Hauser Kaibling And Planai: Groundbreaking Ceremony For Two New Cable Cars Held

From the 2025/26 winter season, the 10-seater gondola “Senderbahn Hauser Kaibling” and the 8-seater chairlift “Mitterhausalm I” will ensure seamless skiing enjoyment between Hauser Kaibling and Planai.

In the presence of Governor Mario Kunasek, representatives of the market town of Haus im Ennstal and the city of Schladming, as well as the officials of the two ski mountains Hauser Kaibling and Planai, the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for two pioneering cable car projects in the four-mountain Schladming ski area took place. With the new 10-seater gondola "Senderbahn Hauser Kaibling" and the 8-seater chairlift "Mitterhausalm I" on the Planai, the connection between the two ski mountains will be faster, more comfortable, and more efficient starting in the 2025/26 winter season.

"With today's groundbreaking ceremony, we are setting an important milestone for the further development of winter tourism in Styria. The new lifts will not only elevate the Schladming 4-mountain ski area to a new level, but will also strengthen the entire Schladming-Dachstein region as a first-class holiday destination. I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved in making this project a reality. A very special thank you goes to the landowners. Without them, this milestone would not have been possible ," said Governor Mario Kunasek.

The existing lifts, the Sonneckbahn on the Planai and the Senderbahn on the Hauser Kaibling, completed the four-mountain ski circuit in 1998 and have served the area well ever since. Now, a new era is ushering in. "Our guests love moving from mountain to mountain within the Schladming four-mountain ski circuit. However, the connection between Hauser Kaibling and Planai was increasingly reaching its limits. With the new lifts, we are jointly setting new standards in comfort, speed, and skiing experience starting next winter ," says Planai Managing Director Georg Bliem.

Hauser Kaibling Managing Director Klaus Hofstätter sees the new lifts as a significant step for the four-mountain ski area: "The 10-seater 'Senderbahn Hauser Kaibling' gondola and the '8-seater Mitterhausalm I' chairlift represent a common vision that we share as ski mountains: to offer our guests an incomparable skiing experience. Construction work is now beginning – busy months lie ahead for all of us – and I'm already looking forward to opening the lifts together at the start of the 2025/26 winter season."

10-seater gondola lift “Senderbahn Hauser Kaibling”

The Senderbahn cable car on the Hauser Kaibling is being replaced by a modern 10-passenger gondola from Leitner. When fully completed, it will have a capacity of 2,800 passengers per hour and, with a speed of 6 m/s, provide a significantly faster connection. Winter sports enthusiasts can reach the Sender plateau in less than five minutes, just one lift ride from the highest point of the four-mountain ski area.

The decision to replace the quad chairlift with this more powerful gondola was prompted by the topography of the terrain and the desire to shorten travel times. Particularly advantageous are the aerodynamic shape of the gondola, which makes it less susceptible to wind, and the ski quivers inside, which make boarding and disembarking much easier, especially for families.

8-seater chairlift “Mitterhausalm I”

Doppelmayr's new 8-seater "Mitterhausalm I" chairlift on the Planai replaces the existing 4-seater "Sonneck" chairlift and offers an even faster and more comfortable connection. With a capacity of 3,000 passengers per hour when fully completed and a ride time of just three minutes, long wait times are a thing of the past. Heated seats, covers, and comfortable upholstery ensure maximum comfort, even on cold winter days.

A particularly practical feature is the conveyor belt in the boarding area, which makes boarding much easier for the ascent. Lockable footrests between the legs ensure additional safety during the ride, which is especially beneficial for children.