Winter Proofing the Alps: Styrian Ski Resorts Invest Millions in Water Storage and Next-Gen Lifts

As summer heat gives way to early winter planning, ski resorts across Styria are locking in massive capital investments to safeguard their upcoming seasons. Driven by recent dry winters and tightening temperature windows for snowmaking, top Austrian destinations are refocusing their master plans on precise water management, modern snowmaking infrastructure, and upgraded lift capacity.

Leading the charge are the major players of the 4-Mountain Ski Area—Planai-Hochwurzen, Reiteralm—and Murau’s Kreischberg.

Planai & Reiteralm: The Race for Water Efficiency

Following two consecutive winters marked by unusually low precipitation, resort managers have learned that snow cannons are only as good as the water reservoirs feeding them.

At Planai-Hochwurzen, Managing Director Peter Weichbold announced the construction of one of Styria's largest alpine water storage projects:

"We're building one of the largest reservoirs in Styria. We're expanding the Bruckmoos reservoir, increasing its water volume from 80,000 cubic meters to 200,000 cubic meters."

The expanded capacity will allow Planai to capture water during periods of high streamflow and store it directly on the mountain, ensuring maximum volume is available the moment sub-zero temperatures arrive.

At neighboring Reiteralm, Managing Director Daniel Berchthaller is executing a parallel strategy focused on high-throughput extraction and modern snowmaking machinery:

• Stream Extraction: Construction of two new pumping stations with permits to draw water directly from the Preuneggbach stream.

• Enhanced Capacity: Acquisition of 20 new high-efficiency snowmaking machines.

• Goal: Maximizing output during narrow, cold-weather time windows.

Kreischberg: €20 Million Mega-Project

At Kreischberg, the focus spans both snow guarantees and guest comfort. While nearly €2 million is going directly into snowmaking upgrades, the highlight of the resort's nearly €20 million investment package is the brand-new Rosenkranz 8-seater chairlift.

Replacing a legacy two-seater lift dating back to 1994, the modern detachable chairlift (built by Leitner) will dramatically boost transport capacity and cut ride times on one of Kreischberg's core sectors.

Pricing Adjustments for the Upcoming Season

The multi-million-euro capital pushes across the region will be reflected at the ticket counter this winter, though operators note price adjustments are necessary to absorb rising infrastructure and energy costs.

Overview of Ticket Adjustments:

• Kreischberg: Ticket prices will increase by approximately 5%. "It is simply necessary to adjust the ticket prices accordingly given our overall investment of nearly €20 million," explained Managing Director Karl Fussi.

• Planai & Reiteralm: Day tickets will see a more modest adjustment of around 3%, alongside bundled packages and early-bird season pass options.

• With mega-reservoirs filling and new lift pylons rising, Styria's mountain operators are positioning themselves for maximum resilience—ensuring that when winter arrives, the slopes will be ready.

Across the Alps, snowmaking has evolved from a backup plan to a strategic necessity. Reservoirs, pumping stations, and high-efficiency cannons are now as vital as lifts and lodges. As resorts prepare for the 2026–27 season, their commitment signals a broader shift — one where engineering and environmental stewardship work hand in hand to keep winter alive.