“Among cable car operators, camping in the vicinity of valley stations is a major, albeit controversial, topic,” begins Bernd Scharfegger of the Rax Rax Cable Car (Austria).

The logic behind it is simple: parking areas are repurposed into pitches, or vacant land near a valley station is developed into campsites or motorhome parks, which are then managed either seasonally or year-round.

While many austrian ropeway companies – such as Leogang (summer), Hinterstoder, Wurzeralm, the Pitztal Glacier, and the Tyrolean Zugspitzbahn – already benefit from camping facilities in the immediate vicinity, there remains further potential for “smart“ offerings.

Born out of necessity

“We view camping positively. Yet, we only established the ‘Park ’n’ Camp’ site next to the Rax valley station out of necessity, because campers using a nearby meadow could no longer be tolerated,” Scharfegger explains. This situation threatened the loss of a guest segment vital to the region.

“So, we decided to allow camping in the cable car parking lot. Due to high demand, it soon became necessary to install basic infrastructure, including sanitary facilities and power hookups,” the operator recalls.

Simultaneously, alternative parking spaces were created for day guests. With the Rax site, they have succeeded more than ever in attracting guests who bring added value to the region (via lift ticket sales, local gastronomy, etc.).

Location right at the valley station

Part of the success is the location: from ‘Park ’n’ Camp,’ guests can walk to the cable car station, start hikes directly from the valley, access the Schwarza Valley cycle path, or explore the nearby Höllental with its numerous climbing opportunities.

“Some of our guests also attend the Reichenau Festival,” Bernd Scharfegger notes with satisfaction. “Park ’n’ Camp” is open from May to October. Winter use is possible, though infrastructure – with the exception of power – is not available then.

“Currently, we generate 80% of our cable car business in the summer half-year. However, activities like snowshoeing are making winter increasingly important. If this trend continues, we may make the camping offer fully winter-compatible,” says Scharfegger, who celebrate this year the centenary of the Rax Aerial tramway.

Top-Tier camping at the base

“The 4-star Mauterndorf campsite, located directly next to the Großeckbahn valley station, is extremely positive for us year-round. It is ideal that guests can reach the station on foot,” explains Philipp Steinlechner, Managing Director of the Großeck-Speiereck mountain lifts.

“To make the path from the campsite to the station comfortable and step-free, we installed an elevator,” adds Peter Schitter, operator of the Mauterndorf campsite.

“Winter camping is very popular with families because of the ideal location at the valley station, which also houses the practice area and ski center. Skiing campers without children are more mobile; thanks to ski bus connections, they also head to Obertauern or Katschberg,” Schitter says, describing his clientele.

“In Mauterndorf, we have observed a significant increase in campers since 2020, which currently seems to be leveling off at a high level,” analyzes Steinlechner. In summer, the cable car also benefits from camping guests, though perhaps not quite as strongly, as the region’s overall offerings provide many alternatives to the mountain lift experience.