By: ViaCon Sweden
Project Summary
ViaCon Sweden supplied three structural plate tunnels that supported the expansion of the award-winning Idre Fjäll Ski Resort. The project improved skier access, accommodated new gondola infrastructure, and demonstrated how buried bridge technology can accelerate recreational infrastructure projects.
Idre Fjäll has become one of Sweden’s premier ski destinations, attracting visitors from across Scandinavia with its growing network of trails and year-round outdoor recreation.
As demand continued to increase, resort operators launched a major expansion that included a new gondola lift, additional ski slopes, expanded snowmaking systems, improved lighting, and three new transportation crossings. Rather than relying on conventional bridge construction, the project team selected structural plate tunnels that could be installed quickly while minimizing disruption to resort operations and the surrounding mountain environment.
Supporting a Major Resort Expansion
The expansion required new crossings capable of carrying ski trails, service roads, and resort infrastructure while allowing safe passage beneath.
ViaCon Sweden designed and supplied three structural plate tunnel systems tailored to the unique requirements of each crossing. Although each structure differed in size and configuration, all were engineered to provide long-term durability while supporting the resort’s expanding recreational facilities.
Projects involving recreational transportation infrastructure increasingly benefit from structural plate systems because they offer flexibility, rapid installation, and minimal environmental disturbance. Engineers can learn more through NCSPA’s Technical Resources and Design Data Sheets.
Three Custom Tunnel Structures
Each of the three tunnels was designed for a specific location within the resort.
The largest structure featured an 85.4-foot bottom length and required more than 14,600 bolts during assembly. Two additional structural plate tunnels measured approximately 56.5 feet and 78 feet in bottom length, providing customized solutions for different portions of the expansion while maintaining consistent structural performance.
Despite their size, the structures were assembled rapidly, with installation periods ranging from just 17 to 28 days. This accelerated schedule helped keep the overall resort expansion on track.
Owners comparing construction alternatives can evaluate similar projects using NCSPA’s Least Cost Calculator.
Built for Recreation and the Environment
Mountain construction presents unique challenges.
Projects must balance visitor access, environmental stewardship, and construction efficiency, often within short seasonal work windows. Structural plate systems provide an effective solution because they require less site disruption than many conventional bridge alternatives while delivering excellent long-term durability.
This same philosophy of blending infrastructure with the surrounding landscape can also be seen in the Holland Creek Crossing, where a buried bridge preserved a natural stream corridor, and the Wind Farm Access Roads Project, where buried structures minimized environmental impacts while improving access.
Expanding Recreation for Future Generations
The completed expansion allows Idre Fjäll to welcome more visitors while providing improved access throughout the resort.
By utilizing structural plate tunnels, the project team delivered durable infrastructure that supports skiing, hiking, and year-round recreation while preserving the mountain setting that attracts visitors in the first place.
More information about the resort is available from the official Idre Fjäll website.