Upper Austrian Cable Car Holding Company Takes Over Wurbauerkogel – New Cable Car & Year-round Operation

The Wurbauerkogel adventure mountain in Windischgarsten has been offering attractive recreational opportunities for locals and visitors to the region for decades, thus representing an important tourist infrastructure for the Pyhrn-Priel region and for Upper Austria. As the existing cable car system had reached the end of its technical lifespan, the State of Upper Austria commissioned the OÖ. Seilbahnholding (Upper Austrian Cable Car Holding) to develop a sustainable development concept for the operation of the tourist infrastructure on the Wurbauerkogel.

"The current concept to further increase the attractiveness and competitiveness as well as the positioning of the Wurbauerkogel includes, in addition to maintaining the existing leisure and adventure offerings, the reconstruction of the cable car system and a holistic development of the biking offering. For the concrete implementation, the OÖ. Seilbahnholding will take over the Wurbauerkogel, thereby further strengthening its offering as a year-round destination," announced Governor Thomas Stelzer, Markus Achleitner, State Councilor for Economic Affairs and Tourism, and Michael Lindner, State Councilor for Municipal Affairs.

Over the next 12 months, a new 4-seater chairlift with a special bike transport system will be built, allowing bikes to be transported comfortably and safely up the mountain.

"The Wurbauerkogel is a popular destination for families, hikers, and especially bikers. It ideally complements the existing locations of the Upper Austrian Cable Car Holding – Dachstein West, Feuerkogel, Grünberg, and Dachstein Krippenstein. The adventure mountain offers a valuable addition to the offering, especially in the biking and summer areas. The Upper Austrian Cable Car Holding is thus providing additional impetus for the region's tourism development," emphasizes Governor Stelzer.

"With more than one million guests annually and multiple awards as a leading company in Upper Austrian mountain tourism, the OÖ. Seilbahnholding is not only strengthening the tourist appeal of the Pyhrn-Priel region with the acquisition of the Wurbauerkogel, but also its own year-round offering. In doing so, the OÖ. Seilbahnholding is also implementing the objective of the new Upper Austrian state tourism strategy, the further expansion of year-round tourism," emphasizes State Councilor Achleitner.

"The preservation and further development of the lift system and the Wurbauerkogel tourist destination are an important stimulus for the municipality of Windischgarsten and the entire Pyhrn-Priel region. The good cooperation between the state and municipalities on an equal footing demonstrates how regional investments give rural areas a future and secure jobs," said State Councilor Michael Lindner.

"With the acquisition of the Wurbauerkogel, we are taking another important step toward becoming a year-round destination and offering our guests even more variety and quality of experience. The adventure mountain enriches our portfolio and supports our vision of a comprehensive 365-day leisure offering," explains Rupert Schiefer, Managing Director and Board Member of the OÖ-Seilbahnholding.

"The positive decision of the Upper Austrian state government and the cable car holding company to build a new chairlift to the Wurbauerkogel is a great joy for both the population and me as mayor. Thanks to the cooperation of all those involved, across party lines, we were able to achieve our goal and thus make a valuable contribution to the development of our region.
I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this project for their commitment and work," said Bernhard Rieser, Mayor of Windischgarsten.

The tourism development concept for the Wurbauerkogel in Windischgarsten envisages an investment program with a maximum volume of €11.15 million, financially supported by the State of Upper Austria and the municipality of Windischgarsten. It includes the following implementation measures:

• New construction of the cable car system in the form of a detachable 4-seater chairlift including a facility for bicycle transport as well as cable car stations and other necessary operating premises,
• Construction of a bike shop with rental in the valley station of the cable car including storage rooms,
• Expansion of the bike park and extension of the route offering for different target groups,
• Construction of an adventure playground in the area of ​​the mountain station,
• Construction of additional parking areas as well as public toilets and sanitary facilities in the area of ​​the valley station.