The history of the cable cars of Kappl
The history of the cable car company
The cable cars of Kappl can look back on an impressive history. Since the company’s founding back in 1970, one single ski lift has grown into an entire ski resort which now is one of the winter sports highlights of the Paznaun valley.
The origins of Kappl’s cable cars
7 May 1970 marked the birth of “Kappl-Dias-Schiliftgesellschaft”. 71 parties showed up for the founding assembly of the ambitious winter sports company, among them representatives from the local authorities and tourist association as well as 60 private shareholders.
Josef Wechner and Jakob Rudigier were named Managing Directors. The company’s share capital was 3,349,000 Austrian Schilling, or 243,400 Euros.
The cable cars of today
Following the successful start of Dias chairlift, Kappl’s winter sports scene kept on thriving. Today, around 50 years after its foundation, the ski resort boasts ten cable cars, lifts and conveyor belts . This development is proof of our continuous efforts to turn our vision into reality: providing guests with top-class skiing and hiking experiences in the mountains of the Paznaun valley.
first cable cars in Kappl
After the building permit was issued by the provincial government on 2 July 1970, the ambitious construction project was gradually turned into reality.
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Year |
Milestone(s) |
|---|---|
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1970 |
Construction and first operation of Dias chairlift and Mardinalift Purchase of snow-grooming machines |
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1971 |
Construction and first operation of Hirschenbadlift and Schönebelelift |
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1972–1975 |
Slope expansion works and purchase of new snow-grooming machines |
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1978/79 |
First operation of Alblitt chairlift and Alblitt drag lift |
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1979/80 |
Expansion of Alblitt drag lift up to 2,690 m Alblittkopf |
Other milestones in the history of the cable cars of Kappl
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Year |
Milestone(s) |
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|---|---|---|
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1986 |
Replacement of Dias chairlift with a 4-seater monocable gondola lift |
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1987 |
Construction of Gongall two-seater chairlift (for 26 million Schilling, or 1,880,000 Euros) |
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1989/1990
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First use of snow cannons before the snow-making system was continuously expanded and improved |
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1997/1998 |
Introduction of the ski area season tickets 4+2 |
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1998/1999 |
Construction of the 4-seater Alblitt chairlift |
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1999/2000 |
Various slope improvements |
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2000/2001 |
New design for the building of the valley station; slope improvements on the valley run |
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2001/2002 |
Construction of the 4-seater Alblittkopf chairlift; construction of the pedestrian underpass at the valley run |
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2002/2003 |
Implementation of a snow-making system at the valley run |
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2003/2004 |
Construction of Sunny Mountain Adventure Park , the snow-making system and the floodlit natural toboggan run |
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2004/2005 |
2004/2005 Expansion of “Sunny Mountain” restaurant with a self-service restaurant (“Almstüberl ”) and “Panoramabar ” |
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2005/2006 |
2005/2006 Opening of slope No. 10 “Almstüberlabfahrt” |
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2007 |
First operation of Alblittbahn cable car during summer and implementation of the Sunny Mountain Card |
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2007/2008 |
Expansion of the snow-making system at Alblittkopf (2,690 m); construction of the pressure-boosting station and the Snowboard Funpark in Alblitt |
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2008/2009 |
Nighttime tobogganing from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm; expansion of the children’s area towards the nearby reservoir with 2 new magic carpets and a children’s slope; construction of the “Flaxiabfahrt” run; expansion of parking facilities; expansion of the snow-making system; membership of the “Freizeitticket Tirol ” |
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2009 |
Construction of the Alpine herb and stone garden, the themed Dias circular hiking trail and the petting zoo |
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2009/2010 |
2009/2010 Replacement of “Hirschenbad” practice lift with a new 200-metre covered conveyor belt; membership of “Tirol Snow Card ”; expansion of Sunny Mountain Restaurant with 200 additional seats; construction of a professional funpark in the Alblitt area; expansion of the snow-making facilities at the race track and the funpark |
