Schmittenhohe: New For The 2024/25 Winter Season
Since Zell's local mountain was opened up by the Schmittenhöhebahn almost 100 years ago, hikers, nature lovers, skiers and sun worshippers have been able to enjoy the breathtaking panorama in a comfortable way. In order to make this view even more impressive, Schmittenhöhebahn AG, known for innovative projects and the highest quality standards, expanded its offering with the new "Kaiserblick" panorama platform , a spectacular structure: a partially glass-bottomed walkway extends 60 meters over the south side of the mountain edge and at the end offers a spacious platform with telescopes, viscopes and a photo point for the perfect souvenir photos. The view of the more than 30 three-thousand-meter peaks in the region is particularly impressive, as is the view of Lake Zell, which lies far below the walkway.
The neighboring Berghotel Schmittenhöhe is celebrating “150 years of overnight accommodation on the mountain” this year. Guests here are the first to enjoy the freshly groomed slopes (“First Tracks”) every day and can experience culinary highlights in winter such as the Genussalm restaurant with sun terrace, the market restaurant or the legendary Schnaps Hans bar.
New ski depot at the areitXpress valley station
With the rental service network, Bründl Sports offers a total of 15 shops in Zell am See, Kaprun and Saalbach for ski rental, equipment exchange, ski service, ski depots and returns. The network includes 10,500 pairs of skis and 8,500 pairs of ski boots, which are completely renewed after each season. From the 2024/25 season, Bründl is expanding its service network with an enlarged ski depot directly connected to the Bründl Sports store at the valley station of the areitXpress, guaranteeing visitors more comfort for an even more convenient journey. Ski equipment can be left on site in the practical box depot, which on the one hand makes loading the car unnecessary, but above all makes the environmentally friendly journey by ski bus even more attractive. From the slopes, the route leads directly from the downhill area with two spacious elevators to the new ski depot. Guests can look forward to maximum comfort thanks to short distances. This makes starting the day of skiing a pleasure - stress-free and convenient.
Sustainability & Innovation: Winter sports with a clear conscience
With its comprehensive commitment to energy efficiency and resource conservation as well as the goal of becoming the first climate-neutral tourism region in the Alps, the Schmittenhöhe has been considered a climate and energy model region (KEM region) since 2021. Schmittenhöhebahn AG is the only cable car company in Europe to date to be EMAS-certified. EMAS (Eco Management and Audit Scheme) stands for the European Union's environmental management seal of approval and honors the use of photovoltaic systems on 14 station buildings. The system is currently the largest building-integrated photovoltaic system in Austria and enables every fourth ascent of the cityXpress to be powered by pure solar energy.
In addition, since 2011, an expert ecological advisory board has been supporting the Schmittenhöhebahn AG team in relevant decisions and advising on the ongoing development of new goals and corresponding measures to ensure sustainable operations.
A further step towards social responsibility is the new employee house of Schmittenhöhebahn AG, which was completed in August 2024. With 33 residential units, it offers employees a modern and comfortable "temporary home" during the high season. The facilities include a common room with a shared kitchen, a fitness area, a seminar room and a green roof garden with shady areas. When building the new accommodations, attention was paid in the tried and tested manner to energy efficiency, ecological quality and the highest level of living comfort so that they contribute significantly to the well-being of the employees. Schmittenhöhebahn AG has submitted the new building to the Austrian Climate Protection Ministry for the purpose of receiving the "klimaaktiv Gold" seal of quality.
