Zugspitzbahn celebrates records: new construction of the Kreuzwankl lift started!

Zugspitzbahn celebrates records: new construction of the Kreuzwankl lift started!

The Bavarian Zugspitzbahn (BZB) can look forward to a record: with total sales of 70.2 million euros in the 2023/24 season, they exceeded the previous year's figure of 66.6 million euros by 5%. The money raised comes, among other things, from railway operations and catering. Particularly noteworthy is the profit of 8 million euros, the best result in the company's history, which is partly due to the mild weather conditions and a subsidy for track renewal. Toni Huber, BZB board member, announced that this outstanding result was due to his predecessor Matthias S Tauch. As Merkur reports, 50% of the profit flows to the municipal utilities and another 50% is invested in reserves.

But the company is not resting on its laurels. The new construction of the Kreuzwankl lift on the local mountain is currently progressing according to plan, with material even being delivered by helicopter. The new detachable chairlift, which is scheduled to go into operation next winter for the 2025/2026 season, will have a capacity of 3,000 people per hour. The BZB wants to reduce the frequent waiting times on busy days and increase comfort for guests. The old lift, which had been in service for over 25 years, was recently celebrated as the first 6-seater chairlift in Germany. In the future, times for the ascent will be shortened by a full 40 seconds, which will certainly be noticeable among beginner skiers and families. For schools, entry is also made more pleasant with a height-adjustable area. The Zugspitze emphasizes that this renovation will begin in spring 2025 and the construction work should be completed by the winter season.

Winter tourism is changing

Winter tourism faces challenges not only in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, but throughout the entire DACH region. According to current surveys, around 13 million Germans are planning a winter holiday, which corresponds to a slight decrease compared to previous years. Austria attracts the most skiers, with only 7% opting for ski trips within Germany. This is mainly due to climate change, which is shortening the winter season and forcing more and more ski resorts to resort to artificial snow to ensure winter sports conditions. As a rule, 22% of travelers choose their vacation destination based on snow reliability. Those responsible in the region should keep this in mind in order to adapt their offers accordingly and to be able to compete, as Statista explains.

The catering industry also benefits from the positive developments: sales of 10.6 million euros were achieved in the 2023/24 season, an increase compared to 10.2 million euros in the previous year. The number of first-time visitors also remains constant at 1.2 million guests. The BZB is investing in innovative ideas, such as the new natural path, which improves the hiking routes in the Classic area.

The coming years promise interesting developments both for the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn and for the winter tourism regions. With an advanced lift and targeted investments in infrastructure, the BZB will do everything in its power to meet the special challenge of climate change. It remains exciting to see how the new lift system will affect visitor numbers and general satisfaction.