Bergbahn AG Kitzbuhel: 2022/23 Was Highest-Revenue Financial Year In The Company's History

s part of the annual press conference, the two board members, Anton Bodner and Christian Wörister, presented the results of the 2022/23 financial year and provided an insight into the company's ongoing business activities and future plans. "The 2022/23 financial year was very successful and, with an operating performance of more than 60 million euros, the highest turnover in the history of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel," explains Dr. Klaus Winkler, Mayor and Chairman of the Supervisory Board. The increase compared to the previous year was around 17 percent.

Despite the difficult economic and political conditions and the great uncertainty regarding a possible change in guest behavior, a profit after tax of 1.4 million euros was achieved. Operating income reached a historic high of 60.61 million euros, cash flow from ordinary results was 15.3 million euros and net cash flow from operating activities was a remarkable 20.04 million euros.

The good result was achieved in an extremely difficult environment (war in Ukraine, ...) with extremely increased electricity and fuel costs, high inflation, delivery problems and staff shortages.

"We are proud and very grateful that we were able to implement the second largest investment volume in the company's history in the last financial year with 29 million euros. The most important projects included the construction of the two 6-seater chairlifts Trattenbach and Gauxjoch, the construction of the "Alte Kaser" snowmaking system and the expansion of the bike offering with the Sonnenrast Trails and the Streiteck Family Park. It goes without saying that all investments must not only be of first-class quality but also meet our strict ecological, economic and social criteria - in the sense of holistically understood sustainability," reports Mag. Anton Bodner, CEO of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel.

Successful winter season 2023/24

Last winter 2023/24 brought good results despite difficult meteorological conditions, including the warmest February in recorded history.

It is particularly pleasing that new records were achieved for both season ticket sales and day tickets. More tickets were sold this year than ever before in these two customer segments, which underlines the attractiveness of the ski area for day visitors and in the region. The ski area tests were also successful again. KitzSki was named "World's Best Ski Area 2024" by Skiresort.de, the world's largest test portal for ski areas.

Outlook for summer 2024

"While we want to maintain the high level in winter, in summer we will invest more in the ecological and sustainable expansion of the bike and hiking infrastructure. This includes, among other things, the construction of the Flow Trail on the Fleckalm," explains Mag. Christian Wörister, CEO of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel. The new offer of the Sonnenrast Trails, built in summer 2023 together with the Kitzbühel and Kirchberg tourism associations, has already been extremely well received: ticket sales and bike ticket sales have tripled in the last three years. The ongoing expansion of the 360-degree Flow Trails will create a family-friendly and varied offer for all target groups. The newly planned Flow Trail on the Fleckalm with a length of 10 kilometers will only have a maximum gradient of 10 percent. Perfect for all beginners and those who also want to enjoy the wonderful panorama while downhilling. Final discussions with the landowners and the authorities are currently underway. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2024 and be completed in spring 2025.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the Alpine Flower Garden on the Kitzbüheler Horn, it is being completely renovated. The Alpine Flower Garden will celebrate its anniversary on July 21, 2024. Around 400 species of flowers now grow at an altitude of 1,800 to 1,900 meters, which have been lovingly cared for for decades by members of the Hofer family and cable car employees.

KitzSki future projects

In addition to the new staff house, three other major projects are the focus of intensive considerations and planning work: the Sonnenrast reservoir, the Fleckalm garage and the subsequent use of the old Fleckalm mountain station.

Sonnenrast reservoir

The Sonnenrast reservoir is a project that will last for decades. Located in the heart of the ski area, it will play a key role in the future snowmaking solution and snow security at KitzSki. It will have a capacity of around 85,000 m³ and will be equipped with the latest, resource-saving technology. The aim is to submit the project for water rights approval this year.

Reuse of the old Fleckalm mountain station

An idea process for the subsequent use of the building was started last summer. The next steps are planning drafts by architects, a feasibility study and a profitability calculation for the possible usage concepts. The new spot is to be used as a year-round excursion destination and as a bad weather offer and is to be a pioneering project for year-round tourism in the region.

Project Fleckalm Garage

Due to the need for renovation at the Fleckalm Garage, it was decided to combine the new construction with a tourist offer. The supervisory board has decided to publicly tender the "construction of a parking garage combined with tourist infrastructure (hotel) at the Fleckalmbahn" in the form of a tendering process. The subject is the planning, construction, financing and operation of this project. At least 1,300 parking spaces are to be created as well as a hotel with a maximum bed capacity of 250 beds. The process has been running since the end of March this year.

Groundbreaking ceremony for the Hahnenkamm staff and office building

On June 20, 2024, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hahnenkamm staff and office building took place in the presence of representatives of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel, the architects and the company Bodner Bau. The new building will be built according to the plans of the P3 architectural group northwest of the administration building of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel. The two parts of the building will house 60 apartments (50 small, 10 larger), an office area of ​​215 m2 as well as 60 underground parking spaces and 20 parking deck spaces. A PV system will be installed on the roof. Heating and cooling will be sustainable using underground storage and deep drilling with a heat pump. The total cost is around 13.8 million euros. The underground car park will be completed by the end of 2024 and the staff building in 2025.