Carinthia's lift co's invest 53 million euros for the ski season

New lifts, attractive family offers, and targeted support for young talent: With investments of around €53 million, Carinthia's cable car companies are setting the course for the 2026/27 winter season. Following approximately 3.3 million skiers last winter, the industry is focusing on modern infrastructure, affordable skiing, and the training of tomorrow's cable car technicians. The Koralm cable car will provide an additional boost, making Carinthia's ski resorts even more accessible by public transport.

The mountains are calling, and anticipation is building: Carinthia's ski resorts are preparing for the first turns on the slopes. Behind the scenes, preparations are in full swing. New lifts are being completed, and the slopes and facilities are being geared up for the winter season. This year, Carinthia's cable car companies are investing a total of around €53 million in modern infrastructure, energy-efficient technologies, and additional services for their guests. Skiing will begin soon on the Mölltal Glacier, while the other ski resorts in Carinthia are expected to open their slopes and lifts between the end of November and mid-December. The starting point is promising: last winter season saw around 3.3 million skiers. But Carinthia's cable cars transport far more than just winter sports enthusiasts up the mountain.

The Carinthian mountain lifts are looking back on an extremely successful 2026 summer season. An increase in visitors is expected compared to the previous year, which already saw more than 1.1 million summer guests. The season continues until November 1st at five of Carinthia's summer mountain lifts. Another highlight is coming up on the Gerlitzen Alpe: the new Kanzelbahn II lift will begin operating on October 23rd, 2026, with the official opening following on December 5th, 2026.

"Our cable cars are the backbone of Carinthian winter tourism and a crucial economic factor for many regions. A successful ski season also benefits the hotel, restaurant, retail, and numerous service industries. Every euro generated in ski operations triggers up to seven euros in additional added value. With investments of around 53 million euros, we are creating the conditions to remain competitive in the future."

It's not just about modern facilities and perfectly groomed slopes, but also about the people who ensure safe and smooth operation every day. "We need qualified specialists and young people who see their professional future in our industry. That's why training our own future cable car operators is just as important to us as the ongoing modernization of our ski resorts," emphasizes Josef Bogensperger Jr., Chairman of the Cable Car Division of the Carinthian Chamber of Commerce.

New lifts, more comfort: Things are happening in Carinthia's mountains.

Investments are flowing into new mountain lifts, such as the Tresdorfer Almbahn at Nassfeld, and the renewal of existing facilities like the Kanzelbahn II on the Gerlitzen Alpe and the Engländerlift on the Turracher Höhe, as well as into the modernization of existing facilities, snowmaking, and slope preparation. Photovoltaics and energy-efficient technologies also play an important role. Among the biggest innovations is the Tresdorfer Almbahn at Nassfeld. The new 6-seater chairlift is scheduled to go into operation in December 2026 and will replace three older drag lifts. With weather protection hoods, heated seats, and child safety features, it offers significantly more comfort. The infrastructure on the Gerlitzen Alpe is also undergoing comprehensive modernization. The new 10-person Kanzelbahn II gondola lift will replace the existing 4-seater chairlift between Kanzelhöhe and the summit. The new lift will open on schedule at the start of the autumn school holidays. There are also new developments in the restaurant sector: The new "HerBerg" restaurant will open directly at the summit at 1,911 meters in the former Gerlitzen summit lodge. The traditional Pöllingerhütte mountain hut, located at the summit descent, will also reopen. At Katschberg, the new 8-person Almbahn gondola lift, which opened in December 2025, is entering its second winter season. It improves access to the Aineck area and offers a modern, comfortable connection for winter sports enthusiasts.

On the Turracher Höhe, the Engländerlift (a T-bar lift instead of a platter lift) is being modernized, and the range of activities directly in the ski area is being expanded with the new WinterWonderLand. Snow slides, igloos, and other winter attractions complement the existing adventure areas. A new magic carpet lift is being installed on the Simonhöhe. "Those who want to be successful in the long term must continuously invest in quality, safety, and comfort. At the same time, it's essential to use energy as efficiently as possible and make our ski resorts economically viable for the future. The fact that businesses are investing so heavily despite high costs sends a strong signal for Carinthia as a winter tourism destination," emphasizes Bogensperger.

