Carinthian Lift Co's Ready For Winter

The first snowflakes have already fallen from the sky, but in many places there is still not enough time to put on your skis. Except at the Mölltal Glacier: The snowmaking systems have been running there since last weekend and the operators are hoping that ski operations will open in the middle of next week due to the new snow forecast and the announced sub-zero temperatures. The facilities are also being put in place in all other Carinthian ski areas in order to create perfect conditions for a successful ski winter from the beginning of December. “There is a very positive atmosphere in the industry. We are particularly pleased that the demand for winter holidays and skiing remains high,” explained Manuel Kapeller-Hopfgartner, chairman of the Carinthian cable car specialist group, at today’s press conference. The cable cars are the number one driving force for Carinthian winter tourism and bring numerous added value effects for other industries. “We are aware of this situation and take our task very seriously,” said Kapeller-Hopfgartner.

Summer mountain railways transported 1.1 million guests

While preparations for the winter season are already in full swing in most ski areas, seven mountain railways invite you to have mountain fun until the end of the autumn holidays. In Bad Kleinkirchheim, on the Gerlitzen Alpe and on the Turracher Höhe, the summer season lasts until November 1st, 2023. Also the mountain destinations Katschberg (until October 31st), Ankogel and Nassfeld (until October 29th) and Weissensee (until October 26th ) and Mölltal Glacier (continuous until May 2024) invite you to an alpine mountain experience at lofty heights. With 187 days of operation in the summer, the 14 Carinthian summer mountain railways are an essential pillar of summer tourism in the country. “We can look back on a very enjoyable summer in 2023, in which we were able to welcome 1.1 million guests to our summer mountains. “We satisfy the ever-increasing longing for the mountains, even in the early and late season, which is so important for the tourist region of Carinthia,” said Stefanie Hopfgartner, commercial manager of Bergbahnen Goldeck and deputy regional spokesperson for the “Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways” initiative, summing up the summer positively. A major challenge in July and August was the weather extremes, which sometimes led to short-term cancellations. “For us as an industry, summer operations are becoming more and more important thanks to attractive, specialized offers. However, summer is only conceivable on the basis of successful winter operations. Because winter is and remains our core business, to which we cannot devote enough energy and attention. After all, we generate 80 to 90 percent of our sales in winter. What makes us particularly proud: The mountain railways have put the topic of year-round tourism into practice," said Kapeller-Hopfgartner, underlining the importance of winter.

30 million for the winter season

Despite the current challenges caused by inflation and energy costs, the Carinthian cable car companies have continued to develop and improve their products and services. A total of 30 million euros were invested for the coming winter season, primarily in the areas of comfort, sustainability and efficiency. “Every entrepreneur who invests in times like these sets positive accents for the Carinthian economy and Carinthian tourism,” said division chairman Kapeller-Hopfgartner. The Turracher Höhe is a pioneer with the new Wildkopfbahn, a state-of-the-art 6-seater chairlift with weather protection hood and seat heating costing 9 million euros. At Nassfeld, over 7 million euros were invested in a new storage pond including cooling systems, but also in the snowmaking infrastructure, energy efficiency measures and new snow groomers.

On the Gerlitzen Alpe, where the smartphone becomes a ski ticket, a new, three-story parking deck with 188 additional parking spaces will go into operation in the next few weeks directly at the valley station of the Kanzelbahn. In Bad Kleinkirchheim, a new drag lift system was built in the largest practice area in the ski area, and the lift platforms were renewed and expanded. Investments were made in the snowmaking system, in the fleet of snow groomers and in sustainability measures. At Katschberg, too, significant investments were made in the expansion of the energy-efficient snowmaking system and in quality improvements in the piste area. Not to forget the numerous investments in the tourist “local providers” such as Dreiländereck, Goldeck, Koralm, Hochrindl, Klippitztörl and Bodental – these amounted to 3 million euros.

Moderate pricing

The prices were only increased moderately. “It is very important to us that skiing remains affordable. We also offer winter sports fans a great range of activities off the slopes, ensuring unforgettable experiences. This certain something sets us apart and makes Carinthia a unique alpine ski destination. The top ski pass is particularly popular and costs less than 700 euros when purchased in advance for adults. The ski areas particularly score points with their attractive family offerings, which are very much appreciated,” explained Kapeller-Hopfgartner.

There is a great desire to ski

The rush for the top ski pass shows that there is already a great desire to ski. Hansjörg Pflauder, one of the new managing directors of Kärntner Skipass Vertriebs- und Marketing GmbH and board member of Bad Kleinkirchheimer Bergbahnen AG: “Advance sales for the use of over 800 kilometers of slopes in 30 ski areas in Carinthia and East Tyrol are going very well. There are attractive pre-sale offers until December 9, 2023.”

Offers for Carinthian schools

The “Adventure Week in the Snow” awakens the fun of skiing even among the youngest Carinthians. The offer of the Carinthian cable cars to schools and students was also announced this year. This means that children and young people can race down the slopes again at a reasonable price:

Adventure day in the snow for primary schools:

• One-day between January 15th and 19th, 2024
• Free day ticket
• Registration runs until December 12, 2023
• 3-day package for elementary schools for 18 euros

Winter sports week for secondary levels I and II (NMS, PTS, ASO, AHS, BMHS, BS

• at least five consecutive days with overnight stays in one
• Away accommodation in Carinthia is connected for five days 50 euros
• Free school ski day in selected ski areas on December 13, 2023

As far as the shortage of skilled workers is concerned, the Carinthian cable car industry is also affected, but not as badly as others. “We are a very attractive employer and offer 1,5000 jobs in winter alone. We are also the basis for a further 7,000 jobs in the hotel, catering and retail sectors. We have also started an apprenticeship offensive. It is possible to complete a double apprenticeship as a cable car technician and electrician. There is a lot of interest,” said the division chairman.

In order to continue to generate the added value of the cable cars amounting to 210 million euros, it will also be necessary to work closely with politicians and the most important stakeholders in the future. “This is the only way we can maintain this status quo and further strengthen Carinthian tourism overall in its national and international competitiveness,” emphasized Kapeller-Hopfgartner in conclusion.