Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen Will Have New Managing Director, Peter Weichbold

Peter Weichbold is a proven financial expert with over 20 years of management experience at Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen. A business graduate, he began his career at the company as a controller and has been the company's authorized signatory since 2019. As Managing Director of Galsterbergalm Bahnen, he already has extensive management experience. A Schladming native, as a member of the board of Ski amadé, he has insights into the strategic challenges of one of Europe's largest winter sports resorts. Weichbold also has experience with major events, having played a key role in organizing the 2013 Alpine Ski World Championships.

After the long-standing and successful Planai Managing Director, Georg Bliem, announced his intention to retire around mid-2026, the advertisement for the management position was launched on July 12, 2025. The recruitment process was supported by the personnel consulting agency "Hill International" – from headhunting to presenting a shortlist to the five-member hearing committee. The committee consisted of representatives of the owner and Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen GmbH. Of all applicants, 59 met the advertisement criteria, of which six were nominated by the personnel consulting agency for the final round before the hearing committee. This round resulted in a shortlist of three candidates, from which Weichbold emerged as the designated candidate. As the responsible owner representative, Governor Mario Kunasek will follow the committee's recommendation and propose to the state government that Weichbold be appointed Managing Director at the next extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly of Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen. The takeover of management is planned for the end of the 2025/26 winter season.

"In Peter Weichbold, we have found a personality who brings decades of experience in the cable car business and tourism. I am firmly convinced that he will continue the company's successful path, established by Georg Bliem, in the Schladming-Dachstein region and beyond. I wish Peter Weichbold much success in his upcoming endeavors and thank him for his willingness to take on the great responsibility as Managing Director. At the same time, I would like to sincerely thank Georg Bliem for his tireless commitment to the Planai-Hochwurzen cable cars, which he has led with great passion since 2012 and which will now be handed over in an orderly manner next year," said Governor Mario Kunasek.

"With Peter Weichbold, we have succeeded in gaining an experienced professional to manage Styria's leading tourism company. He brings with him many years of experience in the cable car sector as authorized signatory of the Planaibahnen and managing director of the Galsterberg-Bahn, has extensive expertise in controlling, and knows the company and the region like the back of his hand. With him, the Planai will be in the best hands, and I look forward to our continued collaboration," said State Minister for Economic Affairs Willibald Ehrenhöfer.

The Planai-Hochwurzen cable cars are the largest mountain railway company in Styria and one of the five leading companies in Austria. They currently employ around 430 people and 20 apprentices, mostly from the region. The state of Styria holds a 61.83 percent stake in the cable cars.

With 2.01 million guests and its 31 cable cars and lifts, the company generates annual added value of €304 million. Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen's annual revenue is approximately €70 million. The company owns several mountains and business areas:

PHB umbrella brand: Planai, Hochwurzen, Galsterberg and Dachstein

• Management contract Wilder Berg Mautern
• Restaurants: Finale - Planai valley station, Dachstein Glacier Restaurant with Sky Bar, WESTend - Winter Sports Centre WEST
• Leisure facilities: Bikepark Schladming, Hopsiland Planai, Bankerlweg Hochwurzen, Dachstein with suspension bridge, Stairway to Nothingness and Dachstein Ladder to Heaven

The average total investment costs of the Planai-Hochwurzen cable cars are between €13 and €14 million net per year. Since 2015, a total of around €140 million has been invested in various projects.