St. Johanner Bergbahnen - Kick-off for “Jodlalm Neu”

A key milestone has been reached: Following the successful completion of the building permit process, the "Jodlalm Neu" project can now enter the construction phase. The St. Johann mountain lifts are thus sending a strong signal for the future of the ski resort.

At the heart of the project is a crucial improvement to the route: The new 10-person gondola lift will extend directly to the Harschbichl summit (1,603 m). This eliminates the current mountain station at the Jodlalm, creating for the first time a continuous, comfortable connection all the way to the summit. "This is a real leap in quality for our ski area. We are creating a direct, high-performance route without detours or bottlenecks," emphasizes Managing Director Michael Gritsch.

The new gondola lift replaces the existing double chairlift from 1981, which had previously been a bottleneck in the ski area. With a capacity of up to 2,400 people per hour and a travel time of approximately seven minutes, the new system will provide significantly greater comfort and efficiency.

Maximum comfort – ideal for families and ski schools

The modern cabins offer a significant increase in comfort and safety. The new lift offers particular advantages for families and ski schools: while children couldn't ride alone on the previous two-seater chairlift, the gondola now allows for safe and easy use by families. This makes the Jodlalm truly family-friendly for the first time.

Optimized route planning and modern technology

As part of the new construction, the route will also be realigned: The valley station will be moved in a northwesterly direction, while the mountain station will be located further uphill, directly at the Harschbichl. This will significantly improve not only accessibility but also the connection to the existing ski slope network.

Sustainable implementation and accompanying measures

In addition to the new lift, the project also includes targeted adjustments to the ski slopes and extensive ecological compensation measures. The aim is to implement the project as gently as possible, in harmony with nature. The total investment is currently estimated at around 22 million euros. Commissioning is planned for the start of the season on December 6, 2026.

Majority shareholder KR Anton Pletzer: “With the new cable car, we are not only fulfilling a promise, but also opening a new chapter for the sustainable security and future of the St. Johann mountain lifts. This is the largest lift investment in the Kitzbühel district this year.”

Supervisory Board member Mayor Stefan Seiwald: “In good agreement with all parties involved, we have initiated this project, which is important for the company, and are now pleased with its implementation. The new cable car is scheduled to be operational in time for the upcoming winter season.”

TVB Chairman Josef Grander: “The new cable car is a significant upgrade to the offerings and, moreover, an important pillar for high-quality and sustainable year-round tourism. Accordingly, the entire region stands behind this flagship project.”

With the construction of the new lift, the era of the Jodlalm chairlift also comes to an end. However, a piece of its history can be preserved: the chairs from the existing lift will be available from mid-May. Those interested can pre-reserve their personal chair by emailing info@bergbahnen-stjohann.at