Luftseilbahn Schwägalp–Säntis, Aerial lift in Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Switzerland.

The Luftseilbahn Schwägalp–Säntis is an aerial cable car running from the valley station on the Schwägalp at 1,350.50 m to the summit station on the Säntis at 2,472.98 m, a height difference of 1,122.48 m covered in 10 minutes. The line is 2,307 m long. Its green cabins with white stripes and rows of windows hang from a tapered lattice suspension arm on thick cables; the snow- and ice-coated summit station carries a red-and-white banded antenna mast.

Built between 1933 and 1935 by Bleichert Transportanlagen of Leipzig after plans for a rack railway from Wasserauen failed, the cable car spans 2,307 metres and overcomes 1,123 metres of height. Larger cabins replaced the originals in 1960, the line was completely rebuilt between 1968 and 1976, and new cabins arrived in 2000. An avalanche damaged the lowest support in January 2019, closing the line until 29 May 2019.

The Säntisbahn is operated by Säntis-Schwebebahn AG, which also runs the Hotel Säntis on the Schwägalp. The 2015 hotel was hit by an avalanche on 10 January 2019, though the site had been considered avalanche-safe. The company recorded a turnover of 17.3 million CHF in 2020.

The valley station on the Schwägalp sits at 1,350.5 m, reached by a branch road off the Urnäsch–Neu St. Johann cantonal road just north of the pass, and by PostBus from Urnäsch and Nesslau. The 2,307 m ride to the summit station at 2,472.98 m takes 10 minutes. The line is closed from May to October 2026 for a complete rebuild.

The 2026 rebuild replaces the two pylons with a single one, and the old lift already carried concrete for its foundation in 2025. The new cabins hold 85 passengers, are detachable in strong wind, and the single pylon gets a hydraulically folding platform for alpine exits.