initiatives of the lift companies

First things first...

In order to better understand the sustainable endeavours in ski tourism, we need to go further. Austrian winter sports tourism provides a total of 250,000 jobs in the hotel, cable car, sporting goods retail and ski industry sectors and therefore also generates important municipal tax revenue in the regions and municipalities concerned. Winter sports are the form of tourism with the greatest added value in our latitudes. In many regions, this added value from the winter seasons often enables the summer seasons to develop more favourably. This means that product development for the summer is often cross-financed from the winter. With the development towards two-season tourism, a clear advantage can be achieved in the Alps compared to the majority of European holiday destinations, which only have one season, which in turn brings disadvantages for the local population.

No tourism without tourists. This means that a tourist offer, no matter where in the world, is not economically viable without demand from tourists. We are all tourists, regardless of whether we are visiting relatives in a neighbouring province for a day or going on a longer holiday. A large part of the population in the Alpine arc lives directly or indirectly from tourism. Due to the topography and poor accessibility, this is the only economic sector in these regions that is viable for the majority.

According to the survey, skiing is still the main reason for a winter holiday in Austria for 70% (source: WKO - Ski Potential Study). However, alternative offers such as wellness, hiking, culinary delights and shopping are also sometimes well received as a secondary activity or by accompanying persons. People who live and work in large urban centres in particular are looking for recreation, relaxation and activities in natural surroundings in their leisure time. 

The Alpine region is now an attractive, well-developed living space for locals, an attractive, diverse working space for employees and an attractive recreational and adventure space for visitors. This living and recreational space must be preserved, and the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is endeavouring to come closer to this goal with the following steps taken so far.

Steps so far...

The five cable car companies in the Skicircus have been following the path of energy saving, green electricity production and the reduction of fossil fuels for many years. With the following projects already realised, many initial steps have already been taken towards a ‘grandchildren-friendly’ footprint.

Ecological piste management

After the piste closures at 17:00, when 75 snow groomers turn the slopes of the Skicircus back into immaculate fine rib pistes, environmentally friendly efficiency is the top priority.  

This is possible thanks to the snow depth measurement system integrated into the piste machines via GPS. During the grooming process, the snow depth is measured under the snow groomer and the operator can immediately see from the colours on the monitor where he still needs snow. The snow can be distributed or newly produced in a targeted manner and the labour required for grooming and snow production can be reduced by 20%.
SNOWsat LiDAR takes snow depth measurement to the next level: for the first time, snow depth is not only measured under the machine, but also 50 metres in front of and next to the machine in real time thanks to laser measurement. This high-tech innovation is already in use on three machines and is increasing productivity while reducing costs at the same time.

The total slope areas of the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn cover almost 1,000 hectares, which corresponds to 4% of our municipal area. The majority of these are agricultural and alpine pasture areas, which are used for grazing and/or hay production in summer. 
A well-tended cultural and natural landscape is the basis for Alpine summer tourism. The maintenance and management of pastureland, which is also used as ski slopes in winter, is correspondingly important.

Necessary interventions are therefore carried out as carefully as possible. Renaturalization measures, such as the prior removal of the sward and the subsequent reapplication of the same - the so-called “Waseln” - are obligatory.
This means that construction site pictures are neither beautiful nor attractive in the mountains or in urban centers. However, these are always temporary conditions that are always intended to improve the previous situation afterwards. Many of these measures are also carried out in order to have as little impact as possible on the affected natural area, such as the underground laying of power cables, water pipes, buildings, etc.

"Waseln"

Renaturation is the top priority for all earth movements. In order to minimize the impact on nature when moving earth on the mountains, the so-called "waseln" or swards are lifted from the ground with an excavator, corrections are made to the subsoil and the washes are then carefully replaced. This process is called slope washing.  

Water cycle - technical snow production and storage ponds

The term “artificial snow” is mistakenly associated with chemicals. However, the entire technical snowmaking system in the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is fed by spring, rain and melt water without the addition of chemicals. Snowmaking therefore does not compete with the need for drinking water!

