New Umbrella Brand “Bergbahnen Dachstein Salzkammergut” Presented
Forward-looking, strategic realignment of the region, the brand and the offering around the Dachstein
It is the 365 degree mountain experience that the Upper Austrian communities around the Dachstein are strategically developing together with the Salzburg communities. From family-friendly winter sports to activities for recreational athletes, there is a wide range of offerings for guests from near and far. A new umbrella brand was developed for the perfect advertising presence: the Bergbahnen Dachstein Salzkammergut. Global challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers, inflation or climate change are being mastered well in the company. With 90 percent snow security - also thanks to sustainable snowmaking options - nothing stands in the way of a successful winter season.
Before the 2023/2024 winter season starts on December 8, 2023, the past summer season makes those responsible look very positively into the future. The Bergbahnen Dachstein Salzkammergut recorded 500,000 guests - national but also international - in the summer of 2023. “We see that the enthusiasm for our region and especially for our nature with the center, the Dachstein, is almost unbroken. We were able to look after these flows of visitors well in the hotel industry, restaurants or other infrastructure businesses as well as in the mountain railways. We are happy that we can live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and that others can visit us here,” reports Rupert Schiefer, board member and managing director of Bergbahnen Dachstein Salzkammergut at the press conference in Linz.
There is a breathtaking World Heritage region around the Dachstein. International guests in particular from Asia such as China or India as well as from the Arab world come here. “The unique combination of nature and culture is the best advertising for us. This attracts international tourists. “But guests from Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands also come to us, but they have other interests,” says Schiefer. Particular highlights are the “Himmelsleiter” on the Gosaukamm for climbers, the summer toboggan run and the treetop path on the Grünberg, the “5fingers” as well as the Mammoth Cave or the Dachstein Giant Ice Cave on the Dachstein Krippenstein or the extensive network of hiking trails on the Feuerkogel, in Dachstein West with Gosau, Rußbach and Annaberg. Bruno's mountain world in Rußbach is particularly popular with families. The diverse offering of the Dachstein Salzkammergut mountain railways on Grünberg and Dachstein Krippenstein confirmed the awards as the best Austrian summer mountain railways as two of three mountain railways in Upper Austria.
Joining forces with a new umbrella brand: Bergbahnen Dachstein Salzkammergut
In order to promote this diverse offering, culture, nature and cuisine even more attractively for guests and to score points internationally, those responsible have founded a new umbrella brand. All companies can now be found under “Bergbahnen Dachstein Salzkammergut”, including the OÖ Seilbahnholding with Feuerkogel, Krippenstein, Dachstein West and Grünberg and the Bergbahnen Dachstein West GmbH with Rußbach and Annaberg. “We have created something very important: our offer is unique in Austria and also internationally. Our landscape with its mountains and lakes, a variety of sports and exercise activities and a perfect infrastructure naturally set us apart from the self-proclaimed “Hollywood destinations”. And above all, it is the employees, colleagues, partners and locals who represent the region,” says Schiefer about the new, modern and connecting market presence. The philosophy of the region's naturalness, the gentle side of the Dachstein and the hospitality of the people are reflected in the new appearance and the remaining independence of the destinations. The unique, cross-border tourism cooperation “Dachstein West – Naturally in the Salzkammergut”, founded last year by the communities of Gosau, Obertraun, Hallstatt, Bad Goisern, Russbach, Annaberg, St. Martin and Abtenau, is also inspiring even more holidaymakers for the region.
Affordable winter sports in a family-friendly region around the Dachstein
The annual discussion about ski ticket prices has broken out. While the costs in almost all of Austria rose to over 70 euros for a day ticket, in the Dachstein West ski area it costs 59.50 euros (online price). “We are trying to only moderately increase the price of our day ticket despite inflation, our additional costs in energy prices and much more. Nevertheless, the affordability of winter sports is a question of value,” says the Bergbahnen Dachstein Salzkammergut boss. With the season ticket, which is sold in advance until October 31, 2023 in the Dachstein plus Club, costs 499 euros (+ 5% compared to the previous year) and 525 euros until December 6th, with happy hour tickets or with the course 365 days ticket for 599 The region offers numerous attractive offers for recreational athletes, families, seniors and sports fans from the region. “Our highlight is the Natural 365 Day Ticket. This means that if you use it daily for a year, it could cost the equivalent of 1.60 euros per day. “Our extended opening hours in summer until 7 p.m. and a disproportionately good summer-winter ratio make this offer a must-have for Dachstein-Salzkammergut lovers,” says Schiefer, delighted about this new offer for the region.
For the coming winter season, the region will also score points as the largest ski area in Upper Austria with 160 kilometers of slopes. A new live function has also been available on the dachstein.at website since the beginning of October: all freely available rooms from around 350 partners from the hotel industry can be displayed with just one click. The entire winter holiday - from rooms to ski tickets - can be booked on one website.
The challenge of climate change
Until last week temperatures were around 30 degrees – and that in October. Ski areas are well advised to position themselves on several pillars. In order to make a start to the season possible at the beginning of December 2023, the Bergbahnen Dachstein Salzkammergut is relying on long-term investments in sustainable snowmaking systems and conditions. “We have a 90 percent guarantee of snow around the Dachstein. With our new storage ponds, “Angeralm” and “Franzlalm” - pioneering milestone projects, or the new pumping station and new snow cannons, we have invested millions in recent years. For us, these sustainable and large investments are also a factor that plays a role in the pricing of our tickets,” says Schiefer and adds: “If we want to pass on the cultural heritage of winter sports to future generations, skiing and snowmaking cannot be separated. In addition to classic winter sports, skiing and snowboarding, the region around the Dachstein offers touring, snowshoeing, winter hiking, ice skating and tobogganing. Investments were not only made in snowmaking measures, but also in the further development of offers such as in the Family Park in Dachstein West.
Bergbahnen Dachstein Salzkammergut scores as an attractive employer
Around 300 employees are employed by the company. You work as a cable car operator, snow groomer driver, cashier or office clerk and in the future also in the catering industry. Nine apprentices are currently being trained in two professional areas – cable car technology and office clerk. In order to enrich the value chain even further, the Bergbahnen Dachstein Salzkammergut company entered the catering industry. “We are currently taking the first step and taking over two restaurants on Krippenstein. The menu includes a wide range of contemporary nutritional and lifestyle trends, from traditional to international, depending on the guests' preferences. For us, the cuisine is an essential part of the mountain experience and should not be missing from the overall offering,” concludes Rupert Schiefer. One of the company's benefits for its employees is modern, friendly staff apartments. These are made available in three houses and one apartment to those who do not live in the area and work for the Bergbahnen Dachstein Salzkammergut.
More at: www.bbds.at
