Renovations are under way for the Kohlmais cable car
Exciting new developments are coming to the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn! Earlier this year, the Skicircus announced that it planned to invest in updating the Kohlmais cable car. If you’re the nostalgic type, take note: this winter will be the last opportunity to ride the classic old ski lift before it is completely rebuilt in the summer of 2018. The route will be almost the same, but plans for the brand-new, high-speed cable car include an increased capacity and improved facilities. This updated Kohlmais cable car is expected to be up and running in time for the 2018 ski season.
The existing Kohlmais cable car (built in 1989) at the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn will be converted into a modern 10-passenger gondola lift. The new middle station will be built 30 metres to the west of the current station, making it possible to begin construction already. According to representatives at the ski resort, there will also be a new underground car park with 100 parking spaces installed at the valley station in Saalbach, as well as a new garage for the piste bashers. The new Kohlmaisgipfelbahn will have a capacity of 4200 passengers per hour and the ride to the Kohlmaiskopf at 1794m will take just under 7 minutes.
Location of the Kohlmais cable car at Saalbach
The grand opening of the new Kohlmaisgipfelbahn is projected for December 2018. In total, 30 million euros will be invested in the project. The construction is already well underway. At the time of writing, the three-storey middle station, begun in the summer, was almost complete.
The old Kohlmaiskopf cable car is an integral part of history at Saalbach Hinterglemm. For a long time, the iconic red cable car was the figurehead of the ski area – but it goes even further back than that. In fact, the Saalbach ski lift company was originally founded in 1945 with the original Kohlmaisbahn. On February 17, 1946, the valley’s very first ski lift opened on the southern slope of the Kohlmaiskopf. At 1800m, it was the longest ski lift in Austria and could carry 120 people per hour – quite impressive for the era!
Schönleiten cable car © Saalbach
© Saalbach
Facts and figures about the new Kohlmaisbahn |
|
|---|---|
| Mountain station: Kohlmaiskopf | Length: 2360 m |
| Altitude at top: 1794 m | Altitude gain: appr. 800m |
| Speed: 6m/s | Journey time: appr. 7 min. |
| Chair capacity: 10 people | Lift capacity: 4200 people per hour |
| Number of gondolas: TBA | Location:Saalbach Hinterglemm |
The Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is already a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders, with 270km of slopes and a lively après-ski scene. Thanks to its relatively recent partnership with Fieberbrunn, the Skicircus is now one of the largest ski areas in Austria. The ski area offers skiing and snowboarding on sunny south-facing slopes, challenging north-facing slopes and 16 valley runs. Expert skiers after a challenge can sink their teeth into the black pistes, some of which measure as much as 3km. Snow cover is ensured thanks to the numerous snow cannons.
Renovations are under way for the Kohlmais cable car
Exciting new developments are coming to the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn! Earlier this year, the Skicircus announced that it planned to invest in updating the Kohlmais cable car. If you’re the nostalgic type, take note: this winter will be the last opportunity to ride the classic old ski lift before it is completely rebuilt in the summer of 2018. The route will be almost the same, but plans for the brand-new, high-speed cable car include an increased capacity and improved facilities. This updated Kohlmais cable car is expected to be up and running in time for the 2018 ski season.
The existing Kohlmais cable car (built in 1989) at the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn will be converted into a modern 10-passenger gondola lift. The new middle station will be built 30 metres to the west of the current station, making it possible to begin construction already. According to representatives at the ski resort, there will also be a new underground car park with 100 parking spaces installed at the valley station in Saalbach, as well as a new garage for the piste bashers. The new Kohlmaisgipfelbahn will have a capacity of 4200 passengers per hour and the ride to the Kohlmaiskopf at 1794m will take just under 7 minutes.
Location of the Kohlmais cable car at Saalbach
The grand opening of the new Kohlmaisgipfelbahn is projected for December 2018. In total, 30 million euros will be invested in the project. The construction is already well underway. At the time of writing, the three-storey middle station, begun in the summer, was almost complete.
The old Kohlmaiskopf cable car is an integral part of history at Saalbach Hinterglemm. For a long time, the iconic red cable car was the figurehead of the ski area – but it goes even further back than that. In fact, the Saalbach ski lift company was originally founded in 1945 with the original Kohlmaisbahn. On February 17, 1946, the valley’s very first ski lift opened on the southern slope of the Kohlmaiskopf. At 1800m, it was the longest ski lift in Austria and could carry 120 people per hour – quite impressive for the era!
Schönleiten cable car © Saalbach
© Saalbach
Facts and figures about the new Kohlmaisbahn |
|
|---|---|
| Mountain station: Kohlmaiskopf | Length: 2360 m |
| Altitude at top: 1794 m | Altitude gain: appr. 800m |
| Speed: 6m/s | Journey time: appr. 7 min. |
| Chair capacity: 10 people | Lift capacity: 4200 people per hour |
| Number of gondolas: TBA | Location:Saalbach Hinterglemm |
The Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is already a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders, with 270km of slopes and a lively après-ski scene. Thanks to its relatively recent partnership with Fieberbrunn, the Skicircus is now one of the largest ski areas in Austria. The ski area offers skiing and snowboarding on sunny south-facing slopes, challenging north-facing slopes and 16 valley runs. Expert skiers after a challenge can sink their teeth into the black pistes, some of which measure as much as 3km. Snow cover is ensured thanks to the numerous snow cannons.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
