft (1m)
- High-quality, 0.1181 inch/3mm UV-resistant polycarbonate glass (which can be installed without any drilled holes or screws).
- A coupling connector between each aluminum module allows the system to be adapted to concave and convex terrains, up to +/- 5% per 9.84 ft (3m).
- 0.13 ft (40cm) gangway extension on both sides in the time-tested standard design: a solid metal construction with high-quality textile adhesive.
- Robust, zinc-galvanized side baffles which run at a height of 0.06 ft (20cm) above the conveyor lift and the snow level to prevent possible damage to the polycarbonate glass during snow removal, grooming, and impact from skis and other equipment.
- Lockable doors with high-quality aluminum construction.
- Visual enhancement (the tarp covers can be delivered in all RAL colors.