Silvrettaseilbahn AG is investing 50 million euros in 2025/26 and more than 100 million euros in 2027
Construction is underway in Ischgl – this year and next year, 50 million euros will be invested in the replacement or construction of three lifts. In 2027, the main feeder Silvrettabahn will then be renewed - this will cost more than 100 million euros.
The largest single investment to date
The Silvrettabahn, the main Feeder Lift to the Ischgl ski area, will be renewed in 2027 – this will be SSAG's largest single investment to date.
Silvrettaseilbahn AG is coming up with innovations for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 winter seasons:
The Höllboden C1 chairlift (new: 4,200 people per hour) and the Sassgalun C3 chairlift (new: 3,400 people per hour) will be renewed, with the previous facilities in See and Fieberbrunn being rebuilt
In the summer of 2026, the Höllkar C2 (4,200 people per hour) will be added, another 8-seater D-Line chairlift with weather protection hood and heated seats.
The Höllbodenbahn station will also be adapted to make it usable for the concerts (storage space, infrastructure, etc.), so that the effort for stage construction will be reduced.
These three facilities have transported a total of a good 83 million winter sports enthusiasts since they were put into operation.
Silvrettaseilbahn AG is investing 50 million euros in the three new facilities and thus in improving the comfort of the ski area. A total of more than 1,200 square metres of photovoltaic modules with a total output of 274.5 kWp will be installed on all roofs of the new cable car systems. And for the first time in the Silvretta Arena, all three chairlifts will be equipped with entry and exit monitoring systems from Doppelmayr, called: AURO – Autonomous Ropeway Operation.
However, the 50 million investment this year and next year will be dwarfed by the planned investment sum in 2027: The new Silvretta cable car alone will cost more than 100 million euros. "This is the company's largest investment to date," says board member Günther Zangerl. The Silvrettabahn is not only the main feeder lift with the largest rush of skiers in the morning, but is now also the oldest feeder railway.
With the renewal – it will again be a Funitel track with two ropes, which ensures wind safety – not only can the transport capacity be significantly increased, but logistical restrictions (transport of goods) will also be eliminated. "Then we won't have any more problems with waiting times," says Günther Zangerl about the new Silvretta cable car – it will have a transport capacity of 3,500 people per hour, knows Zangerl's board colleague DI (FH) Markus Walser.
The fact that it will be a three-digit million amount has not only to do with the railway, but also with a lot of infrastructure around the railway, parking lot connections and the like.
THE THERMAL BATHS HAVE DEVELOPED WELL.
Incidentally, the largest single investment to date by Silvrettaseilbahn AG, the Silvretta Therme Ischgl (around 85 million euros), has also developed well. "The popularity is growing every year," says Zangerl, who describes the development as "very pleasing".
This summer – with a few days of bad weather encouraging a visit to the thermal baths – there were more than 1,000 visitors for the first time. However, it is not only the weather conditions that have an effect, but also the continuous work of the Silvrettaseilbahn AG on the awareness of the thermal baths, in addition to "absolutely competitive prices". And this leads, among other things, to the fact that guests now also travel from further afield to treat themselves to a spa day in Ischgl.
EVEN MORE NEWS IN PAZNAUN (Ikon Pass)
Another milestone: Ischgl is now part of the international "Ikon Pass" network. With the Ikon Pass, winter sports fans from all over the world get access to over 60 ski resorts in America, Croatiapa, Australia, New Zealand and Japan – including the cross-border Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun for the first time. In addition, the Silvretta Arena was awarded the title of 5-star ski area by Skiresort.de and was named test winner in the categories of snow reliability, orientation and après-ski.
The world-record gondola made of 400,000 Lego bricks can now be experienced at the valley station of the 3-S Pardatschgratbahn A2. And from 11 to 13 December 2025, the Ischgl Trophy will celebrate its premiere – an exclusive tennis event with stars such as Dominic Thiem and Tommy Haas.
The venue is the Tennis Center Ischgl. In addition to exciting matches, a top-class supporting programme will be offered with a gala, hut evening, ProAm tournament and tennis clinic.
KAPPL/SEE.
Modernization is also progressing in Kappl: By the 2025/26 winter season, the new Diasbahn will be a state-of-the-art 10-seater monocable gondola that will replace the 1987 facility. It offers improved ride comfort, optimized lines, shorter waiting times and a higher capacity of up to 2,400 people per hour.
The new lift enables fast, barrier-free access to the ski area and sets new standards. In See, the former Höllbodenbahn from Ischgl is being overhauled and rebuilt for the new 6-seater chairlift "Familienglück". The facility, with a transport capacity of 2,500 people per hour, opens up an ideal terrain for families and beginners – a showcase project for sustainable cable car infrastructure through the reuse of existing systems.
