At today's Annual General Meeting of Oberstdorfer Bergbahn AG, the company's course was confirmed: The reactivation of the Höllwies lift was presented as a pioneering project – a prime example of sustainable infrastructure development on the mountain. Shareholders are satisfied with the development. Despite challenging conditions and project-related special effects, the 2023/24 financial year was concluded satisfactorily. CEO Henrik Volpert announces further measures for the coming years in line with the "MyMountainNature" sustainability strategy, which are intended to further strengthen the Söllereck's reputation as the leading family mountain in the region.
Product and snow expertise even under difficult conditions
At the Oberstdorf Haus, CEO Henrik Volpert first presents Oberstdorfer Bergbahn AG's financial statements for the past 2023/24 financial year. Although this was characterized by a mild winter and a changeable summer, the new infrastructure on Oberstdorf's family mountain was able to demonstrate its quality and performance: With around 130 operating days, the 2023-24 season was the longest winter season to date at the Söllereck, despite the above-average warm winter. "This demonstrates our snow and product expertise in the Oberstdorf-Kleinwalsertal destination," said CEO Volpert, who is also celebrating his tenth anniversary of service today. With the completion of the cable car upgrade on the Söllereck family mountain, the remaining planning expenses accrued over the past 15 years were also written off during the fiscal year, which, along with the mixed weather, negatively impacted the result. For the Executive Board and Supervisory Board, the fiscal year remains satisfactory overall; the written-off planning expenses were offset against profits from the capital increase at the time, and the various effects balanced each other out in the result. The remaining accumulated loss from the new construction and corona phases, amounting to EUR 662,000, thus remained unchanged and was carried forward by the meeting to the new financial year.
What it means when favorable weather and a high-quality offering coincide is demonstrated by mountain railway board member Henrik Volpert in his outlook for the current financial year: OBB-AG's half-yearly balance sheet is outstanding after the winter of 2024/25, and the company is looking back on the most successful winter in its history to date. The company therefore continues to assume that it will be able to reduce the accumulated loss as planned. This will be accompanied by the qualitative further development of the Söllereck. "We will continually sharpen our clear profile as an exciting family and year-round mountain." This also includes, as eagerly awaited by everyone present at this year's Annual General Meeting, the reopening of a legendary attraction on the Söllereck.
Sustainable return of a legend: Höllwies lift to reopen for the coming winter season
After five years of inactivity, a piece of ski history is returning: Oberstdorfer Bergbahn AG is reopening the historic Höllwies lift at Söllereck for the 2025/26 winter season. The well-thought-out reactivation of the ski lift and slopes 5 and 6 will not only add over two kilometers of slopes, or around 25% more than in previous winters, but will also present a modern, energy-efficient offering. Instead of building a new facility, OBERSTDORF · KLEINWALSERTAL BERGBAHNEN is pursuing a resource-saving upcycling strategy: The approved original route of the Höllwies ski lift from the 1970s will be preserved. Supports and foundations will also be reused; only the entrance will be relocated uphill to approximately 1,100 meters above sea level. A new, energy-efficient drive system significantly reduces electricity consumption – for greater sustainability on the mountain.
Snowmaking with green electricity and a fully electric snow groomer
As part of the reactivation, both Piste 6 and the lift route will be artificially snowed – using 100% certified green electricity from alpine hydropower. Snowmaking is carried out via an expanded system fed by the existing year-round reservoir at Söllereck, which collects meltwater and rainwater in the spring. This water is then spread as snow in the winter – without additives and in the natural cycle. Höllwies is also setting new standards with the use of the world's first fully electric snow groomer from the South Tyrolean manufacturer XELOM. Powered by a 300 kWh battery, the emission-free groomer delivers over five hours of grooming time and an impressive 27,600 Nm of torque – virtually silently and completely emission-free. A GPS-supported snow management system also ensures efficient use of the valuable resource of snow.
Added value for the region, guests, and locals
The reopening of the Höllwies lift not only brings back a popular lift, but also significantly enhances the region's entire winter sports offering. Clubs and schools will have an attractive training area, and hosts and ski schools can look forward to a strong, extended winter season. The return of the Höllwies lift is not a nostalgic project, but a modern model for the future of sustainable winter sports. The OBERSTDORF · KLEINWALSERTAL BERGBAHNEN look forward to welcoming guests and locals back to the "Höllwies" from December 2025.
