Gastein Liftco’ Consistently Pursues Path Of Sustainability
Just in time for the start of the new ski season, the Gasteiner Bergbahnen's latest sustainability project goes into operation: The Schlossalm Talstation solar park represents another milestone on the path to energy independence and future-proof skiing fun. The groundbreaking has just taken place. In addition, new building-integrated solar panels are available for energy generation. When it comes to a sustainable journey to the ski area, Bad Gastein enjoys an absolute unique selling point with its train station in the immediate vicinity of the Stubnerkogelbahn. But the Gasteiner Bergbahnen also demonstrate world-class expertise when it comes to the so-called “last mile”: In order to be able to move sustainably within the Gastein Valley, the e-car sharing offer and the e-charging infrastructure are being expanded.
With around 120 year-round and up to 130 seasonal workers, Gasteiner Bergbahnen AG, based in Bad Hofgastein, is one of the largest employers in Gastein and one of the largest cable car companies in Austria. The core business of Gasteiner Bergbahnen AG is the two-season operation of 25 cable cars and lifts and 124 kilometers of slopes in Bad Hofgastein, Bad Gastein and Sportgastein in winter and the 3 summer mountains Schlossalm, Stubnerkogel and Graukogel in summer. Gasteiner Bergbahnen AG is part of Ski amadé, the largest ski association in Austria.
The traditional company, created in 1979 from a merger of the former mountain railway companies from Bad Hofgastein and Bad Gastein, stands for the highest quality and safety standards in order to transport up to 15,000 visitors to the peaks and slopes of the Gastein Valley every day. Modern lift systems, innovative technologies and the greatest possible comfort have ensured particularly pleasant skiing pleasure since the company was founded. In order to be able to meet these standards in the long term, the cable car company attaches great importance to constant quality control, forward-looking planning and crisis prevention.
“Solar trees” at the Schlossalm valley station
There are very special trees that will be “planted” in the Schlossalmbahn parking lot over the next two months: The solar park designed by the Innerhofer or Innerhofer architectural firm consists of 15 different sized, slanted solar trees, which, in addition to their functionality, also represent a visual highlight. Each tree consists of twelve panels that produce 6.72 kilowatt peaks. In total, a total output of around 100 kilowatt peak is generated. The solar trees do not take up any additional green space, but are integrated into the existing parking lot. At the same time, no parking spaces are lost and the parking areas also benefit from partial shading from the solar panels. The module surfaces are aligned at an angle of 60 degrees, so that the snow can fall onto the green areas of the parking lot in winter and the safety of the cars is guaranteed. The planned planting of the “trunks” creates an organic overall picture. As an important supporter of the Schlossalm solar park pilot project, the municipality of Bad Hofgastein is on board as a partner.
Efficient use of space for photovoltaics and solar thermal energy
The topic of solar energy is a flagship project of the Gasteiner Bergbahnen. Many gears mesh together to make great strides towards the goal of climate-neutral ski operations. The use of roof areas to generate energy plays a major role in the overall concept. The Schlossalm valley and middle station as well as the Stubnerkogel valley station are already equipped with systems for photovoltaics and solar thermal energy. Bad Hofgastein, October 5, 2023. Further modules are currently under construction at the mountain station of the Weitmoser lift, the Hohe Scharte valley station and on the roofs of the Aeroplan pumping stations. Together with the Schlossalm solar park, this results in a total output of over 600 kilowatt peak. This means an impressive increase in performance of 360 percent compared to the previous year alone.
E-mobility in the fast lane
In parallel with the expansion of the use of solar energy, the development of e-mobility is also being pushed forward. The largest share of CO2 emissions on a ski holiday is caused by the journey and here it is particularly the “last mile” that often causes problems. Anyone who comes to Bad Gastein by train can, thanks to the train station's privileged location, set off for skiing fun directly from the adjacent Stubnerkogelbahn - “train in – ski out” at its best. Since the 2022/23 winter season, all other Gasteiner Bergbahnen offers have also been conveniently accessible in a sustainable manner: Six electric cars can be rented easily and flexibly by locals and guests, and Skigastein also has one of the largest electric charging infrastructures in Salzburg. With the solar park project, the ten existing charging points at the Schlossalm car park will be expanded to include 20 charging stations, each with a 22 kilowatt peak. These are publicly accessible and are realized in cooperation with Salzburg AG. There are six e-charging stations available in Sportgastein - one of the highest in the entire Salzburg region - and three charging points in the Angertal area. E-bike enthusiasts will find three charging stations at the valley and mountain stations of the Stubnerkogelbahn. 100 percent green electricity is used. “We want to create the necessary infrastructure to offer guests and locals alike easy and convenient access to sustainable mobility in the Gastein Valley. Our experience shows us that the offer is very well received,” says board member Andreas Innerhofer.
An overview of Gasteiner Bergbahnen AG’s sustainability projects
As a company, the Gasteiner Bergbahnen are aware of their responsibility for the Gastein mountains and are continually taking steps to provide visitors with a sustainable mountain experience for generations. In order to conserve resources without having to compromise on the quality of the slopes, the Gasteiner Bergbahnen rely on efficient snow management. When making snow, data-supported snow height measurements and snow fences are used to produce and hold snow with pinpoint accuracy. The transport capacity of the cable cars is also specifically regulated and based on the flow of people in order to avoid energy losses. And in the summer, measures are taken in the areas of forest care, reforestation and soil activation in collaboration with partners in agriculture and forestry. The energy the ski area uses already comes exclusively from renewable sources. In addition to the 100% certified green electricity that the Gasteiner Bergbahnen obtains from Salzburg AG and the E-Werk Bad Hofgastein, the lift company is increasingly producing its own electricity.
