Tyrolean Zugspitze Lift co celebrates 100th anniversary
21/July/2026
With a celebratory trip to the Zugspitze summit and a special evening of theater in the Zugspitzsaal in Ehrwald, the Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway celebrated its centenary. Among the guests of honor were Tyrol's Governor Anton Mattle, representatives of the owning families, and descendants of the railway's founder and Reutte pioneer, Dr. Hermann Stern.
The opening of what was then the "Austrian Zugspitze Railway" marked the beginning of cable car history: For the first time, a railway led from Ehrwald to the Zugspitze summit, making Germany's highest mountain accessible to a wider public. One hundred years later, the anniversary trip kicked off the celebrations. Together with the shareholder families Dengg, Tipotsch, Egger, Klausner, Pichlsberger, and Mader from the Zillertal valley, as well as representatives of the Stern family – including grandchildren and great-grandchildren – the group traveled to the summit on the Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway.
During the anniversary celebrations, Governor Anton Mattle emphasized the railway's far-reaching impact, extending well beyond the borders of Tyrol: "100 years of the Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway represent Tyrolean pioneering spirit, top-level technical achievement, and tourism that generates added value for the region. The Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway has not only brought the Zugspitze closer to people but has also had a lasting impact on the economic development of the entire region. That this success story continues so impressively today is thanks to the commitment of the owning families, the shareholders, and the employees," said Mattle.
Franz and Klaus Dengg, both managing directors of the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn, said in unison: “Today, the history of the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn is palpable in a very special way. We are celebrating the work of visionaries like Hermann Stern and all those who have shaped this railway over the past 100 years. Our mission is to continue this legacy responsibly and to enable our guests to enjoy unique mountain experiences for another 100 years to come.”
Theater premiere in the Zugspitz Hall:
Just in time for the anniversary of the Tyrolean Zugspitz Railway, the theater production "Sterntaler für die Zugspitze" (Star Talers for the Zugspitze) premiered in the Zugspitz Hall in Ehrwald, performed by the theater group "Kulissenschieber Ehrwald" (Ehrwald Scenery Players). Written and directed by Claudia Lang-Forcher, the play focuses on the construction of the "sky-stormer" and traces the life of the railway's founder, Dr. Hermann Stern, from the challenging construction period to his tragic end. Through the more than 25-member ensemble, elaborate sets, and dramatic music, the history of the Tyrolean Zugspitz Railway is brought to life as an emotional panorama of its time – on view until August 29, 2026, in the Zugspitz Hall in Ehrwald.
100 Years of the Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway – From Pioneering Project to Leading Enterprise.
With its opening as Tyrol's first cable car and Austria's second, the foundation was laid for a remarkable success story. What once began as a technical sensation has developed over the decades into a leading enterprise in alpine tourism. Today, the Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway transports up to 100 people to the 2,962-meter-high Zugspitze summit in about ten minutes. Once at the top, visitors are treated to a unique panoramic view of four countries across the Alps, as well as a diverse range of dining options and an interactive exhibition about the railway's history.
“The coming years will be characterized by further optimizing our facilities and services while preserving the unique character of this place,” said Dengg. “The Zugspitze is a part of our region’s identity – and we want to ensure that future generations can also experience this special mountain responsibly.”
The former "Austrian Zugspitze Railway" was the first cable car in Tyrol and the second in Austria when it opened a hundred years ago. Throughout its history, the Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway has achieved numerous milestones: from the first cabins for 19 people in 1926, to the development of the summit via the summit cable car in 1964, to today's direct connection to the Zugspitze, which has been in operation since 1991. After the valley station fire in 2003, the railway was rebuilt in record time. The Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway has continued to develop consistently since then – with new themed areas, innovative exhibitions, and modern infrastructure. Today, the railway covers a distance of 3,600 meters and climbs approximately 1,725 meters in altitude in just ten minutes. Two panoramic cabins, each with a capacity of 100 people, transport up to 730 guests per hour to an altitude of almost 2,950 meters. The tallest support measures 55 meters, the greatest distance from the ground is an impressive 160 meters.