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Summer 2010 |
Construction of Flaxi-Dorf at Silbersee |
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2010/11 |
Implementation of the new information channel with 3 broadcasters; free wifi in all Sunny Mountain restaurants; implementation of the panoramic camera at Alblittkopf; award for excellent slope quality |
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2011/12 |
Construction of the permanent Zibob®track with Austria’s longest, covered conveyor belt; implementation of the panoramic camera at |
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Summer 2013 |
Renovation of “Alte Diasalpe” and opening of Almmuseum; slope improvements at the valley run; implementation of a summer panoramic camera at the Adventure Park; establishment of the summer card “Silvretta Card all inclusive” |
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Winter 2013/14 |
Construction of the Freeride Checkpoint; 3 new ski routes |
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Summer 2014 |
Expansion of the kiosk at the Adventure Park, new sun terrace at the kiosk |
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Winter 2014/15 |
Snow-making and slope improvements at Lattenabfahrt run; purchase of new snow cannons |
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Summer 2015 |
Expansion of the Adventure Park with a low-rope course |
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Winter 2015/16 |
Implementation of snow-making facilities at the toboggan run; purchase of a new snow-grooming machine |
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Summer 2016 |
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Winter 2016/17 |
Expansion of the Flaxi Run in the Adventure Park. |
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| Summer 2017 | Installation of a new elevated water tank for the drinking water supply. Renovation and expansion of the restaurant sink, as well as the relocation of the restaurant management office. |
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| Winter 2017/18 | Slope 5 and Alblitt run have been graded, with comprehensive terrain corrections carried out, including the connection of Ski Path 5 to Slope 5. Renewal of the snowmaking system and transition to a lance system. Installation of preparation and transport lines for snowmaking in the Alblitt area. |
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| 2018 | Construction of the Dias II storage pond. Slope improvements between the piste equipment garage and Tajaeck. Expansion of parking areas and installation of an additional diesel tank. Start of the toboggan run project (lowest section). |
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Summer 2020 |
Completion of the Dias II storage pond. Further expansion and improvement measures in the Sunny Mountain area. |
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| Summer 2021 | Expansion of the parking lot opposite the valley station, adding approximately 50 new spaces. Widening of the valley descent slope in the area of the sheep barn (a sub-project also for the toboggan run up to the valley station). Project for reforestation to replace the area for the new storage pond above Kuhlochweg. Construction of the Flow Trail Dias Kappl. |
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| 2022 | Extension of the toboggan run to the valley station (from the Höferbachli area to the Tschatscha underpass), including snowmaking, fencing, and lighting. Further expansion of the parking lot in conjunction with the construction of the toboggan run. Completion of the Flow Trail Dias Kappl. Renovation of the Mardinalift (continuously adjustable drive, camera surveillance). Completion of the reforestation project above Kuhlochweg. |
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Summer 2023 |
Replacement of 10 snowmaking lances in the lower section of the valley descent. | |
| Winter 2023/24 | Start of the Kappl & See ski lift connection (ticket alliance). | |
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Summer 2024 |
Preparatory work and approval procedures for the construction of the Diasbahn (Dias lift). Optimizations to the snowmaking system (including adjustments to the locations of the lances). Construction of a restroom facility near the fish pond. Extensive cable car inspections (including the Mardinalift and DSB Gongall). |
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| Winter 2024/25 | Viewing gondolas of the new lift at the valley station and Kappl village. Two new winter hiking trails: Müllermahdlen and Seßlad. |
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2025 |
New construction of the Diasbahn | |
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Winter 2025/26 |
Introduction of the new mascot "Sunny." Creation of slopes 13 "Sunny Waveline" and 14 "Sunny Funline" with Sunkid animations. Mountain meadows winter hiking trail. |
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Summer 2026 |
New Sunny Mountain Cart track, Alblittbahn now in operation. |
