Hauser Kaibling Gets Styria’s Most Powerful Chairlift From Leitner

From the 2024/25 winter season, winter sports enthusiasts will have access to Styria's most powerful chairlift on Hauser Kaibling, the highest mountain in the Schladming 4-mountain ski area. With a capacity of 3,600 people per hour, it will take guests to the transmitter plateau at 1,870 meters in just 4.5 minutes.

Construction work will start with the ceremonial groundbreaking today, Thursday, June 13, 2024. The predecessor, a 4-seater chairlift - called "Quattra" by many - was successfully dismantled in May after just over three decades in use. Despite all the anticipation, there is also a sense of sadness at parting. "Moments like the first ride in 1992 or the winter of 2009/10, when the Quattralpina achieved more than a million mountain rides for the first time, will be fondly remembered," says Managing Director and shareholder Dr. Maximilian Sampl. In total, the Quattralpina, one of the most popular cable cars in the region, has transported 27.4 million guests to the Hauser Kaibling transmitter plateau in the past 32 years.

New lucky numbers for the pleasure mountain in Ski amadé

"Now it's time," agree Managing Directors Klaus Hofstätter and Maximilian Sampl, and promise even more skiing fun in the future: "The numbers speak for themselves: With a transport capacity of 3,600 people per hour, an average main motor continuous output of 704 kW and a travel speed of 6 meters per second, the Kaiblinggrat 8-seater chairlift can boast the title of "the strongest chairlift in Styria". Waiting times are therefore a thing of the past."

The Kaiblinggrat cable car, which is an important part of the tourist offer all year round, guarantees efficient, safe and comfortable operation in both summer and winter.

The new chairlift from Leitner will be equipped with 68 state-of-the-art LEITNER EVO Premium 8-seater chairs, complete with hood, seat heating and individual footrests. The journey between the stations will take just under 4.5 minutes. The world's only direct drive from Leitner ropeways called "DirectDrive" ensures environmentally friendly and low-noise operation. Another exciting new feature is the comfortable entry via conveyor belt with lifting table. This allows children under 1.25 meters to automatically grow by 15 centimeters, allowing them to sit comfortably and safely.

With its mountain station on the transmitter plateau, the Kaiblinggrat cable car is the most important feeder cable car. From there, the summit cable car takes you to the Hauser Kaibling summit (highest point of the 4-mountain ski area/2,015 metres), the natural jewel of the Kaiblingalm and the ski area connection to Planai, Hochwurzen and Reiteralm.

Once at the top, the new mountain station in the look of the Italian design forge
Pininfarina from Leitner offers real passenger comfort thanks to the significantly wider station roof. There are also sanitary facilities and a modern guidance system to present winter sports enthusiasts with all the relevant information at a glance.

State Councillor MMag. Barbara Eibinger-Miedl  said "With the new Kaiblinggrat chairlift, the Hauser Kaibling Bergbahnen are once again improving the offer for their guests. This also increases the attractiveness of our four-mountain ski area and the adventure region," says State Tourism Minister Barbara Eibinger-Miedl.

Klaus Hofstätter, Managing Director of Hauser Kaibling added "The Hauser Kaibling is considered one of the most innovative tourism companies in the country. The new construction of the Kaiblinggrat cable car will ensure that summer and winter guests can comfortably embark on their skiing or hiking adventures for decades to come."

Mayor of the market town Stefan Knap concluded "As mayor, I am very proud that this winter, Styria's strongest chairlift will be taking you to Hauser Kaibling. This will further increase the popularity of our ski mountain among our guests and locals. Thank you to those responsible for the cable car for this innovative project."

Technical details at a glance:

• Name of the lift: Kaiblinggrat 8-seater chairlift
• Capacity: 3,600 people/hour
• Difference in altitude: 454m
• Valley station: 1,414m
• Mountain station: 1,868m
• Operating length: 1,442m
• Travel speed: 6.0 m/s
• Operational management: winter and summer operation,
• Uphill transport (100%), downhill transport (100%)
• Entry: Conveyor belt

Nice to know:

The company "Hauser Kaiblinger Betriebsges.mbH & Co KG" was founded in 1990 - a company half owned by Sampl KG and the other half owned by Hauser Kaibling Seilbahn und Liftges.mbH & Co KG - built the Quattralpina 4-seater chairlift in 1992, which runs from the mountain station of the Hauser Kaibling 8-seater gondola lift to the transmitter plateau. Now, 32 years later, this company is building the new Kaiblinggrat cable car.

Information summer operation 2024

Due to the construction site, there will be no regular summer cable car operation at Hauser Kaibling in summer 2024. The Tauern cable car and the popular “Wollis Kids Park” amusement park at the valley station will be open.