In the northern Tirol, in Austria's SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental more than 27 million euros are being invested in building a new 10-person gondola in Hochsöll and adding more snowmaking facilities. The new Salvenmoos gondola is the largest single investment for the coming winter season and replaces the 2-seater chairlift, built in 1988.
Almost 100 new snow guns will also be introduced across the SkiWelt taking the total to more than 1,700 snow guns and further improving the snowmaking facilities. 10 million euros alone have been invested in the expansion of the Kreuzjöchlsee reservoir at SkiWelt Westendorf, which supplies the snow canons. Once complete some 229 of the 284 km or slopes will be covered with snowmaking and capable of being made winter fit within three days.
SkiWelt is justifiably proud of its sustainability credentials, so although it's no surprise, it's still impressive that all this snowmaking and the lift systems of the SkiWelt use 100% renewable energy created by Tirolean hydropower. Even the electric charging stations in the car parks available during the day - which will also be further expanded for 2016 - are powered by sustainable hydro power.
Another significant investment is being made at SkiWelt Scheffau:, where the parking deck is being improved and equipped with a lift, making all three parking levels easily accessible. These 140 new parking spaces are right by the bottom lift station, making them effectively ski in and ski out.
