Experience a century of Pfänderbahn history

As the third Austrian aerial passenger cableway, the Pfänderbahn opens on 20 March.

The university student Albert Bilger from Baden is surprised with a nice gift as the one-millionth passenger since the cable car began operating.

On 1 June, the German Reich government imposes a border closure. As a result, Pfänderbahn AG slips into the red. The proportion of guests from Germany falls by almost 50%.

With the extension of the toboggan run via the Alpe Kälbelen Mesmerreute down into the city, the Pfänder becomes especially appealing to ski-loving young people.

The “thousand-mark barrier” is lifted from 11 July. The Pfänderbahn enjoys a major upswing thanks to the “Kraft durch Freude” (KdF) programmes.

With the annexation of Austria and the formation of Greater Germany, a strong upward trend begins. To cope with the rush, the old wooden cabins are replaced with cabins made of light metal.

The stream of visitors does not stop even during the war years. As the Allied troops approach, the destruction of the operating facilities is prevented.

Track rope II is replaced after 22 years in service and minor damage caused by a shell splinter at the end of the war.

On 1 March, DDr. Hubert Kinz takes over the management of the company as a member of the executive board.

The installation of a platform scale in the valley station simplifies passenger admission.

The Hintermoos (Maldona) chairlift will begin operating in November. The project and design are the work of Operations Manager Karl Fink, Eng.

The entire plant was renovated by the companies VÖEST and BBC. Designed by Plant Manager Karl Fink, an engineer.

Resumption of operations with new aluminum cabins, which now accommodate 38 people.

Pfänderbahn AG acquired a majority stake in Brandner Seilbahnen- und Skilift GmbH in Brand. This subsidiary was renamed Bergbahnen Brand GmbH in 1962.

The Pfänderdohle T-bar lift, built in 1949, and the Hintermoos chairlift, built in 1955, were dismantled. Both lifts were rebuilt as modern T-bar lifts.

With the construction of the new Berghaus Pfänder (Lodge) following the fire that destroyed the old Pfänder Hotel, dining services are once again available.

The Pfänder Cable Car celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The Pfänder Cable Car was completely rebuilt. Large-capacity cabins for 80 people were purchased. A debate over the new 54-meter-high “Pfänderstütze” breaks out. The advantages of the new support structure outweigh the disadvantages. The dissenting voices fall silent.

In January, the shares in the Brandnertal Mountain Railways were sold to the municipalities of Brand and Bürserberg. The new Pfänder Cable Car Museum opened and has proven very popular with locals and visitors alike.

After several months of construction, the new Pfänder Cable Car parking garage opened on adjacent Schillerstraße. With its 134 parking spaces, it has significantly alleviated the parking shortage in the neighborhood. On May 7, the Pfänder Cable Car welcomed its 26,000,000th passenger.

With the redesign of the entrance to the Pfänder Cable Car and the renovation of the parking lot, the Pfänder Cable Car’s renovation—which began with the new construction in 1994–95—was completed at the end of May. Thanks to the new barrier system, visitors to the Pfänder Cable Car receive 2 hours of free parking.

In August, for the first time since the 1994/94 renovation, the number of passengers exceeded the magic number of 100,000 in a single month. The Pfänder Cable Car carried exactly 105,632 passengers. The newly introduced Lake of Constance Adventure Card played a particularly significant role in this.

After exactly 48 years as CEO of Pfänderbahn AG, DDr. Hubert Kinz joined the Supervisory Board. His tenure was marked by many groundbreaking decisions (see above). Effective March 1, 2001, his son, DI Thomas E. Kinz, assumed the role of Pfänderbahn AG’s sole CEO.

On June 7, the new board of directors welcomed the 27,000,000th passenger at the valley station. Inge Trappen from Essen was the lucky visitor.

The Pfänder Cable Car celebrating its 75th anniversary. The children’s playground on the Pfänder was expanded and equipped with what was then the longest dry slide in Vorarlberg.

Starting in the spring, the Seepanorama—a viewing platform featuring a photographic panorama—added to the attractions for visitors to the Pfänder. In April, Andrea Wanger from Winterthur (CH) was honored as the 29,000,000th visitor. To provide a better view from the Pfänder Cable Car cabins during the winter months, heated windshields were installed in November.

The Pfänder Cable Car in Bregenz celebrating its 80th anniversary and welcoming its 30,000,000th passenger in April.

Following the conclusion of the birds-of-prey flight shows in 2015, the former eagle sanctuary was repurposed for the first time: as part of the summer exhibition “Hor(s)t der Kunst,” curated by Gregor Koller, various artists each designed an aviary. 

The Pfänder Cable Car celebrating its 90th anniversary with a big weekend of events and plenty of activities for guests.

In September, the Pfänder Cable Car welcomed its 37,000,000th passenger, Sarah Liebner from Ebelsbach.

An eventful year. In June, the new seminar room at the mountain station and the 360° panoramic terrace on its rooftop opened. At the end of July, the Pfänder Cable Car was once again awarded the “Best Austrian Summer Mountain Railways” seal of quality. In September, the popular Pfänderlauf race celebrated its 25th anniversary.

From March 15 through May 15, operations were suspended due to COVID-19 measures.

After 27 years of service, the haul rope was replaced by Fatzer. A custom-made 32-mm rope from the Romanshorn-based specialist company was installed using a one-time splice bridge. Given the limited space at the valley station, this suspension bridge makes it easier to work on the exposed rope.

Claudiane Vuarnoz from Echallens (CH) welcomed as the 40,000,000th passenger on July 10.

On August 6, 2024, Pfänderbahn AG welcomed its 41,000,000th visitor: Anne-Cathrin Engels from Olpe.

Together, we’re continuing to write the history of the Pfänder Cable Car.

On April 6, 2026, Pfänderbahn AG welcomed its 42,000,000th visitor: Tina Schneider-Kustos from Pforzheim.