Austria's best summer mountain railways look forward to the anniversary year 2026 with confidence.

Families, summer holidays and nature experiences are the focus – a survey among members shows stable booking levels, clear trends and numerous new features on the mountain. In the anniversary year, in which Austria celebrates 100 years of cable car history and the "Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways" seal of approval has existed for 25 years, the certified summer mountain railways look with confidence to the further course of the 2026 summer season.

A recent flash survey among the member companies of the quality initiative provides insight into expectations, priorities and new developments for the mountain summer.

The review of the 2025 summer season is very positive: Around 86% of businesses rated the past season as "very satisfied" or "satisfied". For the surveyed mountain railways, the summer season has thus long since established itself as a strong second pillar alongside the winter season.

“Twenty-five years ago, summer was still considered the off-season in many places,” recalls Franz Hörl, Chairman of the Cable Car Association at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. “Today, the mountain summer is a deliberately developed business model and an independent, strong pillar of the economy – for our companies, but also for the regions.”

The figures for 2026 also show that summer is important far beyond the traditional holiday weeks. Many mountain railways strategically use spring and autumn to offer deals for families, day visitors, and active holidaymakers – for example, around public holidays, long weekends, and the off-season.

“The mountain summer is now an important element of year-round tourism,” says Hörl. “From March until autumn, windows open up in which people consciously travel to the mountains to enjoy nature, peace and quiet and fresh air.”

Assessment of the booking situation: Stable at a high level – with cautious optimism

How member businesses are approaching the summer season is reflected in the current booking situation: 50% of the surveyed businesses expect bookings to be as good as last year, 23% anticipate a better season. 24% are currently unable to assess the booking situation, and only 4% expect a weaker season.

This means that positive expectations prevail: The majority anticipate stable development at last year's level, while a good fifth hope for growth. The comparatively high percentage of "still unclear" responses is, according to Kornel Grundner, spokesperson for the Best Austrian Summer Mountain Lifts, primarily a sign of the times: "We see a robust starting position, but also how strongly short-term decisions shape our market. Many guests decide spontaneously based on the weather, their available free time, and their mood. The mountain lifts are responding to this with flexible, easily accessible offers."

Target groups 2026: Focus on family experiences, day visitors and active holidays

The best Austrian summer mountain lifts have clear priorities – with a strong focus on family and activity offerings. 92% of those surveyed focus on families with children, while 73% specifically target day visitors.

Closely following, with 70%, is the focus on active holidaymakers (hiking, biking), while 55% cite gourmets as an important target group. 24% see groups and events as an important guest sector; international guests are being given greater consideration in many places.

The survey confirms what has already become apparent in recent years: family experiences and active holidays form the core of Sommerberg, complemented by growing potential among day visitors – especially where good accessibility and regional connections are available.

“Today’s guests want nature, exercise and time together – reliably arranged, easily accessible and with added comfort,” says Grundner.

Tourism Trends from the Perspective of Mountain Railways: Nature Experiences, Summer Getaways, and Year-Round Tourism.

The survey clearly shows which trends are currently shaping the summer season from the perspective of mountain railways. The nature experience is paramount: slowing down, exercise in the fresh air, and shared experiences on the mountain are perceived as the strongest trend.

Many responses emphasize combinations such as "nature – sport – recreation – enjoyment" as well as the family experience on the mountain, for example through themed trails, water play areas and interactive adventure worlds.

Another key factor is the theme of "summer retreat instead of heat." Several businesses explicitly report guests who want to escape the heat in the valley or the cities. The mountains are positioned as a cool, easily accessible summer retreat. Short-term decisions, holidays in Austria, and day trips play a central role in this.

Digital offerings such as online tickets, digital experience trails, information apps, and personalized recommendations are clearly noticed, but rarely seen as the sole core of the offering. They are increasingly becoming an expected standard that enhances the mountain experience.

“For us, digitalization is not an end in itself, but a service enhancer,” said Grundner. “The experience of nature remains the main attraction; digital solutions ensure that the journey there becomes easier, more comfortable, and more personalized.”

