Styrian cable car industry conference takes place in Obdach

The Styrian cable car industry conference took place in Obdach. This year, the focus was on those who often go unnoticed: the small ski resorts. They serve as training grounds for young skiers, meeting places for families and clubs, and are considered essential for local winter sports. At the conference, experts exchanged ideas on the opportunities and challenges facing family-oriented ski resorts. The keynote speaker was ski legend Renate Götschl, who learned to ski not far from the conference venue.

Her career exemplifies the path from the magic carpet to the World Championship slopes: Ski legend Renate Götschl attended the Styrian cable car industry conference in Obdach on September 8, 2026, as a guest of honor and speaker. She came to the magnificent region where she made her first turns. "The first step to top-level sport is the training slope – and these are often only available in smaller ski resorts. When children can walk to the lift and then see someone skiing through the gates on the big slope: that's when passion is ignited," the sports legend explained. "Small ski resorts are the local hubs; they are indispensable," emphasized Daniel Berchthaller, Chairman of the Cable Car Association in the Styrian Chamber of Commerce, several times at the conference, which this year focused entirely on the "small" resorts that achieve great things. Family ski resorts are an important part of the Styrian cable car network, which comprises a total of 14 gondola lifts, around 80 ski areas, and approximately 1,000 kilometers of slopes. Berchthaller emphasized that the 4.1 million first-time visits to Styria each year don't even include many rides on drag lifts. "We're underestimating ourselves," Berchthaller appealed to the drag lift operators: "Please record your data correctly... so that the numbers can still increase!"

Big supports small

To ensure that small ski resorts can continue to fulfill their role as "talent incubators for winter sports," the necessary framework conditions are essential, all experts at the industry conference agreed. Peter Lingenhel, regional sales manager for Doppelmayr, demonstrated that support can also come from much larger players. While the world market leader in cable car technology is not supposedly dependent on small ski resorts as clients, the company nevertheless sees its responsibility particularly in the heart of winter sports. "In small ski resorts, enthusiasm for winter sports is born," Lingenhel emphasized. "They are also important social meeting places for families, clubs, and schools." Of the company's approximately 100 to 120 customer projects annually, roughly ten to fifteen still involve new ski lifts. The company also supports the modernization of existing systems, even if they were originally manufactured by other companies. "A completely new system isn't always necessary," Lingenhel explained. "With upcycling, we give lift systems a second life."

Winter sports as a question of quality of life

Klaus Grabler from the market research institute Manova then offered a slightly different perspective on the significance of cable cars. He posed the question of what actually constitutes quality of life and identified four areas to which cable cars make a significant contribution: experiencing nature, leisure and recreation, community, and economic strength and jobs. Smaller ski resorts, the expert noted, score particularly well on all levels. Winter sports and tourism generate added value, jobs, and a functioning infrastructure in the regions – and they bring people together. A look at the figures reveals how people perceive the mountain experience and what they enjoy most when vacationing in the mountains: 35 to 40% of Styrians up to the age of 70 actively participate in winter sports, and 64% of the total population find skiing "cool." 74% of overnight guests in Styrian mountain regions come for skiing and snowboarding, while 40% go hiking. "Summer and alternative mountain activities are becoming more relevant, but winter sports remain the main driving force," Grabler emphasized.

Technology: simpler, but still safe

Also relevant for smaller ski resorts is a planned regulation on construction projects that do not require permits, reported Christian Felder from the technical committee. This regulation aims to allow certain modifications and adaptations to existing facilities without the need for a complex cable car permitting process, but of course, under clearly defined conditions and still with expert review, documentation, and technical responsibility. The goal is to simplify and accelerate procedures without lowering the high safety standards of cable car technology. He also addressed safety during operations and maintenance as another key focus. Crucial to this is the smooth interaction between people, machines, and organization. "Identify hazards, implement mitigation measures, and document them," is his central recommendation.

New technological developments such as automated, unmanned stations and the revised fire protection requirements also show where things are headed: Cable car technology is becoming ever more efficient and flexible, but the responsibility for safe operation remains.

100 years of cable cars: Austria-wide campaign

In closing, Nadine Illetschko from the Austrian Cable Car Association gave an overview of current industry and association topics – from changes to the collective bargaining agreement and energy efficiency and sustainability reporting to training and employer branding. The focus, however, was on a major anniversary: ​​Between June 2026 and January 2028, several Austrian cable car companies will celebrate their 100th anniversary. The association plans to combine these individual anniversaries into a joint, nationwide campaign. "This is a unique opportunity that we must seize," said Illetschko. Under the name "Centennial Ticket," 100 tickets will also be raffled off, granting access to all Austrian cable cars for one year. The anniversary celebration aims to raise awareness of the history and achievements of an industry that is at the heart of Styrian tourism.

Looking back on the Styrian cable car conference, Daniel Berchthaller summarizes: “It was a complete success; the exchange between the large and small ski resorts in Styria is excellent, and both sides benefit from these discussions. Strengthening and preserving the smaller resorts in Styria is essential for the future of our skiers.”