Sustainable tourism in the SkiWelt

At SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental, we combine the fun of winter with a commitment to protecting the environment. We use environmentally friendly energy sources and efficient systems to reduce electricity consumption and make snow production as sustainable as possible. We provide our guests with infrastructure to support eco-friendly travel, including charging stations for electric cars and connections to public transport for convenient access to the cable car. All our technology and facilities are based on state-of-the-art, energy-efficient equipment. We make your ski holiday sustainable through innovative projects and continuous improvements. The information below is backed up by facts from the Austrian Cable Car Association, providing a transparent overview of sustainable winter tourism in Austria.

At SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, modern winter sports go hand in hand with sustainability, efficient energy and water usage, and nature protection. Snow is produced using efficient technology powered by air, water and Tyrolean hydropower — this is our 'purity principle' for snow. In 2017, we used a state-of-the-art GPS snow measurement system to measure every piste to the centimetre for the first time. In 2018/19 , over 70 SkiWelt piste machines were fitted with this GPS system, enabling effective evaluation and management of snow coverage from the cabin. This saves around 20–25% of resources (energy and water) each year.

The water used for snowmaking comes from special mountain lakes that are constantly filled by melting snow and rain. Using GPS, the snowmaking team can compare the current amount of snow on the slope with those GPS data, enabling them to produce the required amount of snow per section efficiently. In spring, the snow on the slopes melts and flows back into nature, creating a functional water cycle. The temporary water withdrawal and return therefore balance each other out.

According to the Austrian Cable Car Association, most ski slopes are on natural terrain. Wherever slopes are created, care is taken to restore the natural landscape. Forests fulfil important functions in the Alpine region. They protect against avalanches, rockfall and erosion; provide a habitat for animals; improve air and water quality; and provide a space for visitors to enjoy leisure activities. To ensure the protection of plants, trees and wildlife, it is important that all guests stay on the marked trails. Reservoirs and snowmaking facilities are planned so as not to disturb the natural water balance, protect drinking water and streams, and allow animals to continue to move around freely. All actions are carried out in close collaboration with the forestry and torrent and avalanche control authorities.

The SkiWelt has been committed to using renewable energy for years. The entire ski area is powered by 100% green electricity from Tyrolean hydropower. Some of this energy is produced in-house. This commitment to the environment and the future has been recognised several times, and SkiWelt is now considered one of the most eco-friendly ski resorts in the world.

Cable cars in Austria are among the most efficient in the world. They account for 0.75 TWh of total Austrian electricity consumption. This equates to just 1.2% of the total electricity consumed in the country (including snowmaking).
However, if you consider all forms of energy, including petrol, diesel, gas and heating oil, the share of cable cars is even smaller at just 0.325% ! In recent years, energy efficiency per gondola ride has improved by around 20%, which is clear proof of the success of innovative technologies and sustainable planning.

In many places, cable car companies play a key role in supporting regional agriculture. Processing and selling local produce on the ski huts helps to strengthen local economic structures while minimising transport costs.

Austria's cable cars represent sustainable development in all its forms. As employers, they take on social responsibility, offering a high-quality, safe working environment and helping to ensure that the valleys remain places worth living and working in. 65% of employees particularly appreciate working in the mountains, around 75% would recommend their employer to others, and 80% would like to continue working for their company long term.

The cable car industry is widely recognised as a reliable driver of economic stability, particularly in regions with weaker economies. With primarily local ownership, companies operate responsibly, continuously investing in modernisation and quality improvement. This creates secure jobs, reduces emigration and strengthens the regional living and working environment. Austria's cable car industry secures almost 127,900 full-time jobs. Of these, 17,100 are directly employed by cable car companies, while 110,800 jobs are in sectors that benefit directly, such as craft businesses, hospitality, and sports retail.

To help you enjoy an environmentally friendly day on the slopes, we also focus on travel options and mobility. For example, ski depots at the valley stations help you to store your equipment on site. This creates more space on the free ski bus and in the car for other passengers, and means you won't have to carry anything around. There are also an increasing number of electric car charging stations at our valley stations to make your journey as climate-friendly as possible. We have additional partnerships with various transfer service providers, offering convenient and sustainable travel options from the region and more distant cities, so you can reach the slopes with ease.

Every trip has an environmental impact, particularly in terms of transport, accommodation and leisure activities. A 2018 study by the Federal Environment Agency shows: Those travelling by train to ski or take a summer holiday in Austria only produce around 20 kg of CO₂ per day. By car, this figure rises to around 33 kg per day. For comparison: A long-distance holiday by plane, for example to the Maldives, generates around 426 kg of CO₂ per person per day.

The journey to and from the destination also makes a difference: travelling to and from Austria's mountains accounts for between 3 and 21 kg of total CO₂ emissions per person per day, depending on the means of transport. Flying to Spain, on the other hand, generates around 138 kg of CO₂ from the journey there and back alone. This shows that holidays in Austria's mountains are more climate-friendly than other types of trip!