Year-round tourism is considered to have solid potential. Around two-thirds of businesses see opportunities in stronger spring and autumn business – for example, through new offerings in the off-season or target group-specific formats outside the traditional holiday periods.

Conscious travel: Sustainability at the best Austrian summer mountain railways

In addition to the aforementioned trends, sustainability is considered relevant by a large majority of businesses and is being promoted on several levels. The survey shows that many member companies are implementing concrete projects, particularly in the areas of energy and resource conservation – such as photovoltaics, on-site electricity generation, hydropower, or efficiency improvements within operations. Furthermore, there are targeted measures in nature conservation, biodiversity, waste separation, and accessibility.

A key lever for sustainability is mobility and travel. Here, the cooperation with the Austrian Climate Ticket plays a central role, which will continue in 2026 and facilitates climate-friendly travel to mountain destinations.

Holders of the KlimaTicket Ö (Austrian Climate Ticket) receive a 10% discount on round-trip cable car tickets at 52 participating businesses. Equally important is raising awareness about responsible behavior in the mountains. The "Summit Charter" has been established as a shared code of conduct, promoting respectful coexistence between people, nature, and wildlife among guests.

“Sustainability is not a short-term trend for our members, but has long been part of their corporate responsibility,” says Grundner. “From energy and mobility to nature and landscape conservation and regionality – many summer mountain railways are consciously investing in a mountain future that will also work for future generations.”

Mountain Highlights 2026: From enjoying nature to family experiences, biking & culture

This summer, Austria's best summer mountain lifts are once again demonstrating the diversity of a modern mountain summer. The focus is on offerings that combine enjoying nature, physical activity, and quality family time – complemented by culinary delights, educational opportunities, and events.

What is striking is the wide range: In addition to classic family adventure worlds, targeted formats are being created for new target groups, from culinary and health offerings to bike segments.

Specific examples from member companies:

• In Lower Austria, the Annaberg lifts provide thrills with panoramic views on the Annaberg zipline; a new themed and adventure trail around “Niki’s Alpine Adventure” appeals to families with children.

• In Salzburg, “Lofi's Wasseralm” at the Lofer mountain railway brings fresh water fun to the mountain with a natural play pond, while the Hinterglemm mountain railways offer a packed summer program with bike festivals, new trails and the family highlight “OKIDOKI Children's Festival”.

• In Tyrol, the range of experiences is being expanded in many places – for example through new family and play areas in KaiserWelt Scheffau, additional stations of the "Spoggolino" ball track in Westendorf or the Ninja Park in Hochoetz for those who like it sporty.

• In Vorarlberg, the Brandnertal valley focuses on bike and family experiences with a bike park and interactive themed trails; the new 10-person gondola lift Loischkopfbahn with special bike cabs is considered a comfort highlight and the first offer of its kind in Europe.

• In addition, cultural highlights such as new exhibitions and museums, such as the new museum “100 Years of the Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway”, as well as significant events throughout the season – from anniversary events to children's and family festivals.

“Our members demonstrate year after year just how creative and diverse a summer in the mountains can be,” Grundner summarizes. “From family slides and water play areas to cultural highlights – the crucial idea is always the same: We want to give people wonderful moments in the mountains. Anyone who travels to one of Austria’s Best Summer Mountain Railways should be able to rely on that.”

About the quality seal “Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways”

The "Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways" quality seal is an initiative of the Austrian Cable Car Association (Austrian Federal Economic Chamber) and stands for quality, cooperation and sustainable regional development.

The quality seal unites the experts and pioneers of Austrian summer mountain tourism and now has 82 members with 100 themed mountains. Only businesses that meet at least 100 quality criteria become one of the best Austrian summer mountain railways.

Specializing in five themed areas – Adventure, Family, Panorama & Nature Experience, Culinary Delights, and Art & Culture – members must undergo recertification every three years. A diverse range of experiences is guaranteed – which is why the seal of approval has become an important factor for holidaymakers when choosing a destination.