Lech Bergbahnen: Investment in snow reliability pays off

Lech Bergbahnen AG produced 31.5% more artificial snow last winter than the previous year, with virtually no increase in energy consumption. This is thanks to targeted investments in snowmaking infrastructure. Expansion will continue in the summer of 2026.

The 2025/26 winter season was characterized by below-average natural snowfall across much of the Alps. For Lech Bergbahnen AG, this winter impressively demonstrated that last year's consistent investment in artificial snowmaking was the right strategy: a total of around 750,000 m³ of artificial snow was produced – an increase of 31.5% compared to the previous year. At the same time, energy consumption rose by only around 13%, demonstrating the significantly increased efficiency of the modern systems. Total electricity consumption for snowmaking in Austria accounts for only 0.3% of total consumption. In Lech, almost 100% of this comes from renewable sources. The water used is also returned to the cycle without any additives. "This winter season has shown how crucial a high-performance snowmaking infrastructure is."

Despite challenging initial conditions, we were able to offer our guests excellent slope conditions from the first day to the last – and that is precisely our goal. The first expansion phase, completed in the summer of 2025, had a particularly positive impact. Investments were made in the system's capacity. This included upgrading the main pumping station to its new capacity and renewing and expanding the power network. To create the optimal foundation, Lech Bergbahnen AG has invested in 80 new snow guns from Supersnow and DEMACLENKO over the past two years. These are approximately 40 percent more energy-efficient and, in a gold tone, match the company colors. This year, more snow guns and snow lances will be added to better mitigate the challenges of winters with little snow.

Further expansion is planned for the summer of 2026.

We are consistently continuing on this course. This summer, a further 5 million euros will be invested, and the second part of the construction work around the pipelines at Schlegelkopf will follow, which will triple the snowmaking capacity towards Kriegerhorn and Steinmähder in the next winter season.