Skip to navigation Skip to main content

Two new lifts planned for Austria's Hochkönig ski resort in 2018/19

Hochkönig ski resort

The popular Königstour ski circuit in Austria’s Hochkönig ski resort is getting a facelift, with several lift upgrades and new pistes planned for the 2018/19 ski season. The new lifts will grant access to the Königstour from the Maria Alm, thanks to two cable car projects that will link the Natrun and Aberg ski areas. Renovations will also target the top and bottom cable car stations and increase water reservoir capacities for artificial snowmaking. Hochkönig ski resort boasts around 150km of pistes, including the Königstour ski circuit which offers 35km of uninterrupted skiing and unparalleled views of the surrounding mountain peaks.

Two new lift lines for the Königstour ski circuit

The upgrades at the Hochkönig ski area will see an extension of the current Natrun lift, thanks to which it will be possible to start the Königstour ski circuit from the Maria Alm. The Königstour now measures 35km, with 7500m of altitude gained and lost over 6 mountain peaks. A new lift, the Sonnberg lift, will connect skiers and snowboarders with the Aberg. The extension will also enable the creation of several new pistes.

Two new lifts at Hochkönig ski area (#1 and #5)

Sonnberg lift will connect Aberg valley station with Natrun lift

The new Sonnberg lift (#5) will connect the Abergbahn valley station with the top of the Natrun lift. The lift line measures 1100m from the Abergbahn valley station to the top, featuring a 300m vertical rise. The 10-person gondola will deliver skiers to the top in about 4 minutes and has an hourly capacity of up to 2000 people per hour.

Facts and Figures: Sonnberg 10-person cable car

Top station: Natrun top station Length: 1300 m
Altitude at top station: 1168m Vertical rise: 334m
Speed: 5m/s Duration: appr. 4 min
Cabin capacity: 10 people Total capacity: 2000 ppl/hr
Number of cabins: n/a Location: Skiregion Hochkönig

Upgrades to Natrun cable car

In addition to the construction of the new Sonnberg lift, Hochkönig is also planning renovations for the Natrun lift. The former gondola, which alternated between 6 seats and 8 seats, will be replaced by a more modern gondola with a capacity of 10 people per cabin, for a total of up to 2000 people per hour. The new Natrun lift features a vertical rise of 358m and moves at 5m/s. The mountain and valley stations will also be renovated.

Facts and Figures: Natrun cable car

Top station: Natrun top station Length: 1399m
Altitude at top station: 1168m Vertical rise: 358m
Speed: 5m/s Duration: appr. 5 min
Cabin capacity: 10 people Total capacity: 2000 ppl/hr
Number of cabins: n/a Location: Skiregion Hochkönig

Construction of new slope, ski bridge and water reservoir

The construction of the new Sonnberg lift will allow for a new ski piste this ski season, with a ski bridge helping to make the crossing over the motorway. Plans are also underway to create a new water reservoir for the upcoming ski season. The water will be used to make artificial snow, among other things.

Building the new Sonnberg cable car © Skiregion Hochkönig

More info: Hochkönig ski area

The Hochkönig ski area includes 120km of ski slopes between Hochkeil and Hinterreit. Measuring up to 2000m, the slopes here are best-suited to beginner and intermediate skiers. Hochkönig is a popular choice with beginners, as well as families with young children. However, advanced skiers won’t be left out in the cold. Hochkönig also boasts narrow runs through the trees, as well as a decent snow park. And, of course, skiers of all levels will enjoy the fabulous views! The best way to get to know the Hochkönig ski area is by challenging yourself on the Königstour.

Hochkönig ski resort

The popular Königstour ski circuit in Austria’s Hochkönig ski resort is getting a facelift, with several lift upgrades and new pistes planned for the 2018/19 ski season. The new lifts will grant access to the Königstour from the Maria Alm, thanks to two cable car projects that will link the Natrun and Aberg ski areas. Renovations will also target the top and bottom cable car stations and increase water reservoir capacities for artificial snowmaking. Hochkönig ski resort boasts around 150km of pistes, including the Königstour ski circuit which offers 35km of uninterrupted skiing and unparalleled views of the surrounding mountain peaks.

Two new lift lines for the Königstour ski circuit

The upgrades at the Hochkönig ski area will see an extension of the current Natrun lift, thanks to which it will be possible to start the Königstour ski circuit from the Maria Alm. The Königstour now measures 35km, with 7500m of altitude gained and lost over 6 mountain peaks. A new lift, the Sonnberg lift, will connect skiers and snowboarders with the Aberg. The extension will also enable the creation of several new pistes.

Two new lifts at Hochkönig ski area (#1 and #5)

Sonnberg lift will connect Aberg valley station with Natrun lift

The new Sonnberg lift (#5) will connect the Abergbahn valley station with the top of the Natrun lift. The lift line measures 1100m from the Abergbahn valley station to the top, featuring a 300m vertical rise. The 10-person gondola will deliver skiers to the top in about 4 minutes and has an hourly capacity of up to 2000 people per hour.

Facts and Figures: Sonnberg 10-person cable car

Top station: Natrun top station Length: 1300 m
Altitude at top station: 1168m Vertical rise: 334m
Speed: 5m/s Duration: appr. 4 min
Cabin capacity: 10 people Total capacity: 2000 ppl/hr
Number of cabins: n/a Location: Skiregion Hochkönig

Upgrades to Natrun cable car

In addition to the construction of the new Sonnberg lift, Hochkönig is also planning renovations for the Natrun lift. The former gondola, which alternated between 6 seats and 8 seats, will be replaced by a more modern gondola with a capacity of 10 people per cabin, for a total of up to 2000 people per hour. The new Natrun lift features a vertical rise of 358m and moves at 5m/s. The mountain and valley stations will also be renovated.

Facts and Figures: Natrun cable car

Top station: Natrun top station Length: 1399m
Altitude at top station: 1168m Vertical rise: 358m
Speed: 5m/s Duration: appr. 5 min
Cabin capacity: 10 people Total capacity: 2000 ppl/hr
Number of cabins: n/a Location: Skiregion Hochkönig

Construction of new slope, ski bridge and water reservoir

The construction of the new Sonnberg lift will allow for a new ski piste this ski season, with a ski bridge helping to make the crossing over the motorway. Plans are also underway to create a new water reservoir for the upcoming ski season. The water will be used to make artificial snow, among other things.

Building the new Sonnberg cable car © Skiregion Hochkönig

More info: Hochkönig ski area

The Hochkönig ski area includes 120km of ski slopes between Hochkeil and Hinterreit. Measuring up to 2000m, the slopes here are best-suited to beginner and intermediate skiers. Hochkönig is a popular choice with beginners, as well as families with young children. However, advanced skiers won’t be left out in the cold. Hochkönig also boasts narrow runs through the trees, as well as a decent snow park. And, of course, skiers of all levels will enjoy the fabulous views! The best way to get to know the Hochkönig ski area is by challenging yourself on the Königstour.

184 - Winter - Danielle

About Danielle

Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!