At the end of the Lagalb season, a good 250 regular guests came to the mountain on Sunday despite bad weather. Engadin St. Moritz Mountains AG had invited locals and guests to say farewell to long-standing employees and to welcome the initiators of the new Lagalb AG. Some of the employees had worked on the mountain for over 40 winters.
“These employees represent the history of Lagalb and its promoters since 1963,” said managing director Markus Meili at the farewell. “For decades, they have worked for the railways and their guests. We thank them for their long-standing loyalty and pay tribute to them, all former employees and the numerous sponsors and followers of Lagalb.”
The two entrepreneurs George Walliser and Rainer Good were also there and promoted their new Lagalb AG. They are currently working on bringing together share capital and operational support commitments for the new joint stock company, which will take over and operate Lagalb.
“Today alone, shares worth over 100,000 francs were subscribed,” said a satisfied George Walliser on Sunday evening. “We are grateful for any support!”
On Monday, the two initiators will discuss the new company's strategy with experts from various fields. “At the end of next week, we will be able to say more about our intentions,” announced Rainer Good.
On July 1, they want to announce whether the new company will be founded and whether Lagalb will continue to operate from next winter. Engadin St. Moritz Mountains AG welcomes and supports the initiators of a new company, provided that it does not create any new deficiencies on their part. Should the initiative fail, the railway will no longer operate.
Portraits of two long-time Lagalb employees
Sergio Langfranchi
Sergio Langfranchi is one of the “old hands” in the mountain railway business. In 1971, just eight years after the Lagalbbahn was put into operation in 1963, he began working on Lagalb and experienced a lot of things: company mergers with five different directors, successful rescue operations and unfortunately also accidents resulting in death shaped the work of the dedicated SOS employee.
The best “Lagalb experience” Sergio remembers is about a guest who sent a letter thanking the SOS team for their professional rescue and support following his accident.
After more than 45 years at Lagalb, Sergio is going into well-earned retirement. Yesterday Sunday, he spent his last working day on the mountain, which he describes as “his home.” Sergio wants things to continue with Lagalb and hopes that shareholders will commit themselves to Lagalb as he has done over the last 45 years.
Gianni Compagnoni
Gianni Compagnoni has been working at Lagalb every winter for 24 seasons. Now working in the SOS sector, he used to prepare slopes, operate the old cabin as a conductor and thus ensured the functioning of snow sports operations on Lagalb as an all-rounder.
Gianni, who runs a farm in Poschiavo in summer, likes to remember “his mountain”, on which it snowed a total of around 21 meters in the 2002 winter season. He would like Lagalb to remain as a ski mountain and could also imagine meeting mountain bikers on the mountain in the future.
Yesterday Sunday, he raved that working with colleagues was always “great” and that he was able to enjoy real teamwork at Lagalb. He now hopes that the idea of solidarity among shareholders will also help maintain Lagalb.
Portraits: Silvia Talabér, Engadin St. Moritz Mountains