Skiing fun for every budget: Where families can save

In addition to new lifts and attractive slopes, affordability remains a key issue. Prices will rise by an average of three to five percent in the 2026/27 winter season. The range extends from day tickets costing up to €73 in large ski resorts to exceptionally affordable rates at smaller lift operators. For example, a day ticket at the Mühldorf ski lift in the Mölltal valley costs €10 for adults and €6.50 for children up to 14 years old. Family-friendly offers are also available at Weinebene, Bodental, Falkert-Heidi-Alm, and Hochrindl. At Nassfeld, children under ten can ski on Saturdays for €15 with the "Kids Surprise" day ticket. Katschberg also offers the "Katschi Superkids U10" day ticket for children born in 2016 or later on Saturdays throughout the season.

Successful Carinthian ski pass project – High demand

The Carinthian ski pass is particularly interesting for frequent skiers and families. What began in 1972 is now a unique success story in Austria: with just one pass, it grants access to 31 ski resorts in Carinthia and East Tyrol, offering a total of 845 kilometers of slopes and 262 cable cars and lifts. The Carinthian ski pass aims to make the joy of skiing accessible to as many people as possible. For families in particular, it's crucial that skiing remains financially predictable. “Online pre-sales are developing steadily, similar to last year, with a slight upward trend. Family packages remain the most popular, followed by partner packages and individual tickets. As of November 1, 2026, a slight increase compared to the previous year is expected. Regionally, around 92% of buyers come from Austria, with Carinthia being the strongest source market and a single-digit percentage from East Tyrol. The remaining buyers come predominantly from Slovenia, followed by Germany and a few CEE countries,” explains Hansjörg Pflauder, CEO of the Bad Kleinkirchheim cable car company. Together with Christian Krisper, CEO of the Nassfeld cable car company, he manages the Carinthian ski pass.

A total of 14 family packages are available, offering discounts of up to 25 percent compared to individual tickets. With the "Family with Many Children" package, four family members pay, and additional eligible children receive their ski passes free. Discounted packages are also available for grandparents with grandchildren and blended families. "Family life is diverse today. That's why it was important to us that this diversity is reflected in our offers. Whether it's parents with several children, grandparents with their grandchildren, or blended families – we want to make shared skiing experiences possible at attractive prices," emphasizes Pflauder.

Those who decide early save even more: An eight percent discount is available in the online super presale until November 1, 2026. Afterwards, the regular presale runs with a five percent discount until December 8, 2026. "The online super presale has started very well again this year. We are currently above last year's level. This shows us that there is great anticipation for the ski season and that our guests are taking advantage of the benefits of buying tickets early," reports Pflauder. The Carinthian ski pass is valid during the respective operating hours of the participating ski resorts until May 31, 2027.

Small ski resorts: Where tomorrow's ski careers begin

Smaller and medium-sized ski resorts play an important role in the future of skiing. Families with children, beginners, returning skiers, and active seniors especially appreciate manageable slopes, short distances, and a personal atmosphere.

“The strength of our smaller ski resorts lies not in having as many kilometers of slopes as possible, but in an uncomplicated and relaxed skiing experience. Children can safely make their first turns, parents can keep track of things more easily, and even older skiers appreciate our manageable areas where a day on the slopes doesn't have to become a competitive sport,” explains Alexandra Bresztowanszky, spokesperson for the small Carinthian ski resorts and managing director of Hochrindl Lifts.

Hochrindl, for example, demonstrates that "smaller" doesn't automatically mean "small." With around 20 kilometers of slopes, the ski area offers enough variety for a full day of skiing, while remaining manageable and personal. "This combination is precisely our strength: large enough for a varied day of skiing and at the same time compact enough for families, children, and older guests to feel comfortable."

Smaller ski resorts are particularly important for young skiers. Many children gain their first experience on skis here. "Children who have easy access to skiing and develop a love for it often remain involved in winter sports later in life. In this way, we make an important contribution to the skiers of tomorrow." At the same time, these ski resorts are important regional economic drivers. They secure jobs, strengthen restaurants, ski schools, and accommodation providers, and make winter sports possible even away from the major tourist centers.

Carinthian cable cars invite children to the slopes

A particular priority for the Carinthian cable car companies is to enable as many children and young people as possible to take up skiing. Therefore, this winter the Carinthian cable car companies are once again offering attractive school programs for skiing together.

From January 11th to 15th, 2027, third and fourth grade elementary school students can ski for free as part of an official school day.

