80 Years of Westendorf Mountain Railways
From Austria’s largest ski lift to becoming part of the SkiWelt
News | 19 August 2026
Bergbahnen Westendorf is celebrating 80 years of company history. On 8 August 1946, 27 shareholders founded the private mountain railway company. Today, Bergbahnen Westendorf is an integral part of the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental and a major employer and economic driver in the region.
The foundation was laid by the first chairlift to the Alpenrosenhütte. It opened in 1948 as Austria’s largest ski lift. Since 1985, Bergbahnen Westendorf has been part of SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental, thereby linking its own history to the development of one of the largest and most popular interconnected ski areas in the world.
The foundation was laid by the first chairlift to the Alpenrosenhütte. It opened in 1948 as Austria’s largest ski lift. Since 1985, Bergbahnen Westendorf has been part of SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental, thereby linking its own history to the development of one of the largest and most popular interconnected ski areas in the world.
A look back at 80 years of Westendorf Mountain Railways
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Historical photographs and film footage from the archives of Bergbahnen Westendorf, founded in 1946. In an interview, they talk about …
The Deed of Incorporation
At the grand gala evening in the Alpenrosensaal on 8 August 2026, Managing Director Stefan Grafl highlighted the early history of the Bergbahnen. He presented the original deed of incorporation from 1946, which his grandfather had signed 80 years ago as a founding partner.
The deed symbolises the courage and foresight of the founding generation and the roots upon which Bergbahnen Westendorf continues to build to this day.
The organisation of the anniversary celebrations also demonstrated just how closely the company is linked to Westendorf. Around 90 per cent of the companies involved in the celebrations were based in Westendorf. From the technical aspects to the catering, a large proportion of the value created thus remained within the village.
The deed symbolises the courage and foresight of the founding generation and the roots upon which Bergbahnen Westendorf continues to build to this day.
The organisation of the anniversary celebrations also demonstrated just how closely the company is linked to Westendorf. Around 90 per cent of the companies involved in the celebrations were based in Westendorf. From the technical aspects to the catering, a large proportion of the value created thus remained within the village.
A celebration with friends and partners
In glorious summer weather, the Westendorf Mountain Railways welcomed their guests in front of the Alpenrosensaal. The brass section of the Westendorf Brass Band provided the musical accompaniment.
The anniversary celebrations were attended by descendants of the founding members, shareholders, long-standing partners and friends of the company, mountain hut owners, representatives from the worlds of politics, tourism and the cable car industry, as well as the staff of the Westendorf Mountain Railways. Their daily dedication has helped drive the company’s development over the decades.
Guests of honour included Member of the National Council Franz Hörl, Chairman of the Austrian Cable Car Association, the Association’s Managing Director Mag. Peter Winkler, and Westendorf’s Mayor René Schwaiger. The SkiWelt family was also well represented. Rudi Köck from Brixen im Thale, Klaus Exenberger from Ellmau-Going, Mario Gruber from Söll, Friedl Eberl from Hopfgarten-Itter and Christine Haselsberger from Scheffau conveyed the congratulations of their partner cable car companies. Walter Eisenmann, a founding member of SkiWelt, along with cable car colleagues from the Wildschönau and the Steinplatte, also offered their congratulations. Markus Kofler, Managing Director of the Kitzbühel Alps-Brixental Tourist Board, conveyed the congratulations on behalf of the tourist region .
The anniversary celebrations were attended by descendants of the founding members, shareholders, long-standing partners and friends of the company, mountain hut owners, representatives from the worlds of politics, tourism and the cable car industry, as well as the staff of the Westendorf Mountain Railways. Their daily dedication has helped drive the company’s development over the decades.
Guests of honour included Member of the National Council Franz Hörl, Chairman of the Austrian Cable Car Association, the Association’s Managing Director Mag. Peter Winkler, and Westendorf’s Mayor René Schwaiger. The SkiWelt family was also well represented. Rudi Köck from Brixen im Thale, Klaus Exenberger from Ellmau-Going, Mario Gruber from Söll, Friedl Eberl from Hopfgarten-Itter and Christine Haselsberger from Scheffau conveyed the congratulations of their partner cable car companies. Walter Eisenmann, a founding member of SkiWelt, along with cable car colleagues from the Wildschönau and the Steinplatte, also offered their congratulations. Markus Kofler, Managing Director of the Kitzbühel Alps-Brixental Tourist Board, conveyed the congratulations on behalf of the tourist region .
Influential managing directors look back
A particularly warm welcome was extended to the former managing directors Robert Kleinlercher and Hansjörg Kogler. Both have shaped Bergbahnen Westendorf over the decades and driven important projects forward.
With the Alpenrosenbahn, the Kreuzjöchlsee reservoir, the snow-making system and the link to Kitzbühel, they set the course for the company’s future development.
During a panel discussion, Robert Kleinlercher and Hansjörg Kogler, together with the current managing director Stefan Grafl, looked back on the company’s eventful history . The journey through time spanned from the material shortages of the early years to the modern cable car technology of today.
With the Alpenrosenbahn, the Kreuzjöchlsee reservoir, the snow-making system and the link to Kitzbühel, they set the course for the company’s future development.
During a panel discussion, Robert Kleinlercher and Hansjörg Kogler, together with the current managing director Stefan Grafl, looked back on the company’s eventful history . The journey through time spanned from the material shortages of the early years to the modern cable car technology of today.
Historical insights and entertainment
The gala evening in the beautifully decorated Alpenrosensaal was hosted by ServusTV weather presenter Andreas Ortner. As a native of Westendorf, the presenter was effectively on home turf.
An original gondola from the Alpenrosenbahn served as a photo opportunity. A heritage corner featuring historical documents and film reels offered insights into the history of the Westendorf mountain railways.
The Volksbühne Westendorf theatre group drew smiles and spontaneous applause with a humorous portrayal of the mountain railway’s early days. The band TOMSN provided the musical finale with their live performance, bringing the anniversary evening to a close well into the night.
An original gondola from the Alpenrosenbahn served as a photo opportunity. A heritage corner featuring historical documents and film reels offered insights into the history of the Westendorf mountain railways.
The Volksbühne Westendorf theatre group drew smiles and spontaneous applause with a humorous portrayal of the mountain railway’s early days. The band TOMSN provided the musical finale with their live performance, bringing the anniversary evening to a close well into the night.
80 Years of Westendorf Mountain Railways and the Future
Today, Bergbahnen Westendorf is one of the region’s most important employers and a key driver of the local economy. In winter, it serves as a popular gateway to the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental. In summer, the cable car company offers mountain experiences such as the Alpinolino.
For Managing Director Stefan Grafl, 80 years of cable car history is not the end of the story. The Westendorf Cable Cars intend to continue along the path laid out by the founding generation, combining innovative drive with a sense of responsibility for the local environment, and to maintain their role as a key part of the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental well into the future.
For Managing Director Stefan Grafl, 80 years of cable car history is not the end of the story. The Westendorf Cable Cars intend to continue along the path laid out by the founding generation, combining innovative drive with a sense of responsibility for the local environment, and to maintain their role as a key part of the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental well into the future.
