Bergbahnen Westendorf
Founded in 1946, and still going strong today: the history of Bergbahnen Westendorf
The Westendorf Mountain Railways are celebrating their 80th anniversary. On 8 August 1946, 27 shareholders founded the private mountain railway company. Exactly 80 years later, on 8 August 2026, this anniversary was celebrated with a gala evening in the Alpenrosensaal. Thefirst chairlift to the Alpenrosenhütteopened in 1948 as ‘Austria’s largest ski lift’and laid the foundations for further development. Since 1985,the Westendorf Mountain Railways have been part of SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental,one of the largest and most popular interconnected ski areas in the world.
The Deed of Incorporation of 1946
Managing Director Stefan Grafl opened the gala evening with a special historical document. He presented the original founding charter from 1946, which his grandfather had signed when Bergbahnen Westendorf was established.
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 the close ties with the village. Around 90 % of the companies involved in the celebrations were based in Westendorf. From the technical aspects to the catering, the economic benefit 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 the close ties with the village. Around 90 % of the companies involved in the celebrations were based in Westendorf. From the technical aspects to the catering, the economic benefit thus remained within the village.
A look back at 80 years of the Westendorf Mountain Railways
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Historical photographs and film footage from the history of Bergbahnen Westendorf, founded in 1946. In an interview, …
A gala evening with colleagues and partners
In glorious summer weather, Bergbahnen Westendorf welcomed their guests in front of the Alpenrosensaal. 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, came together to celebrate eight decades of mountain railway history.
Guests of honour includedFranz Hörl, Member of the National Council and Chairman of the Austrian Cable Car Association, andthe Association’s Managing Director, Mag. Peter Winkler.Westendorf’s Mayor, René Schwaiger, also offered his congratulations on the anniversary and paid tribute to the importance of the cable car company to the town. Markus Kofler, Managing Director of the Kitzbühel Alps –Brixental Tourism Association, conveyed the congratulations of the tourism region.
SkiWelt was also well represented. Congratulations were conveyed by the managing directors of the partner cable car companies: 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. Walter Eisenmann, a founding member of SkiWelt, as well as colleagues from the cable car companies in Wildschönau and Steinplatte, were also present at the anniversary celebrations.
Guests of honour includedFranz Hörl, Member of the National Council and Chairman of the Austrian Cable Car Association, andthe Association’s Managing Director, Mag. Peter Winkler.Westendorf’s Mayor, René Schwaiger, also offered his congratulations on the anniversary and paid tribute to the importance of the cable car company to the town. Markus Kofler, Managing Director of the Kitzbühel Alps –Brixental Tourism Association, conveyed the congratulations of the tourism region.
SkiWelt was also well represented. Congratulations were conveyed by the managing directors of the partner cable car companies: 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. Walter Eisenmann, a founding member of SkiWelt, as well as colleagues from the cable car companies in Wildschönau and Steinplatte, were also present at the anniversary celebrations.
A look back with Robert Kleinlercher and Hansjörg Kogler
A particularly warm welcome was extended to the former managing directors Robert Kleinlercher and Hansjörg Kogler. Both played a defining role at Bergbahnen Westendorf over several decades and, through key projects, set the course for the company’s development.
These include the Alpenrosenbahn, the‘’ Kreuzjöchlsee reservoir, the snow-making system and the link to Kitzbühel.
Together with Managing Director Stefan Grafl, they looked back on the history of Bergbahnen Westendorf from the stage. The narrative spanned from the material shortages in the early years to the modern cable car technology of today.
These include the Alpenrosenbahn, the‘’ Kreuzjöchlsee reservoir, the snow-making system and the link to Kitzbühel.
Together with Managing Director Stefan Grafl, they looked back on the history of Bergbahnen Westendorf from the stage. The narrative spanned from the material shortages in the early years to the modern cable car technology of today.
Entertainment in the Alpenrosensaal
The gala evening in the festively decorated Alpenrosensaal was hosted by ServusTV weather presenter Andreas Ortner, who has roots in Westendorf. An original Alpenrosenbahn gondola served as a photo opportunity. A commemorative display featuring historical documents and film reels offered insights into the history of the Westendorf mountain railways.
Thebrass section of the Westendorf brass bandprovided the musical opening. The Westendorf Volksbühne then brought the early days of the mountain railway to life with a humorous skit, eliciting smiles and spontaneous applause.
The band TOMSN provided the musical finale.Their live performance saw the anniversary celebrations draw to a close well into the night.
Thebrass section of the Westendorf brass bandprovided the musical opening. The Westendorf Volksbühne then brought the early days of the mountain railway to life with a humorous skit, eliciting smiles and spontaneous applause.
The band TOMSN provided the musical finale.Their live performance saw the anniversary celebrations draw to a close well into the night.
80 years of Westendorf Mountain Railways and looking ahead
Today, Bergbahnen Westendorf is one of the region’s major 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, it offers mountain adventures such as the Alpinolino.
For Managing Director Stefan Grafl, the 80-year history of the cable car company is not the end of the story. Westendorf Cableways intend to continue along the path laid out by the founding generation: with a spirit of innovation, a commitment to the local environment, and as a key part of the SkiWelt.
For Managing Director Stefan Grafl, the 80-year history of the cable car company is not the end of the story. Westendorf Cableways intend to continue along the path laid out by the founding generation: with a spirit of innovation, a commitment to the local environment, and as a key part of the SkiWelt.