There are also particularly favorable rates for multi-day school ski trips: Elementary school classes receive a 3-day ski pass for a total of €24 – that's only €8 per child per day. For students in fifth grade and above, the 5-day ski pass costs €60 – just €12 per day.

“With these initiatives, we deliberately want to get as many children as possible onto the slopes. Not every child has the opportunity to ski regularly with their family. Schools and school ski courses, in particular, can make it easier for them to get started and show children how much fun it can be to be active in the snow,” emphasizes Alexandra Bresztowanszky.

A promising career: From apprentice to plant manager

To ensure guests can continue to reach the mountains safely and comfortably, state-of-the-art technology is essential, as are skilled personnel who can operate it. Carinthia's cable car companies are therefore focusing on training their own specialists.

Currently, 22 young people in Carinthia are completing apprenticeships as cable car technicians, including two women. Six companies are currently offering this apprenticeship. The 3.5-year training program is comprehensive: in addition to mechanics, electrical engineering, and control technology, the curriculum includes system maintenance, troubleshooting, and safety inspections.

From apprentice to plant manager

Marco Möderndorfer exemplifies the career advancement opportunities that can arise from this. His career in the cable car industry began in September 2011 when, at the age of 17, he decided to pursue an apprenticeship as a cable car technician with the Nassfeld Pramollo AG cable car company. He remains particularly enthusiastic about the versatility of the profession and the outdoor work. "Then as now, I'm fascinated by the many facets of our profession – from mechanics, hydraulics, and metalworking to electrical engineering and control technology," he explains. After completing his apprenticeship, his career progressed rapidly: In April 2015, at just 21 years old, he took over the position of operations manager, making him the youngest cable car operations manager in Austria at the time. The rise from apprentice to manager also brought new challenges. He found the change in roles compared to his previous colleagues particularly exciting: "The most exciting thing for me as operations manager was learning how to manage the staff. I also had to learn how to interact appropriately with the colleagues with whom I had previously worked as an apprentice." Today, he is particularly fascinated by the rapid pace of technological progress and the opportunity to actively shape the development of cable car technology. His career path demonstrates that an apprenticeship in the cable car industry can pave the way to a technical management position.

Aspiring cable car technician aiming high

Manuela Wastl has been completing her apprenticeship as a cable car technician at Nassfeld since autumn 2024. Originally, she had a different career path in mind, but through various internships and her father's profession, she discovered her passion for the cable car industry.

"I initially wanted to attend an agricultural school, but after several internships, I decided to train as a cable car technician. An important factor in my decision was that my father's job as a machine operator and snowmaker at Nassfeld gave me valuable insights. After an internship, I knew that I would really enjoy the profession of cable car technician."

She particularly appreciates the varied tasks and diverse training opportunities at the Hallein State Vocational School. She also sees her professional future in the cable car industry. She can imagine becoming an operations manager one day. She views working in a male-dominated profession as both a challenge and an opportunity: "I really enjoy the extensive and varied nature of our job. Monotony wouldn't suit me. That's why I want to continue working as a cable car technician after my apprenticeship, especially since there are also opportunities for advancement. Becoming an operations manager would be really cool. In our predominantly male profession, it's definitely a challenge to assert yourself as one of the few women. But if you show determination and convey that you really want it, it works very well, and you have every chance."

Get to the slopes faster with the Koralm Railway

New perspectives are opening up not only on the mountains themselves, but also in the journey there. Since December 2025, the Koralm Railway has connected Graz and Klagenfurt in just 41 minutes. The train journey from Graz to Villach takes around 65 minutes. This brings Carinthia's ski resorts significantly closer for winter sports enthusiasts from Styria. Public transport to the Gerlitzen Alpe is particularly convenient: From Villach, take the S-Bahn (suburban train) to Annenheim, where the valley station of the Kanzelbahn cable car is located right next to the train station. The 20-hour Gerlitzen season ticket already includes travel to and from the resort on ÖBB S-Bahn trains within Carinthia. So, if desired, your ski day can begin without the hassle of searching for parking.

For industry group chairman Bogensperger, it is clear that the sector must be well-positioned beyond the coming season: “Our goal is to continue developing winter sports in Carinthia successfully in the long term. This includes financially sound businesses, modern infrastructure, affordable offers, and above all, qualified employees. By investing in technology and training today, we are laying the foundation for our ski resorts to remain attractive leisure activities and important employers in the regions in the future.”