After nearly 40 years of service, a new era is being ushered in at Zauchensee: The previous Schwarzwandbahn will be replaced by a modern 10-seater gondola. The new lift is set to open in time for the start of the 2025/26 winter season. Skiers can look forward to more comfort and higher capacity. In our article, you'll find all the important details about the new gondola.
After nearly 40 years: Iconic lift to be modernized
The Schwarzwandbahn is located in the Zauchensee ski area, which is part of the Salzburger Sportwelt and the Ski amadé network. It connects the village of Zauchensee at 1,370 meters with the Gamskogel area at over 2,100 meters. Since its opening in 1987, the red 4-seater gondola has been a staple of the ski experience and has been in daily operation for decades.
Affectionately called "Grandpa," the gondola was not just a mode of transportation but also a backdrop for countless memories – including a recent marriage proposal. After nearly 40 years of service, it will now be replaced by a new 10-seater gondola. The new lift is set to go into operation in time for the start of the 2025/26 winter season, offering more comfort and higher capacity.
The lift capacity will increase to 2,300 passengers per hour
With the new Schwarzwandbahn, the Zauchensee ski area will get a more powerful feeder lift. Instead of the previous 4-seater cabins, modern 10-seater gondolas will be used. The lift capacity will increase from 1,700 to 2,300 passengers per hour, which is expected to significantly reduce congestion on busy days.
Although the new gondola travels slightly faster at 5.5 m/s, the travel time only increases marginally from 7.2 minutes to 8.25 minutes. This is due to longer boarding and alighting times for the larger cabins at the stations. The route will remain almost the same, and both the valley and mountain stations will continue to be used. For skiers, this means more space, more efficient transportation, and an overall modernized riding experience.
Wettervorhersage
The new Schwarwandbahn: The facts at a glance
| Old 4-seater gondola | New 10-seater gondola | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving speed | 5 m/s | 5,5 m/s |
| Conveying capacity | 1.700 persons/h | 2.300 persons/h |
| Number of wagons | 120 | 63 |
| Performance | 2 x 310 kW | 663 kW |
| Height difference | 741,60 m | 739,90 m |
| Travel time | 7,20 min | 8,25 min |
>> To the webcam with a view of the construction site at the valley station
Zauchensee: High-altitude skiing experience with World Cup flair
The Zauchensee ski area is seamlessly connected to the slopes of Flachauwinkl and is part of the Ski amadé ski network. With 45 kilometers of slopes spread across the mountains Gamskogel, Rosskopf, and Tauernkar, as well as 16 lifts, the area offers varied runs primarily for advanced skiers. Thanks to its elevation between 1,350 and 2,188 meters, Zauchensee is also known for its excellent snow reliability well into the spring.
Zauchensee Highlights: World Cup Slopes and 12 Peaks Trophy
Zauchensee is particularly renowned for its challenging slopes – especially the World Cup downhill at Gamskogel, which regularly hosts international races. Most recently, in January 2025, the ski resort was the venue for the FIS European Cup for women in downhill and Super-G. The World Cup women’s circuit last visited in January 2024.
Another highlight is the connection to the 12 Peaks Trophy: a ski tour that takes you over 12 peaks and through 5 valleys, covering a total of 210 continuous kilometers of slopes. This connection is made possible by the Panorama Link lift, which links Zauchensee directly to Snow Space Salzburg, creating one of the largest interconnected ski areas in Europe.
>> This is how much a day's skiing costs in the Zauchensee-Flauchauwinkl ski area