Water is not consumed during snowmaking, but only used: As the snow melts and through evaporation, 100% of the water is returned to nature. Storage ponds are created so that the natural waters are not polluted by withdrawals, especially in the winter months when runoff is low. In winter, the water is returned to the natural cycle in the form of frozen precipitation (snow) and without the addition of any chemicals.
Comprehensive renaturation measures, such as support for wildlife projects, reforestation, conversion of forest areas worthy of protection, preservation of areas worthy of protection such as ponds, moorland areas and biotopes, habitat improvement measures for breeding areas of protected bird species, etc., are carried out for all reservoirs built.  In addition, shallow areas are planned for amphibians. 

Technical snowmaking ensures that the ground is sufficiently moistened even during periods of low precipitation. The technical snow is more resistant than natural snow and therefore also offers better protection for the ground and against mechanical damage from ski edges and piste equipment Snowmaking systems are subject to strict and lengthy approval procedures that place great emphasis on environmental aspects. The water reservoirs also contribute to flood protection, as in the event of heavy rainfall, some of the water does not immediately rush down to the valley and cause streams and rivers to overflow.
 

HVO100

With the first-time use of the renewable fuel HVO100 for some of the snow groomers and vehicle fleets in the 2023/24 winter season, those responsible for the mountain railroads in Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn have taken another important step towards reducing CO2 emissions.
HVO stands for “Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil”. In addition to vegetable oils, waste and oils and fats from residual materials are also used, such as used cooking oil or frying fat from kitchens. The vegetable oil is purified, treated with hydrogen at high temperatures and thus made usable as a fuel.
As far as emissions are concerned, the use of the new fuel is a game changer, says the Managing Director of Leoganger Bergbahnen. Compared to fossil diesel, it has been proven that up to 90 percent of CO2 emissions can be saved. In addition, HVO100 also reduces local emissions - 33 percent less particulate matter, nine percent less nitrogen oxide, 30 percent less hydrocarbons and 24 percent less carbon monoxide are released.
Fuel from plant power is also very important for the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships Saalbach 2025: the entire area at the Zwölferkogel will only be operated by HVO-powered vehicles for the World Championships, says Peter Mitterer, Managing Director of Hinterglemm Bergbahnen. One of many building blocks that will make the 2025 World Championships a green event.

Power from sun, water & wind

Our mountains offer ideal conditions for alternative power generation, which is why those responsible in the Skicircus are increasingly focusing on generating electricity from hydro, solar and wind power.
The new Wiesermühle power plant in Hinterglemm will provide clean electricity from renewable resources from winter 2024. With a capacity of 430 kW and a forecast annual energy output of 1.8 gigawatt hours, this green electricity will be used by the cable car facilities, among others.
The Saalbacher Bergbahnen want to set a contemporary example for sustainable power generation with wind turbines on the newly built mountain station of the Limberg 8er. 5 wind turbines on the roof of the mountain station and an adjacent building will form a closed system for generating electricity - without any further soil sealing. The wind turbines can generate 15 kW each - even at night, on cloudy days or during snowfall. 
The entire Skicircus has been relying on renewable energy from solar power for years. Photovoltaic systems on the roofs of cable car stations and operating buildings as well as PV panels in facades convert the many hours of sunshine into clean electricity.
 

Don't forget... Social sustainability

The 5 mountain railway companies in Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn are regionally very strongly anchored companies, some of which have a history of almost 80 years. These companies are all in regional free float. Unlike industrial manufacturing companies, it is not possible for them to relocate to preferred locations with lower production costs and better transport connections, for example. This is tantamount to a location guarantee! The primary task is to create infrastructure - in this case cable cars - to enable a functioning tourism industry. The profits of the cable car companies are largely reinvested.

The 5 cable car companies in the region employ around 300 people all year round and over 600 in winter, providing many farmers and employees from the construction industry with a secure source of income in the winter months.
Many employees in the Skicircus resorts have their workplace in the immediate vicinity, so the commuter rates are below average.
Social cohesion is also an important sustainability factor in a region. This is very pronounced in the region and is reflected in initiatives that provide fast, unbureaucratic help and professional support for every conceivable emergency. This ranges from voluntary services to sustainable mobility projects and social projects (hospices, etc.). Here too, tourism businesses - such as hotels and mountain railroads - are an important and integrative component.

Last Update March 2025