Green, greener, Wildkogel Arena!
A region and its journey towards green environmental and energy management.
Successful tourism development and sustainable, responsible practices have gone hand in hand in the Wildkogel Arena for many years. Step by step, we are following the green path – even if we sometimes have to slow down a little, make self-critical adjustments or start afresh with renewed vigour. Yet the two towns of Neukirchen am Großvenediger and Bramberg am Wildkogel, together with the local authorities, the Wildkogel mountain railways and the tourism associations, are consistently taking valuable steps towards sustainability – towards the fair use of resources, sustainability and regional development.
The path to sustainability is an ongoing process to which the Wildkogel Arena committed itself some time ago. Step by step, we are moving towards a more efficient yet sustainable approach to energy, waste management, mobility, infrastructure and the design of our services. But it is not only local authorities, tourism associations, mountain railways and businesses that are embracing this ‘green philosophy’ – many residents of the National Park communities of Neukirchen and Bramberg are also joining forces to take the green path.
Wildkogel-Arena Ski Resort
Green energy
To conserve valuable resources, the Wildkogel mountain railways rely on renewable energy. This ensures that the entire energy required to operate the mountain railways is generated from certified renewable sources. An additional source of energy is the sun, which, via Europe’s highest solar power station – a photovoltaic system at 2,100 metres on the Wildkogel – covers around a quarter of the cable cars’ total electricity requirements. The solar panels can be streamlined during storms, meaning the system operates even in adverse weather conditions such as wind and snow. The Wildkogel photovoltaic system was a pilot project installed in 2010. The Wildkogel mountain railways are leading the way for other tourist destinations. The new photovoltaic plant at the valley station of the Smaragdbahn also generates 130,000 kW to power the 8-seater gondola lift and the valley station. The new snow groomer garage and parts of the mountain restaurant with a view are supplied with geothermal heat following deep drilling.
Did you know… that the Wildkogel photovoltaic system actually generates energy even without direct sunlight? The light levels in the mountains are sufficient for operation, and the system is therefore 30% more efficient than in the valley.
Efficient snow management
To ensure optimal slope conditions with minimal effort, the Wildkogel mountain railways have a sophisticated snowmaking management system. Natural snowfall is only supplemented when absolutely necessary. The entire network of slopes is equipped with snow depth sensors, allowing the snow cover to be measured down to the nearest centimetre, enabling the slope team to respond with pinpoint accuracy. An in-house monitoring system helps to reduce energy peaks, thereby relieving the strain on the grid. Transport capacity is also adapted to the needs of guests and the natural environment. To ensure short distances for everyone, to promote sport and health for young and old, families and guests alike, and to use energy efficiently, the mountain railways also operate several T-bar lifts in the valley with great dedication.
Did you know… that the Tourism Association pays close attention to environmental friendliness and the careful use of resources in all its printed materials? Plastic packaging is, of course, recyclable!
Hosts with a heart
Most of the accommodation providers in the Wildkogel Arena are family-run. Hotels, inns, private rooms and farm stays are run with great dedication and passion by people who live in and love this region. Tourism is undoubtedly an important economic factor in the region, yet authentic village life, community spirit, appreciation for rural structures and a vibrant community life across all age groups are maintained. Customs and traditions are cherished despite progress – just as the beautiful landscape is lovingly cared for and preserved. The green approach has long since reached the accommodation providers and the catering sector too, and together they are making progress step by step.
Did you know… that the Austrian Ecolabel has also been awarded to several hotels in the Wildkogel Arena? The Wanderhotel Kirchner, the Wanderhotel Gassner, the Smaragdhotel Tauernblick, the Hotel BergBaur and the Ferienhotel Hubertus have all been awarded the label.
A bright future
eLiner
Leave your car at home while on holiday! The region’s well-organised local transport network has you well covered. Travel by bus or local railway within the town, to neighbouring ski resorts in the Zillertal and to the Kitzbühel Alps Panoramic Railway is included in your ski pass. With the National Park SummerCard, public transport and participating valley hiking buses are included from 1 May to 31 October when staying at one of the partner establishments during your holiday (and even on the day of arrival and departure). With the “eLINER”, the Neukirchen Tourist Board, together with klima:aktiv mobil and in cooperation with the Wildkogel Mountain Railways, ensures sustainable mobility. The eLINER, with up to three trailers, transports a maximum of 55 guests in summer to the starting points of the WildkogelAktiv programme.