A new family area is being built around the lift in See with a covered conveyor belt, family park and attractive beginner slopes. From Skiresort.de, the See ski area received the award "Extraklasse: World's leading ski area up to 60 km of slopes". A total of around 30 million euros will be invested in the renewal of the two lifts – a joint project of the Kappl & See ski area, which focuses on more comfort, higher transport capacities and future-oriented technology.
GALTÜR.
In Galtür, the cross-country skiing season begins in mid-November. This is made possible by a professional snow farming system, in which the natural snow stored over the summer is used. Even at this early stage, about 4 kilometres of cross-country ski trails can be used.
In winter, the cross-country skiing region of Ischgl & Galtür offers a total of around 80 kilometres of groomed trails of all levels of difficulty – an ideal training environment for amateur skiers and professionals. Silvapark Galtür has once again been awarded the title of "Top Class: World's Leading Ski Area with up to 60 km of slopes" by Skiresort.de – especially for its family-friendly offerings.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Just had a few days staying in Samnaun and riding the Ischgl area. Despite recent weather, piste conditions surprisingly good throughout - softening lower down in the day but still good coverage in most parts (the odd brown patch only!). Pistes generally at mid station and above good and appear to be keeping cover in main. A few mm of snow this morning but nothing to make a big difference - but still I was pleasantly surprised by conditions - so anyone coming next week for Xmas will be fine with good pistes and most of the area open - enjoy!!
Daft question - is there a dedicated thread to the Silveretta ski area with weather updates etc? Sorry if I’m being slow but I can’t see one? Thanks
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Reezo wrote:
Daft question - is there a dedicated thread to the Silveretta ski area with weather updates etc? Sorry if I’m being slow but I can’t see one? Thanks
Don’t think so. I’m there right now. Some nice dumps last week, so coverage is good. There’s a foehn rest of this week so we might have freeze thaw, except high up
It is very mild this week. 5C peak at the Idalp, today. But the sun is so low that it isn’t really causing any melt yet.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
It’s a real shame that the whole area doesn’t have a regular advocate such as Steve Angus at Val or Chocksaway at Tignes. I’m not volunteering despite having been coming since 1989.. whilst it’s not the cheapest resort around, I’ve always had great skiing.. and there’s places to enjoy without eurotrash music.. and another point I’d make, considering comments recently about Innesbruck airport problems, I must have flown here 25 + times without any real problems.. Rant over
After all it is free
After all it is free
I’m considering Ischgl for a trip at the start of March. I’ve been to a few Austrian resorts - most recently Saalbach - but this would be the first time here.
I’ll attempt to ski most things, but wife currently has a preference for blues and easy reds - she can manage harder runs, but it’s not ideal for her at the moment, after an ACL injury. How does Ischgl stack up in that regard - we do like to able to travel around the area. Is it groomed to death every morning, or are things a bit more variable? And how are the home runs generally (she’s happy to download as needed, so not a deal breaker).
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@Pejoli, The home runs are probably the least attractive element from a skiing perspective, often icy or very lumpy. Easy enough to get a gondola back down. It is often good in spring as most of the area is above the tree line, so can be a bit bleak in mid winter. As typical for a number of Austrian areas there are ski routes which are ungroomed but secured runs if you want a change from bashed pistes.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@munich_irish, thanks - true of most home runs, I find, so low expectations there. But from my wife’s perspective, will there be enough easier, enjoyable terrain for her for the week?
As you’ll probably remember (and you also replied on), I was recently asking similar about Lech/Zurs - (plan was to be there early Feb, though that’s just been shelved due to a family bereavement). How would Ischgl compare against that area for her?
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@Pejoli, There is plenty of easier skiing, the long run down to Samnaun is a well known highlight. I would say Lech is less of a high altitude spot so better in poor weather, Zürs has a similar feel to much of the Ischgl skiing. Lech as a village is far nicer than Ischgl (I am not a fan of the place though lots are). If she wants to do short days and then spend time relaxing I would say Lech is a better option, Lech is well known for being expensive but Ischgl is not far behind.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Anyone in Ischgl this week to report on snow conditions?
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Bumping this. Heading to Ischgl tomorrow week. Webcams looking good but any update from anyone there?
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Considering going next week, although temperatures look somewhat warm. Anyone out there who who can give an update on what the pistes are currently like.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
The skiing on-piste is fantastic. Lower slopes below Idalp getting a bit slushy late afternoon but perfectly ski-able. Off-piste is gone, but on-piste very good. Some slopes will be icy first thing but the Reds and Blues into Samnuan main plateau first thing are wonderful. Leave Piste 80 ("Duty Free" Run) until mid morning.
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