Can the Kasberg still be saved?

Four mayors from the Almtal would like to leave the state capital on Thursday with the words of a much sought-after slogan: It starts in Linz.

Work is to begin on a sustainable ski area on the Kasberg. Tourism and Economics Minister Markus Achleitner (VP) invited Klaus Kramesberger (Grünau), Rudolf Raffelsberger (Scharnstein), Johann Mitterlehner (Vorchdorf) and Leopold Bimminger (Pettenbach) to a working meeting. The priority will be the near future: Because on April 30, 2026, the agreement that has kept the ski area alive so far will expire.

Since May 1, 2016, the state of Upper Austria has covered the operational loss of the Kasberg-Bahnen with up to one million euros. As reported, two conditions were agreed at the time: the gondolas will soon have to bring guests up the mountain in summer too, and the Hinterstoder-Wurzeralm mountain railways will take over the operational management. So far, however, there is no summer operation – five landowners have rejected any concepts. Now the mayors, as representatives of the owning communities and state councilor Achleitner, have to explore how sensible it is to continue ski operations until 2026.

Because according to an initial estimate, the dismantling of the lifts and cable cars should cost more than two million euros.