In winter, it serves as a shuttle from the Neukirchen valley run to the Wildkogelbahn valley station and shuttles between the hotels. Those travelling to the Wildkogel Arena in their own electric car can recharge conveniently at the e-charging stations in Neukirchen or Bramberg. The chargeable e-charging stations in Neukirchen are located in the P3 multi-storey car park (Wildkogelbahnstraße 456, use of the car park is free), at the car park behind the Sparkasse and at the car park at Vogelsang 304. The pay-to-use e-charging stations in Bramberg are in the Smaragdbahn underground car park (use of the underground car park is subject to a charge) and at the Smaragdbahn car park (parking is free).
Regional culinary delights
We are strengthening the region
We take responsibility for the region not only through responsible business practices, sustainable environmental management in harmony with nature, and forward-thinking planning. The Wildkogel Arena is committed to fair partnerships with regional producers, craftspeople and farmers. In this way, the local authorities, mountain railways, tourism associations and businesses prioritise local companies and building materials when making investments, thereby preventing unnecessary CO2 emissions, strengthening the region and safeguarding local and regional jobs and expertise.
Shopping locally is encouraged on all sides. Among other things, the tourism association supports the ‘Regional Goodies in a Breakfast Bag’ project run by Privatvermieter Salzburg and the Tauriska cultural association. For this culinary welcome gift from the region, which guests can order in advance for their arrival at their accommodation, only regional and seasonal products from the ‘Guat drauf’ organic shop in Neukirchen are used. The reusable linen bag is designed by Nathalie Gantner.
The TAURISKA Cultural Association, based at the Kammerlanderstall in Neukirchen, has always promoted and supported regional initiatives such as the Bramberger Apple Juice Gourmet Region (Bramberg Fruit Press). There are now numerous partnerships and a wide range of products, all of which make a wonderful addition to the home-pressed apple juice. And, incidentally, apple trees bearing old apple varieties are being replanted, enhancing the village’s appearance. Cheese, bacon, sausage, meat, eggs, honey, juices,
ointments, herbal products and much more produced in the Wildkogel Arena can be found at farm shops, village shops or markets. In addition, excellent cookbooks featuring fine recipes from Pinzgau cuisine have been published in recent years; all of this can be found on the new “Regional Products” platform for all suppliers of products from the Wildkogel Arena and the National Park region.
Green holiday resorts
The biggest:
Hohe Tauern National Park
The Hohe Tauern National Park, covering a total area of 1,856 km², constitutes the largest protected, contiguous and transnational natural and cultural area in the Alps. The interaction between the core zone and the surrounding buffer zone creates an extraordinary fusion of this unique natural environment with a cultural landscape of outstanding aesthetic beauty.
The Hohe Tauern National Park comprehensively encompasses all Alpine ecosystems (from montane mountain forests to Alpine grasslands) with their plant and animal communities. The diverse landscape is characterised by 266 mountain peaks over 3,000 metres (highest peak: Austria’s Großglockner at 3,798 m), 551 lakes ranging in size from 27.03 ha to 35 m², and approximately 250 glaciers (longest glacier: Pasterze in the Großglockner Group). Another enrichment of both the landscape and local culture is the traditional, sustainable use of alpine pastures in the outer zone.
Around 117 km², and thus over 70% of the municipal area of Neukirchen, and 45 km², and thus 38% of the municipal area of Bramberg, lie within the Hohe Tauern National Park, a unique protected area in the Alps. The Sulzbach valleys in Neukirchen are a real highlight. In 2019, they were designated an internationally recognised IUCN wilderness area. 67 km² are thus placed under special protection, and their uniqueness as a natural area within a breathtaking landscape is recognised.
But the region offers even more wonderful features: the Habachtal valley in Bramberg is home to the only emerald deposit in Europe; the mineral wealth of the Hohe Tauern is virtually inexhaustible; and a fine selection of these sparkling treasures can be admired in the national park exhibition ‘Emeralds and Crystals’ at the Bramberg Museum. Furthermore, Salzburg’s highest mountain, the “Weltalte Majestät” – the Großvenediger at 3,657 m – is located in Neukirchen.
Did you know… that the WildkogelAktiv programme and designated tours led by the National Park rangers are free with the National Park Summer Card and the Neukirchen and Bramberg guest card? This means visitors of all ages can enjoy exhibitions and excursions in both summer and winter.
National Park Summer Card – eco-friendly & full of variety
The National Park Summer Card (1 May – 31 October) offers added value with around 60 attractions and nature experiences in the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region: included are, for example, the Krimml Waterfalls and WasserWelten, the Bramberg Museum and the National Park Centre in Mittersill, as well as a ride on the Wildkogelbahn or the Smaragdbahn. Absolute highlights, and also included for cardholders, are trips along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and the Gerlos Alpine Road. There are also discounts at many attractions. In Neukirchen and Bramberg, the National Park Summer Card is included in the accommodation price at around 180 partner establishments across all categories (from comfortable 4-star hotels to cosy guesthouses or holiday apartments).