New Weißseejochbahn In Operation On The Kaunertal Glacier From Leitner

After around six months of construction, the new Weißseejochbahn on the Kaunertal Glacier went into operation on December 17, 2021 as part of a free ski day. The new cable car runs from the middle station of the Ochsenalmbahn (2,494 m) to the Weißseejoch (3,044 m). There are now three lifts on the Kaunertal Glacier that bring guests barrier-free to over 3,000 meters above sea level. As an absolute world first, the Weißseejochbahn uses a particularly space-saving, specially developed garage system.

"With the realization of the Weißseejochbahn, a project is now being implemented that was part of the development concept 40 years ago by the main initiator of the Kaunertaler Gletscherbahnen and tourism pioneer Eugen Larcher," says Beate Rubatscher-Larcher, Managing Director of the Kaunertaler Gletscherbahnen.

 

Focus on sustainability

The Kaunertal nature park and glacier region stands for sustainable and natural year-round tourism, for which it has only recently received the “Best Tourism Villages” sustainability seal. "For the Kaunertaler Gletscherbahnen it is a principle of action to use progress and technology intelligently in order to manage resources sparingly, to leave the smallest possible ecological footprint and thus to create a sustainable recreational area," adds Rubatscher-Larcher.

 

Garage system as a world first

Around a third of the cubage at the valley station of the Weißseejochbahn was saved through the use of a globally unique garage system. The cabins of the 10-EUB gondola are arranged with a sophisticated control system in the station building in such a way that the boarding and lounge areas for the ski guests can also be used for parking. “We need a lot less space than conventional station buildings. This saves us a lot of space and volume, ”says Franz Wackernell, operations manager of the Kaunertaler Gletscherbahnen. The idea for the garage system goes back to main shareholder Hans Rubatscher. It was developed and implemented by the Leitner company.

 

The Weißseejochbahn is also equipped with an energy-efficient direct drive. In 2022, the building envelope will be equipped with a PV system that can cover around 40 percent of the railway's energy needs. The rest of the energy comes from hydropower. Like all facilities on the Kaunertal Glacier, the Weißseejochbahn is also designed to be barrier-free.

 

“With the construction of the new lift, the lift and slope options in the existing ski area will be made much more attractive and that will strengthen the Kaunertal as a winter sports region. Thanks to the interplay between the glacier ski area and the nature park region, we are a year-round holiday destination that also creates year-round jobs, ”explains Armin Falkner from TVB Tiroler Oberland. “Through the path that the Kaunertal has taken, all players in the valley ensure sustainable growth from their own resources and thus a living and economic area in a high mountain valley. We have placed 48% of our community area under nature protection, 2% can be settled permanently and 0.8% is used as ski area area, ”adds Kaunertal Mayor Josef Raich.

 

The new Weißseejochbahn will officially go into operation as part of a free day on Friday, December 17, 2021. Note: Promotion applies to everyone who does not have a valid lift ticket for the Kaunertal Glacier.

 

Facts about the Weißseejochbahn (3,044 m):

• 10-seater gondola lift (10 EUB), 33 cabins
• 12 supports
• 550 m difference in altitude: valley station near the middle station Ochsenalmbahn (2,494 m), mountain station (3,044 m)
• Travel time: 6 minutes
• Architecture: Baumschlager and Partner
• Cable car technology: Leitner