Austria's Best Summer Mountain Railways Have Successful Summer 2025
Austria's Best Summer Mountain Lifts have drawn a positive conclusion for the 2025 mountain summer season. Despite challenging weather conditions, member companies are satisfied with the season's performance. Rising visitor numbers and revenues, as well as the growing importance of the off-season, confirm the trend towards becoming a year-round mountain destination. According to a flash survey conducted by the Austrian Cable Car Association among 40 experts from member companies, over 72.5 percent rated the summer season as "satisfied" or "very satisfied."
The economic results are robust: 42.5 percent of respondents reported an increase in visitor numbers, and 67.5 percent also saw an increase in revenue. "The Best Austrian Summer Mountain Lifts can look back on a season with numerous highlights – both in terms of product development and guest satisfaction," explains Kornel Grundner, spokesperson for the Best Austrian Summer Mountain Lifts. "Experience quality and family offers remain the strongest drivers, while events generate additional visitors and boost added value."
New and expanded themed and adventure trails, such as the Grünbergbande, Hopsiland Planai, the Path of the Planets on the Kanzelhöhe, the new stations in the KaiserWald, and the new Locandy audio adventure in Gerlos, were particularly well received. Event formats like "Body, Mind and Mountains," family festivals, summer concerts, alpine yoga, and fondue evenings on the Zugspitze also boosted visitor numbers. New experience areas like the Panorama Shell on the Steinplatte and the SkyRide in Mayrhofen underscore how strongly innovation and high-quality offerings shape summer tourism.
Autumn as a growth season – summer operations will be longer
The extended opening hours of many summer mountain lifts demonstrate a clear trend: Autumn is gaining further importance in mountain tourism. The majority of operations now run from May to November – some pioneers even started their summer season as early as March. Around a tenth deliberately extended their operating hours in 2025 – to capitalize on the increasing demand during the autumn school holidays, especially from Bavaria and Austria, and to mitigate the impact of periods of inclement weather. "For cable car companies in Austria, extended summer operation has long been part of their strategy: It strengthens capacity utilization, employee retention, and added value," confirms Franz Hörl, Chairman of the Cable Car Association at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.
Sustainability remains a key quality criterion.
Austria's mountain railways are among the pioneers of sustainable tourism, both in summer and winter. This is also demonstrated by the latest sustainability survey of Austria's best summer mountain railways: 73 percent of member companies pursue concrete sustainability goals, and more than half regularly measure key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of their measures. Nearly 60 percent have their own sustainability officers – a sign that the topic is strategically anchored in management.
Energy remains a key focus: 85 percent of businesses source their electricity from 100 percent renewable sources, and 78 percent operate their own photovoltaic systems. Simultaneously, collaborations at the industry level are being expanded: With the "Summit Charter," the summer mountain lift operators have created a joint commitment to respectful behavior on the mountain – in cooperation with initiatives such as Respect Your Limits, Mountain World Tyrol, and In Our Nature. The cooperation with the KlimaTicket Ö ("One for Mountain and Valley") is also developing successfully: Guests benefit from a 10 percent discount on mountain and valley rides in the summer at 52 participating businesses – a contribution to climate-friendly mobility and sustainable vacation planning.
Outlook 2026: Anniversaries, Innovation and Quality
2026 will be a historic year for the Austrian cable car industry. The entire sector will celebrate 100 years of cable cars in Austria. The Tyrolean Zugspitze cable car and the Rax cable car began operating in 1926, while the Pfänder cable car, the Feuerkogel cable car, and the Schmittenhöhe cable car were built in the same year. The "Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways" quality seal will also celebrate its 25th anniversary. Furthermore, the range of experiences offered has continued to develop: Tyrol's first Ninja Park at 2,020 meters in Hochoetz, the expansion of the Westendorf marble run, and the barrier-free conversion of the cable car to the Hohe Salve demonstrate the direction things are heading: more quality, inclusion, and diversity on the mountain.
About the quality seal “Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways”
The "Best Austrian Summer Mountain Lifts" seal of approval is an initiative of the Austrian Cable Car Association (Austrian Federal Economic Chamber) and stands for quality, cooperation, and sustainable regional development. The seal unites the experts and pioneers of Austrian summer mountain tourism and now boasts 82 members with 100 themed mountains. Only businesses that meet at least 100 quality criteria become one of the Best Austrian Summer Mountain Lifts. Specializing in five thematic areas – Adventure, Family, Panorama & Nature Experience, Culinary Delights, and Art & Culture – members must undergo recertification every three years. A diverse range of experiences is guaranteed – which is why the seal of approval has become an important factor for holidaymakers when choosing a destination. (PWK447/DFS)
