Mountain Summer In Focus: Great Potential For Tourism In Lech

In the coming years, Lech Bergbahnen AG will invest in expanding the summer tourist offer and thereby support the destination development of Lech Zürs. The information event on the further development of the mountain summer was very well received. The Green Ring forms the common link for this.

Lech am Arlberg - Lech Bergbahnen AG sees great potential in the tourism management of the mountain summer. Last year, the cable car company worked intensively with local players and experts on a vision of the future. During an information event in the Lechwelten, Lech Bergbahnen AG presented its first summer investments, thereby making a clear commitment to developing a year-round offer. "Lech is primarily positioning itself as a winter sports destination, and this focus must continue to be strengthened. At the same time, however, we see enormous potential in new experiences for the summer, as guests are increasingly drawn to the Alpine region during this time. By managing the mountain summer, Lech Zürs will also become more attractive for employees, as additional jobs will be created and employees can be employed all year round," summarizes Klaus Nußbaumer, CEO of Lech Bergbahnen AG, adding: "In addition to presenting our plans, the information evening also served to create a common understanding of the opportunities of alpine summer tourism."

Green Ring as a symbol for joint projects

The existing "Green Ring" is a good link for all summer activities on the mountain - the counterpart to the White Ring, the legendary ski route around the Omeshorn. In three hiking stages, guests can explore the impressive mountain scenery on the Arlberg from a completely different perspective. Lech Bergbahnen AG sees the Green Ring as a connecting element between existing and new products and has agreed to make its contribution: "The Green Ring can form the link for joint projects, guided by the brand promise of the Lech Zürs destination. It symbolizes cooperation and a common goal of making our destination sustainable and successful," emphasizes Klaus Nußbaumer. "This initiative is intended to create additional added value for all tourism players - from the hotel industry, gastronomy and retail to the mountain railways. We are pleased that our ideas have met with a lot of approval," explains Nußbaumer.

The projects and investments of Lech Bergbahnen AG at a glance:

• The Rüfikopf is a panoramic mountain and an important hiking hub. For this reason, the viewing platform is being redesigned and a panoramic walkway is being built high above the rocky abyss for new, impressive perspectives.
• Based on a design by the internationally renowned architectural firm Snøhetta, the roof of the Zugerbergbahn is undergoing an artistic interaction that allows guests to experience the mountain landscape in a new way, which is reflected in the water surface of the flooded roof depending on the light and weather.
• The Balmalp is getting a lounge for children and families, and a spectacular circular path is also to be created.
• The Rud-Alpe has successfully positioned itself as a tourist destination where families or party groups can gather. The range of experiences for children and adults is to be expanded by renovating the water playground, the petting zoo and the construction of a barefoot circular path with lots of installations.

The first measures will be noticeable this summer. The Supervisory Board of Lech Bergbahnen AG has approved a budget of around 1.5 million euros for 2025.

Lech Bergbahnen AG was created from the merger of Skilifte Lech, Ing. Bildstein GmbH, Rüfikopf-Seilbahn AG and Rud-Alpe Gastronomie GmbH. In addition to the 14 cable cars, the company also owns the four mountain restaurants Balmalp, Rud-Alpe, Rüfikopf Panoramarestaurant and Schlegelkopf Restaurant, as well as the new Bistro Mila in the center of Lech, next to the Rüfikopf valley station. Lech Bergbahnen AG employs around 230 people in winter and 100 in summer, of which 66 are currently employed full-time.