Melzer & Hopfner: working on New major project in the Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn ski area

With the new 10EUB Reiterkogelbahn in Hinterglemm, a modern cable car infrastructure with significantly more comfort, capacity and quality for guests at the Reiterkogel will be created by the winter season 2026/27.

The existing lift, built in 1997, will be replaced by a new 10-person gondola lift, which will run in two sections to the Rosswald chairlift. Particularly exciting: the new second section will, for the first time, allow a direct ride to the summit.

Key data points:

• 10-person single-cable gondola lift

• Two sections

• Up to 2,500 people per hour

• 71 cabins

• Approximately 8.6 minutes travel time

• Modern station infrastructure & optimized operational processes

The architectural design also sets specific accents: The station buildings planned by Melzer & Hopfner combine modern alpine infrastructure with a clear, reduced design language and blend naturally into the alpine landscape.

The Melzer & Hopfner team is delighted to be able to support this project as a planning office.

HINTERGLEMM, AUSTRIA — The renowned Austrian ski resort of Hinterglemm, a key hub of the sprawling Skicircus winter sports area, is undergoing a major modernization project this summer.

Resort officials have announced that the popular Reiterkogelbahn cable car is being completely retired after nearly three decades of service to make way for a state-of-the-art gondola lift. The major infrastructure overhaul is scheduled for completion in time for the 2026/2027 winter season, promising significantly greater comfort and a massive boost to transport capacity.

Out with the Red, In with the Black

Since 1997, the distinctive small red cabins of the original Reiterkogel cable car have been transporting skiers and snowboarders from Hinterglemm up to an altitude of 1,367 meters. This past winter season was officially their last.

The replacement system, officially named the D1 Reiterkogelbahn, is being constructed by the world-renowned ropeway manufacturer Doppelmayr. The upgrade marks a significant physical and visual shift for the mountain:

• Expanded Cabins: The aging 8-person gondola lift is being replaced by a spacious, modern 10-person version, mirroring the design of the resort's existing 12-person KOGEL lift.

• A New Aesthetic: The retro red cabins are being phased out completely, replaced by sleek, black gondolas designed to offer passengers more physical space and a far more comfortable ride.

• Straight to the Summit in One Go

Beyond the upgrades to the cabins themselves, the most impactful change for visitors is a major adjustment to the lift's route.

The new Reiterkogelbahn will feature a brand-new additional section, allowing winter sports enthusiasts to travel directly to the very top of the mountain with just a single trip. Previously, reaching the peak required changing trains, but the new design eliminates this logistical hurdle entirely.

"In the future, winter sports enthusiasts will be able to reach the very top with just one trip."

The Reiterkogel has long been celebrated as a manageable, family-friendly mountain characterized by its wide, inviting slopes. By removing the mid-mountain transfer, the resort will make the entire area logistically seamless to navigate for beginners and advanced skiers alike.

Slashed Wait Times

The upgrade is also poised to eradicate long morning lift lines. The new 10-person gondola system will boast an impressive transport capacity of 2,500 people per hour, ensuring that crowds are dispersed rapidly and skiers can reach the summit much faster than in previous years.

Construction will take place entirely over the summer months, with the grand opening locked in for the launch of the 2026/2027 winter ski season.