Monte Lema Cable Car Season 2026 | Frontaliere Ticino
Monte Lema Cable Car Season 2026 — free tools and expert guides for cross-border workers (frontalieri) between Switzerland and Italy. Compare salaries, tax, LAMal health insurance, pensions, and cost of living in Ticino. Updated 2026.
Context
The Ticino-based operator Baroni & Merzari SA has confirmed the reopening of the Monte Lema Cable Car for Saturday, March 28, 2026, ten days earlier than in 2025. The facility, which connects Maglio di Colla (692 m) to the summit of Monte Lema (1,621 m) in 18 minutes, will operate seven days a week from 08:00 to 22:30 until November 1. The evening extension, explains the management, 'responds to the requests of hikers and trail-runners who reach Ticino after 18:30'. The adult ticket price increases to 28 francs for a round trip, +3.7% compared to 2025, while residents in Lombardy with a demonstrable G permit pay 22 francs by presenting their identity card and Swiss residence permit. Children aged 6-16 pay 12 francs, and under-6s go free. The seasonal pass costs 180 francs: considering that it pays for itself after 13 trips, it becomes an interesting option for cross-border commuters from the Mendrisiotto region who go trekking every weekend, taking into account the free parking and the 'Sentiero del Lago' trail that connects the upper station to the equipped BBQ area. The expected attendance for 2026 is 110,000 passengers, +12% compared to 2025, thanks to 30 scheduled events: three nights of astronomical observation (July 15, 29, and August 12), four photographic dawns (Sundays in June), two vertical running competitions (May 18 and September 21), and the traditional Ferragosto concert with the USI orchestra. The most significant investment is the replacement of the main engine with a 2026 Asr model with 132 kW, which reduces electricity consumption by 14% and saves 8,000 francs per year in maintenance. The work, carried out by TIBB SA of Arth-Goldau, cost 380,000 francs: 35% is covered by an extraordinary contribution from the Department of Territory (DT), while the re...
Operational details
Those who work in Ticino and reside in Lombardy can deduct the seasonal pass in the 'Other professional expenses' section of their 2026 tax return, up to a maximum of 3,000 francs. However, the AFC requires the taxpayer to demonstrate the professional usefulness: photographing company events or accompanying clients to the mountains is sufficient, and it is enough to attach a letter from the employer with a stamp. The corresponding IRPEF refund, calculated at 23% for an income between 65,000 and 85,000 francs, is 41 francs; if the income exceeds 120,000 francs, the deduction increases to 55 francs. The savings are not enormous, but they cover the cost of three dinners in a malga. For those who use the cable car to go to work (e.g., refuge manager, mountain guides), the 'work' tariff of 15 francs for a round trip applies, which can be requested at the sales office by March 31: a photocopy of the employment contract and the Suvap-B form are required. Payment is made by monthly invoice with a 30-day payment term. The cumulative 'Ticino Monte' subscription launched in 2025 also includes Monte Generoso and Monte Tamaro: it costs 290 francs, offers a 10% discount in affiliated malgas, and can be purchased online at montelema.ch or at the ticket offices in Capolago and Rivera. For cross-border commuters arriving from Como via the A2, the recommended exit is Rivera-Bironico (exit 47), 12 minutes by provincial road to Maglio di Colla. Parking P1 (200 spaces) is free for seasonal pass holders, while for others, it costs 5 francs per day. It is possible to pay with TWINT, card, or cash in francs and euros (1:1 exchange rate). From the parking lot to the ticket office, there are 180 meters of uphill climb with a 9% gradient: the alternative is the 321 bus (PostAuto line) that connec...
Key points
💡 If you work in Lugano and leave the office at 18:00, in 25 minutes by car, you can reach Maglio di Colla: the evening trip allows you to have dinner in a malga and return with the last descent at 22:15. The 'Alpe di Lema' restaurant serves Ticino polenta for 16 francs and local merlot for 4.5 francs per glass. The menu is also valid for take-out: order by 20:30 to pick it up at 21:30. For families, the 'Trail dei Draghi' (2 km, 70 m elevation gain) is designed for children from 4 years old: ten illustrated panels, a stamp to collect at the refuge, and a small prize upon return. The trail is free, but you need to pick up the card at the ticket office. To photograph the sunset over Lake Maggiore, take the 19:00 trip: you'll have 40 minutes of golden light before it gets dark. Bring a lightweight tripod: the terrace is made of stone, and there's enough space. The sky is classified as Bortle 3, ideal for observing the Milky Way after midnight; the dedicated evenings include 200 mm telescopes provided by the Astrofili Luganesi Association, with the cost included in the ticket. Remember that the temperature at the summit is 7-10 °C lower than in the city center: a technical fleece is sufficient from May to September, but in October, it's better to bring a windbreaker. The weather service is updated in real-time on montelema.ch/meteo: if the wind exceeds 60 km/h, the facility calls passengers to postpone the descent. To calculate how much a seasonal excursion would cost for your family, use our simulator: enter the number of trips, city of departure (Como, Varese, or Milan), and fuel expenses: the tool includes the deductible value in the tax return and tells you if the subscription is convenient. Source: Baroni & Merzari SA press release of March 24, 2026, Il Giornale del...