Hinterstoder-Wurzeralm Bergbahnen Reports Continuing Demand For Snowsports

As every year, the snow situation and the accompanying temperature development is a decisive factor for the development of the ski season.

• Good infrastructure guarantees the success of the ski areas
• Sustainable investments as a success factor
• School ski courses are picking up speed

The past season showed how important it is for ski areas to have a functioning, modern infrastructure in order to be able to offer all winter sports enthusiasts an attractive and at the same time sustainable offer. The Hinterstoder-Wurzeralm Bergbahnen have set a clear signal for the further development of the Pyhrn-Priel holiday region with the investments they have made and planned.

Slight decline in the number of guests - school ski courses are picking up speed again

“Every winter has its facets, we have to live with that. After a timely start to the season, the Christmas holidays and January clouded our balance somewhat. Nevertheless, our commitment to investments and infrastructure has enabled us to offer our guests untroubled skiing fun. With a slight drop of 5% in guest entries in both ski areas compared to the very good pre-Corona season 2019/20, we are not far from our goals," says Helmut Holzinger, CEO of Hinterstoder-Wurzeralm Bergbahnen AG. The number of multi-day guests even remained constant. "We are very happy and positively surprised that the school ski courses in Upper Austria have picked up speed again after the pandemic. Thank you to all teachers

Infrastructure as a success factor for winter tourism

Last winter showed that ski areas can only look back and be prepared for the future if they can offer intact pistes thanks to an effective snow-making infrastructure and modern cable car systems, even in difficult times due to the weather. The new Hössbahn in Hinterstoder, which went into operation at Christmas 2022, has developed extremely positively. The modern 10-seater gondola lift was built in record time in 2022 and was very well received by all guests. As a result, guests make more use of the valley runs and the waiting times, even at peak times, have been massively reduced thanks to the increased capacity. The further development on the Wurzeralm, which has long been planned by the cable cars, such as the 10-seater gondola lift on the Frauenkar, Despite an initial positive decision from the nature conservation authority, it is still awaiting approval. A recent objection by the State Environmental Attorney is currently leading to a standstill of important, future-oriented investments. The flash mob on the Wurzeralm showed how important the Wurzeralm ski area is to guests.

Consistently very good conditions

“We have to be satisfied with the result, our guests certainly were. Thanks to the tireless commitment of our entire team, we have managed to offer all winter sports enthusiasts a continuous ski season with very good slope conditions," says Helmut Holzinger, CEO of Hinterstoder-Wurzeralm Bergbahnen AG.

Attractive range of events makes skiing an experience

In recent years, numerous event formats have been created in the region, which provide all winter sports enthusiasts with unique experiences in addition to skiing and snowboarding. From culinary delights to grill & chill with grill world champion Adi Matzek to family Sundays on the Wurzeralm and Lederhos'n Skigaudi in Hinterstoder. "We have already been able to establish some very successful events here that bring a really unique atmosphere to the ski areas," says Holzinger.

Sustainable investments

Hinterstoder-Wurzeralm Bergbahnen AG has been aligning its business activities with sustainability in mind for many years. In the future, this should include the exclusive use of electricity from renewable energy and self-generated electricity for operation as well as the long-term security of regional jobs through investments in the tourist infrastructure of the Pyhrn-Priel holiday region. In addition, the Hinterstoder and Wurzeralm ski areas rely on innovative transport concepts for public arrival and traffic relief on busy days through the use of free shuttle buses into the valley.