Gerlitzen Summit Cable Car Construction Underway

Work has begun on a major upgrade to Gerlitzen Alpe’s summit access: the construction of a new 10‑person gondola, known as Kanzelbahn II, which will replace the existing four‑person chairlift and significantly boost capacity and comfort for visitors.

Construction officially began in early April 2026, with the site mobilization and delivery of the first construction machines already reported. The operator has scheduled the main build to take place through spring and summer, with completion targeted for autumn 2026 and full service expected in time for the 2026/27 season. During parts of the summer, alternative lifts will keep access to higher trails available.

The Gerlitzen Bergbahnen are investing about €22 million in the Kanzelbahn II project to create a faster, weather‑protected connection from Kanzelhöhe to the Gerlitzen summit. The new gondola is designed to serve both winter sports guests and summer visitors, offering a more comfortable, all‑weather ascent.

The new cable car, will replace the Gipfelbahn, a 4-person chairlift, and will transport guests quickly and comfortably from Kanzelhöhe at 1,440 meters altitude directly to the summit of Gerlitzen at 1,911 meters Simagazin.

Hans Hopfgartner, managing director of Gerlitzen Alpe, said the company is realizing a true flagship project with the Kanzelbahn. Visitors will benefit from an even faster and more comfortable ascent to the Gerlitzen summit without waiting times ORF.

The existing 4-person chairlift is being replaced because it no longer meets today's requirements. The new gondola significantly increases capacity, ensuring shorter waiting times at the lifts and better distribution of winter sports enthusiasts throughout the ski area Snowplaza.

The Gerlitzen Alpe, located in Carinthia near Villach and the Ossiach See, is a popular destination for skiers from Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, and the United Kingdom. The mountain reaches 1,911 meters and offers panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and mountains.

While the existing four-person summit chairlift makes way for the new 10-person gondola, a unique opportunity presents itself in summer 2026: Starting May 30, 2026, in addition to the Kanzelbahn operating as usual to the Kanzelhöhe adventure arena (open in summer 2026), the Moserbahn and Pöllingerbahn will also be in operation, enabling an ascent to the Pöllingerhütte ORF.

The new gondola will benefit both winter and summer visitors. Thanks to enclosed cabins, the lift will be comfortable even in bad weather and suitable for a broader audience, including winter hikers and summer guests Snowplaza.

Construction begins directly after the winter season on April 7 and is scheduled to be completed in autumn 2026, making the new gondola operational in time for the 2026/2027 winter season. During construction, the summit will remain accessible via other lifts

Operators describe the new lift as a leuchtturmprojekt — a flagship investment intended to raise the resort’s year‑round appeal, reduce waiting times, and improve guest distribution across the mountain. Gerlitzen’s management says the upgrade will make the summit more accessible to skiers, hikers, and sightseers alike.

Technical Details and Benefits

• Lift type: 10‑person gondola replacing a 4‑person chairlift.

• Capacity and speed: The new system will markedly increase hourly throughput and shorten journey times, improving flow during peak periods.

• All‑season use: Enclosed cabins provide weather protection for winter and summer guests, expanding the mountain’s accessibility.

• Timeline and Local Impact

Local officials and the Gerlitzen management say planners are working to minimize disruption to guests and to maintain summer access via other lifts while the summit lift is replaced.

As construction progresses, the operator is publishing a construction diary and regular updates to keep residents and visitors informed about milestones and temporary changes to lift operations.

What to expect next: further technical updates, staged removal of the old chairlift, and visible on‑site works through the summer months as the new stations and cable infrastructure are installed.