Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschonau Celebrates 10 Years

The new figurehead in the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau ski area is called "Top of Alpbachtal". The newly built lookout tower and the new Hornbahn 2000 go into operation punctually for the start of the anniversary season on December 3rd.

Alpbach/Innsbruck – The Alpbachtal and the Wildschönau are celebrating anniversaries. 10 years ago, the two ski areas in the Alpbachtal and in the Wildschönau were connected by a modern gondola lift. With the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, one of the largest ski areas in Tyrol has emerged. For the milestone birthday, the ski area is investing in a new chairlift and opening a new landmark with the "Top of Alpbachtal".

The Hornlift 2000 has had its day after 23 years. A new, detachable 6-seater chairlift with a weather protection hood and heated seats has now been built. The chairlift takes skiers to the highest point in the ski area at 2,030 meters in 3.45 minutes. A new blue slope was created so that the new run can also be used by beginners.

The new chairlift is a replacement investment. "The Alpbacher Bergbahn is not investing in expansion in the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, but in the quality of the offer with the aim of offering guests a special mountain experience," emphasizes Reinhard Wieser, Managing Director of Alpbacher Bergbahnen. “The new system is state-of-the-art. It has a direct drive that saves up to 10 percent energy,” explains Wieser. The investment volume is 10.5 million euros.

Top of Alpbachtal

The new mountain station promises to be an absolute highlight. With the name "Top of Alpbachtal" it will have a 13-meter-high observation tower, which will provide an interior with a panorama window and a viewing platform with a unique 360-degree all-round view. Snøhetta, an internationally renowned architect's office with a branch in Innsbruck, is responsible for the architecture. "We planned as resource-saving and sustainable as possible," explains architect Patrick Lüth from Snøhetta.

In keeping with the tradition of the Alpbach Valley, the tower is made of wood and clad with hand-made shingles. Large glass fronts provide light and a wide view of the surrounding mountains. The interior corresponds to an informal seating landscape. A Tyrolean parlor that is architecturally reinterpreted. "The room is sheltered from the wind, but not heated," says Lüth. This also saves energy, because skiers are already wearing warm clothing. Visitors can take a short rest there and enjoy the view.

Regional Investments

In this project, great importance is attached to sustainable and efficient implementation. The launch was originally planned for 2020. However, the corona-related delay meant that more time could be spent on careful planning and preparation of the investment. "Every invoice for the 10.5 million project comes from Tyrol," explains Wieser. The track is from Leitner GmbH from Telfs, many regional trades were used and the wooden shingles with which the tower is provided are made by hand by Hans Hauser from Alpbach. From December 3rd it is possible to reach the highest point in the entire ski area and get an overview of the snowy landscape from there.

83 million in eleven years

The construction of the connecting cableway between the ski areas in the Alpbachtal and in the Wildschönau was the starting signal for the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau. The cornerstone for a positive economic development was thus laid. A total of around 83 million euros have been invested in the last 11 years. These include: The construction of the connecting railway in 2012, the construction of the Gmahbahn in 2014, the construction of the new Schatzbergbahn in 2017 and the current implementation of the new Hornbahn 2000.

Furthermore, numerous investments were made in the summer and year-round offers. The highlight here was the Alpine Coaster "Alpbachtaler Lauser-Sauser" in 2017.

The mountain railways in the Alpbachtal and in the Wildschönau are among the leading companies and largest employers in the region. They employ 105 people all year round, and 220 people work for the mountain railways during the winter season. 98 percent of all employees come from the region.

DATA & FACTS: the new "HORNBAHN 2000"