Königsberg-Hollenstein Skilifte GmbH Goes Broke !
The future of skiing in the Ybbstal Alps has been plunged into uncertainty following the official filing of bankruptcy proceedings against Königsberg-Hollenstein Skilifte GmbH. The District Court of St. Pölten opened the formal Konkursverfahren (insolvency proceedings) on Monday, November 3, 2025, confirming the financial demise of the popular, family-friendly ski resort.
Reasons for insolvency (debtor's statements):
According to KSV1870, the business performed extremely poorly last winter. The 2024/2025 winter season was a complete failure. Since a cable car could only be operated for three days – 20 to 30 days are necessary for profitable operation – and summer operations were also unable to offset the financial losses of the past winter seasons, the necessary steps had to be taken in the form of the present bankruptcy petition.
According to the debtor, due to the poor forecast and lack of liquidity, continuing operations of the company is not possible.
“The debtor company has already given its consent to the closure in the bankruptcy petition. The insolvency administrator will now make the best possible use of the available assets,” said Brigitte Dostal, Head of KSV1870 Insolvency Vienna/Lower Austria/Burgenland.
The resort, which operates five drag lifts and one rope tow on the Königsberg, has informed authorities that a continuation of operations is not planned. This effectively confirms the permanent closure of the ski area, a devastating blow to local tourism and winter sports enthusiasts.
The primary cause of the insolvency is cited as the disastrous economic performance of recent winter seasons, heavily impacted by climate challenges. The Gläubigerschutzverband (creditor protection association) KSV1870 noted that during the critical 2024/2025 season, the lift facilities could only operate for three days. This was far below the required 20 to 30 days needed to achieve economic viability. Even the establishment of a popular summer bikepark was not enough to offset the massive losses accumulated during the winter months.
The financial details presented to the court underscore the severity of the crisis. The company reports liabilities (debts) totaling approximately €767,000, against assets of only around €120,000. The collapse affects seven employees directly, along with 43 creditors who are now forced to file claims.
Lawyer Christine Riess has been appointed as the insolvency administrator. Creditors have until December 30, 2025, to submit their outstanding claims. A final creditors’ assembly and review hearing is scheduled for January 13, 2026.
The bankruptcy follows a failed attempt by the operator to repurchase the facilities. The owner of the physical infrastructure, Wirtschaftspark Ybbstal GmbH, had extended a final ultimatum for the lift company to present a viable financing and repurchase concept by mid-November, a deadline that was overshadowed by the bankruptcy filing. The focus now shifts to the best possible utilization of the remaining assets, casting a long shadow over the upcoming winter season in the region.
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