Tyrolean Zugspitze cable Car celebrates 100th anniversary

In 2026, the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn cable car in Ehrwald will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Since its opening on July 5, 1926, cable cars have been considered drivers of innovation, opening up the mountain world and pioneering tourism. Numerous milestones lie between the pioneering engineering achievements of that time and today's family-run business. Today, the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn and its associated companies employ 240 people and are a key economic driver for the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena region.

With the opening of the "Austrian Zugspitze Railway" in 1926, which became the "Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway" in 1958, the history of modern cable car construction in the Alps began – as the second cable car in Austria and the first in North Tyrol. What was then a pioneering technical achievement is today a key driver of tourism and the economy.

The Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway overcomes an altitude difference of 1,725 ​​meters from the village of Ehrwald in Tyrol to the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, thus connecting two countries via one of the most striking peaks in the Alps. On July 5, 1926, the first cabin, with a maximum capacity of 19 people, ascended to the Zugspitze in approximately 18 minutes – a spectacular technological advancement at the time. Today, the Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway stands as a symbol of a century of innovation that has made Tyrol one of the world's leading cable car regions.

“The 100th anniversary of our railway is a piece of Tyrolean history. Since 1926, it has connected people, regions and perspectives, bringing added value, jobs and international visibility to our region. This anniversary is therefore an occasion to look back – and at the same time to initiate the next steps for an innovative and sustainable development of the Tyrolean Zugspitzbahn,” said Franz Dengg, Managing Director of the Tyrolean Zugspitzbahn.

Highlights of the anniversary year

To mark the anniversary, the museum at the mountain station is being renovated. In collaboration with glaciologist and astrophotographer Norbert Span, a modern exhibition is being created, which will officially open in May 2026. It will showcase the evolution of the Zugspitze Railway from its early days to today's high-performance system and will address topics such as weather phenomena. Simultaneously, author and theater director Claudia Lang-Forcher is dedicating a play to Hermann Stern, the initiator of the Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway, entitled "Sterntaler für die Zugspitze" (Star Talers for the Zugspitze). The premiere will take place on July 5, 2026, in Ehrwald. The recently published commemorative book documents milestones of the railway, historical photographs, and voices from the region.

Tyrol celebrates 100 years of cable car history

From the first cable car to the Zugspitze, an industry has developed in Tyrol consisting of 175 cable car and ski lift operators with 871 installations. Today, these are not only a symbol of cutting-edge technology but also a cornerstone of tourism, employment, and quality of life in the region. "Without cable cars, there would be no winter tourism in its current form," says Reinhard Klier, Chairman of the Cable Car Association. "But it's equally important to us to provide affordable and attractive options for the local population. Furthermore, the cable car companies are a major employer in the region, providing not only seasonal but also year-round jobs. And last but not least, the industry is also exemplary in its apprenticeship training."

Tyrol's cable cars play a pioneering role worldwide – both in technical innovation and economic relevance. Gross revenue generated by cable car users amounts to approximately €6.3 billion annually. Around 7,500 people are employed in the sector full-time or part-time, of whom 3,300 work year-round and 4,200 are seasonal workers in winter. The significant contribution of cable cars to the attractiveness of tourism is evident in the length of stay: guests using mountain lifts stay an average of 7.4 days in Tyrol – without a cable car experience, the average stay is reduced to 5.7 days. Thus, the success of Tyrol's cable car industry is inextricably linked to the pioneering work that began 100 years ago on the Zugspitze.

Technical data for the Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway

• Length: 3,600 m;

• Elevation difference: 1,725 ​​m; Elevation (valley): 1,225 m; Elevation (mountain): 2,950 m;

• Max. speed: 10 m/s (36 km/h);

• Travel time: 10 minutes

• ; Support towers: 3, highest tower: 55 m;

• Maximum ground clearance: 160 m;

• Cabins: 2, each for 100 people;

• Transport capacity: 730 people per hour

The Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway has connected the Austrian town of Ehrwald with the summit of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, since 1926. The two panoramic cabins of the cable car each carry up to 100 people and reach the summit in about ten minutes. At the summit plateau, visitors can enjoy a unique Alpine panorama, an interactive museum, the Snow Crystal World, and the panoramic summit restaurant. The Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026.