Planai And Hauser Kaibling: 4-Mountain Ski Super Connection Officially Opened
The new 10-person gondola lift "Senderbahn Hauser Kaibling" and the 8-person chairlift "Mitterhausalm I" were officially opened with a festive ceremony.
Planai Managing Director Georg Bliem and Hauser Kaibling Managing Director Klaus Hofstätter welcomed Governor Mario Kunasek, Provincial Councillor Willibald Ehrenhöfer, the Mayor of Haus im Ennstal, Matthias Schwab, and the Mayor of Schladming, Hermann Trinker. They also welcomed Martin Leitner, owner of Leitner AG, and Sales Director Michael Tanzer, as well as Thomas Pichler, Managing Director of Doppelmayr Holding SE, together with Regional Sales Manager Peter Lingenhel.
Under the title "4-Mountain Ski Super Connection," the two new lifts will set new standards in comfort and quality this winter season, providing an even faster connection between Hauser Kaibling and Planai. Leitner's 10-person "Senderbahn Hauser Kaibling" gondola will whisk winter sports enthusiasts to the summit of Hauser Kaibling in just five minutes and, once fully operational, will transport up to 2,800 people per hour. The new 8-person "Mitterhausalm I" chairlift on Planai, with a capacity of 3,000 people per hour upon completion and a travel time of three minutes, ensures a quick and comfortable ascent.
“For our guests, the 4-Mountain Ski Super Connection represents a real quantum leap in terms of comfort, speed and quality. At the same time, this project shows that great things can be achieved together and that the cooperation of all involved sets new standards for winter sports enthusiasts,” said Hauser Kaibling Managing Director Klaus Hofstätter.
Director Georg Bliem, Managing Director of Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen, emphasized: “This project was truly special – two cable cars in a close proximity, which we successfully implemented thanks to the excellent cooperation of everyone involved. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed. It fills me with pride that we can now offer our guests an even better skiing experience in the Schladming 4-mountain ski area,” added Planai Managing Director Georg Bliem.
Governor Mario Kunasek praised the project as "an outstanding example of how dedicated cooperation in the region can achieve great things: Today is a day for celebration. With the opening of these two cable cars, true showpieces, we are enhancing winter tourism throughout the Schladming-Dachstein region. This prestigious project takes the Schladming 4-mountain ski area to a completely new level. It strengthens the region as a first-class, passionate, and future-oriented holiday destination. With the state-of-the-art 10-person gondola lift on Hauser Kaibling and the new 8-person chairlift on the Planai, we are entering a new era at the start of the 2025/26 winter season. For our guests, this means more quality, comfort, and experience. My sincere thanks go to everyone who was involved in the realization of this project – with every single planning step, every decision, every move on the construction site. And I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the landowners. Without your trust, your Openness and your willingness would never have made this milestone possible.”
Provincial Councillor Willibald Ehrenhöfer emphasized: “The Planai and Hauser Kaibling mountains have been important economic drivers for Styria for years: With this investment of 32 million euros, they are generating significant added value, securing numerous jobs, and delighting our guests from home and abroad. The new 4-Mountain Ski Super Connection will further enhance the quality of what's on offer. This interplay of economic strength and tourist appeal is of enormous importance – made possible by the prudent cooperation of all those involved on the Planai and Hauser Kaibling.”
Following the ecumenical blessing, guests were able to experience the new 10-person gondola lift "Senderbahn Hauser Kaibling" and the 8-person chairlift "Mitterhausalm I" during a first test ride. The day concluded with a relaxed culinary gathering, where guests could enjoy food and drinks to round off the opening day.
