Salzburg Lift Co’s: Specialist Group Meeting Held In Zell Am See

Ski season has already started at the “Kitz” / Industry representatives met in Zell am See / Interview with cable car spokesman Erich Egger

The winter season is already within reach, the first ski area, the Kitzsteinhorn, is already open. Salzburg's cable car operators recently met for a specialist group conference in Zell am See.

Salzburg's cable cars are ready for the winter season and are optimistic about the coming months. This was evident at yesterday's specialist group meeting of the Salzburg cable car industry in the Congress Center Zell am See. Skiing is the reason for 70 percent of all winter tourists to stay in Austria.

Schnöll: “Backbone for winter tourism.”

Deputy State Governor Stefan Schnöll emphasized on site in Zell am See: “The modern lifts and cable cars in our state are the backbone of winter tourism. A lot has happened in recent years in terms of driving speed, conveying capacity and comfort. This is thanks to the operators, who always demonstrate foresight and pioneering spirit and think beyond the boundaries of actual cable car operations.”

Salzburg's ski areas in numbers

• Around 4,700 hectares of ski slopes, which is around 0.65 percent of Salzburg's area.
• Of these, around 85 percent can technically be snowed
• 467 cable cars and lifts, including 86 cable cars, 148 chair lifts, 229 drag lifts and more
• Around 120 storage ponds with more than six million cubic meters of water content
• Salzburg cable car companies employ 2,000 people all year round, and an additional 2,500 seasonal employees in winter.

Variety and high quality

In international competition, Salzburg's cable cars are at the forefront in terms of quality and price-performance ratio. The State Media Center spoke to Erich Egger, spokesman for the cable car companies, about the local peculiarities.

LMZ: What’s new for guests from home and abroad this winter?

Erich Egger: Essentially, three new lift systems should be highlighted. These are the new 10-seater gondola lift in Großarl, the 8-seater Limberg chairlift on the Schattberg in Saalbach-Hinterfglemm and the Sonnkogelbahn on the Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See. It has the special feature of being a 6-seater chairlift in winter and an 8-seater gondola lift in summer.

LMZ: The future is also discussed at a specialist group meeting. How do cable car and lift operators prepare for winters with little snow?

Erich Egger: We are trying to reduce dependence on winter and strengthen summer operations. In this respect, the Sonnkogelbahn is an absolute premiere that optimally meets the needs of guests. In summer we increasingly focus on an expanded range of offerings on the mountain, for example spectacular viewing platforms and hiking and mountain bike trails.

LMZ: What are the major challenges in keeping up with international competition?

Erich Egger: We are very good when it comes to value for money. This is what needs to be preserved. We are also at the forefront when it comes to the quality of the lifts and slopes. What sets us apart from our competitors is our type of hospitality, typically Austrian cuisine and excellent gastronomy. Another point is the variety offered; we offer a mix of large and small, family-friendly ski areas.

LMZ: Are there any areas that still need to be addressed?

Erich Egger: Although it does not affect the lift operation itself, we still see potential for the arrival and departure of guests. This should be made as pleasant and sustainable as possible. In particular, the option of traveling by train needs to be strengthened.