Carinthia Lift Co’s - 55 Million Euros Invested
From the first gondola ride at dawn to the last carving turn in the evening light: Carinthia's cable car companies are starting the 2025/26 winter season with full energy. Around 55 million euros have been invested in innovative technology, new lifts, and climate-friendly systems. Thanks to the quick accessibility of the Koralmbahn, which connects Carinthia's ski areas even more closely with Styria, the winter experience will be more comfortable, more sustainable—and more attractive than ever.
When the first snow falls in Carinthia, it not only brings joy to winter sports enthusiasts, but also an economic boost. Because skiing is far more than just a recreational activity. It is a key driver of value creation for the state. In the 2024/25 winter season, around 3.3 million skiers enjoyed Carinthia's slopes – from Heiligenblut and Nassfeld to Bad Kleinkirchheim and the Weinebene. Winter tourism not only provides sporting experiences, but also full order books for the catering, hotel, retail, and transport industries. "Every euro generated by skiing generates up to seven euros of additional value creation in the state," emphasizes Josef Bogensperger Jr., Chairman of the Cable Cars Section of the Carinthian Chamber of Commerce. "In this way, we secure thousands of jobs in the valleys and regions."
Carinthian cable cars invested around 55 million euros in modern infrastructure, photovoltaic systems, energy-efficient snowmaking, and climate-friendly technologies. "This represents a clear commitment to climate protection, quality, and regional value creation. Our goal is to gradually make the ski areas energy self-sufficient," explains Bogensperger. "We are committed to sustainable electricity production, intelligent snowmaking systems, and efficient mobility. Carinthia should also be a pioneer in climate protection in winter tourism." Despite the high investments, price levels remain stable. Ski pass prices are only rising by an average of three to five percent. Skiing remains affordable in Carinthia – in Mühldorf, for example, starting from just eight euros per day.
With the opening of the Koralmbahn cable car, the railway will bring ski and winter sports fans directly to the slopes. Starting December 14, the journey from Graz to the Gerlitzen mountain takes just 80 minutes. The journey from Graz main station to Villach main station takes 66 minutes. After a short transfer to the S-Bahn, it's another 10 minutes to Annenheim station, just a stone's throw from the gondola. Thanks to the cooperation between Gerlitzen Alpe and ÖBB, winter sports enthusiasts can now travel comfortably, affordably, and in an environmentally friendly way. Ski passes and train tickets can be easily booked online and perfectly combined via the railway's new digital leisure marketplace. Holders of the climate ticket travel free of charge and receive a seven-euro discount on the day ticket. Those who buy a return ticket between Graz and Villach can save up to 15% on the ski pass. Bogensperger: "With the Koralmbahn cable car, the Gerlitzen is closer to everyone – for Styrians as well as Carinthians. Simply arrive by train, go directly to the gondola, and save yourself the hassle of looking for a parking space – starting your skiing adventure has never been so relaxing."
Guests can look forward to numerous innovations in the 2025/26 winter season. At Katschberg, a modern gondola with an energy-efficient drive will replace the old triple Aineck chairlift. The accessible cabins offer eight heated seats and comfortably transport winter sports enthusiasts to 2,220 meters above sea level. Nassfeld, Carinthia's largest ski area, also faces a milestone: In December 2025, the new Gartnerkofelbahn cable car will go into operation – a 10-seater cable car that will replace the existing quad chairlift.
The focus of investments by Carinthian ski resorts is clearly on energy efficiency and climate protection. Bad Kleinkirchheim, Gerlitzen, and Katschberg are installing large-scale photovoltaic systems to supply lift operations, pumping stations, and EV charging stations with their own solar power in the future. At the same time, snowmaking systems are being modernized to optimize water and energy consumption. Many ski resorts are also investing in their vehicle fleets, particularly in new snow groomers and piste groomers. The Goldeck region is expanding its offerings with new runs such as the "Seeblick" and "Glockner" slopes, as well as the spectacular "S1" – the longest black run in the Alps.
In addition to technology, Carinthia's cable cars also focus on providing a quality experience. New gastronomic highlights such as "Goldalm – Mountain Dining" on the Goldeck and modernized huts on the Simonhöhe and Weinebene ensure culinary diversity of the highest quality. New adventure areas are being created for families and children, such as "Nocky's Snow Time" on the Turrach and the completely renovated children's snow land on the Falkert. In addition, the regions are focusing on event and leisure activities to make winter holidays even more attractive, including the "Night Ride to the Full Moon" in Bad Kleinkirchheim (December 5, 2025; 2026: January 3, February 1 & March 3), the "Snowboard World Cup" on the Simonhöhe (January 23 & 24, 2026) and Austria's highest Christmas market on the Petzen (December 6, 7, 13, 14 and 20, 2025).
The Carinthian Ski Pass remains a successful project. "The digital purchase option for all ski pass variants introduced last year was used by almost all of our customers. Carinthian ski pass buyers greatly appreciate the convenience of being able to conveniently purchase or reload their season ski pass online. This year, the online super presale has also had a very good start. We are currently seeing an increase in online sales compared to last year," says a pleased Hansjörg Pflauder. Pflauder, who is a member of the board of Bad Kleinkirchheimer Bergbahnen, is responsible for the management of the Carinthian Ski Pass together with Christian Krisper (Board Member of Nassfeld Mountain Railways). "The online super presale with the lowest prices offered runs until November 1, 2025. General presales at the ski resorts' lift ticket offices and online run until December 8, 2025," Pflauder explains. The Carinthian Ski Pass is valid until May 31, 2026. As every year, the family and partner packages are particularly popular. The grandparent packages and offers for patchwork families, launched for the second time this year, are also very popular. "This is our response to the strong desire among buyers that grandparents who go skiing with their grandchildren as children can enjoy the same price savings as parents, and that patchwork families who don't live under the same roof can also benefit from the family advantages," emphasizes Skipass Managing Director Pflauder.
Carinthia's smaller ski resorts are indispensable pillars of winter tourism. They score points with their family-friendly atmosphere, short distances, and affordable prices. "They are the soul of Carinthian winter tourism. Without them, winter sports would lose their foundation. They are learning centers where children and families can discover skiing – in a safe environment and at affordable prices. In addition, the short access routes, cozy huts, and authentic surroundings ensure stress-free skiing fun without crowds," summarizes Alexandra Bresztowanszky, Managing Director of Bergbahnen Hochrindl, which offers ski resorts with 2 to 20 kilometers of slopes. In addition, winter sports promote physical and mental health. "Hochrindl stands for clarity, comfort, and personal attention – and all this with slope quality just as good as in larger ski resorts," explains Bresztowanszky. "That's why we're especially popular with families, beginners, those returning to skiing, and seniors. We're also one of Carinthia's most important training centers—even number one for elementary schools." Numerous special events will ensure variety and a winter atmosphere on the Hochrindl during the coming season: "During the school holidays, there will be night skiing (December 28, 2025; 2026: January 3, February 4, February 11, and February 18). On January 25, the Carinthian Family Ski Day will take place, complete with free fun on the slopes, followed by the popular Ladies' Day on February 21. Finally, the Nostalgia Ski Day on March 7 will provide a real retro feeling and reminisce about the good old days of skiing."
Among the most affordable ski areas are the Hrast ski paradise, with a day ticket for adults for €29 and for children for €22, as well as the Bodental, where adults pay €33 and children for a day ski pass for €26, and €8 for the baby lift. The Weinebene, Koralm, and Falkert-Heidi-Alm also offer family-friendly rates and child-friendly offers. At the Petzen and Klippitztörl, families also benefit from attractive discounts, combination tickets, and special promotions for children. Nassfeld offers a real highlight: on Saturdays, children under ten can enjoy the slopes all season long with the "Kids Surprise Day Ticket" for €10. The Katschbergbahnen and Gerlitzen lifts offer a similar pricing model for everyone under ten. The Saturday ticket is available at Katschberg for €15 and at Gerlitzen for €14. Heiligenblut is the only ski resort in Carinthia to once again use "Dynamic Pricing." Those who buy their ski tickets online early benefit from attractive prices; the system rewards early bookers.
A particular concern of the industry is the promotion of young talent. Together with the state of Carinthia, affordable school ski promotions will be offered again in 2025/26. Bresztowanszky emphasizes: "Promoting young skiers is very important to us. For elementary schools, there is a free ski day – formerly known as 'Adventure Day in the Snow' – between January 12 and 16, 2026, including a free day pass. Registration is open until December 12, 2025. There is also a 3-day package for only €21. The winter sports weeks for older school levels (NMS, AHS, BMHS, BS, etc.) are also once again an integral part of the program: They receive a ski pass for a five-day ski course as part of winter sports weeks (overnight stay in a Carinthian accommodation) for only €11 per day."
The cable car industry is experiencing extremely dynamic development, not only technically but also in the educational sector. More and more young people are discovering their passion for careers related to modern cable car systems. It's particularly encouraging that the proportion of women is continuously increasing, as is the case in the Bad Kleinkirchheim ski area. Pflauder says: "We employ three women in the technical field. One of them is deputy operations manager, another completed a second-chance apprenticeship as a cable car technician. And the third is currently completing her fourth year of training – also as a cable car technician. This shows that the cable car industry is no longer a male domain, but a modern workplace with a future. We cable car companies invest heavily in the skilled workers of tomorrow."
