Terms & Conditions

General Information

Pfänderbahn AG enters into contracts for the transportation of goods and passengers exclusively on the basis of the Conditions of Carriage and these General Terms and Conditions. Any deviating terms and conditions of a contracting party—in particular those of travel agencies and bus operators—shall apply only if separately agreed upon in writing with the governing bodies of Pfänderbahn AG. The General Terms and Conditions shall remain valid in all other respects, even if individual provisions are found to be invalid. Any additions or amendments to these General Terms and Conditions or to contracts require a written agreement with the governing bodies of Pfänderbahn AG. This also applies to any waiver of the written form requirement.

Passengers and contractual partners acknowledge that persons acting on behalf of the Company are not authorized to make statements that deviate from Pfänderbahn AG’s General Terms and Conditions.

The Terms and Conditions of Carriage of the respective Pfänderbahn AG lift facility apply to all rides, particularly those pertaining to children.

Monitoring and Misuse

At Pfänderbahn AG, card readers are used to verify the validity of tickets. Train tickets and proof of eligibility for special fares (e.g., identification cards) must be presented to Pfänderbahn AG staff upon request. Annual passes are non-transferable. The 1-, 2-, 4-, 8-, and 12-ride tickets are transferable. The 1- and 2-ride tickets are valid for one year, while the 4-, 8-, and 12-ride tickets are valid for two years, in each case from the date of issuance. It is not possible to exchange them for another ticket or to extend their validity period after purchase. Any misuse will result in the immediate revocation of the rail pass and the imposition of a penalty fare in accordance with the posted general fare regulations in effect at the time. We reserve the right to file a criminal complaint. Violation of the rules of carriage will result in exclusion from travel. In serious cases, the rail pass will be revoked without replacement, and a criminal complaint will be filed with the authorities.

Arrangements for Third-Party Services

Pfänderbahn AG offers combination tickets with Vorarlberg Lines as well as package deals with the Berghaus Pfänder (Lodge), the Gasthaus Pfänderdohle (Inn), and horse-drawn carriage tours solely in its capacity as an agent for these companies and establishments. Pfänderbahn AG does not become a contractual partner of the customers in this regard.

The distribution partner’s respective terms and conditions apply to these services.

Loss of Cable Car Tickets

As a general rule, lost cable car tickets are not replaced. The loss of an annual pass, which is registered under the holder’s name, can be reported at our ticket counters. Upon presentation of the proof of purchase and proof of identity (ID), it is possible to have the pass deactivated at the fare inspection points and receive a replacement pass upon payment of a deposit. Replacement passes cannot be issued without the proof of purchase.

Refunds

Failure to use the cable car pass due to inclement weather, equipment failure, illness, injury, unforeseen departure, or similar circumstances does not entitle the holder to a refund or extension.

General Collective Bargaining Provisions

The General Fare Regulations, price lists, and the officially approved Conditions of Carriage are an integral part of the contract of carriage. By purchasing a ticket, the passenger acknowledges the following provisions and agrees to comply with them.

All information contained in brochures, newsletters, and catalogs from providers that is not printed in Pfänderbahn AG’s brochures or included on Pfänderbahn AG’s website is non-binding.

Purchasing Vouchers

Only adults of legal age are eligible to order vouchers. Placing an order constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions in all cases. The vouchers remain the property of Pfänderbahn AG until full payment has been made and become valid only after receipt of the full amount. Pfänderbahn AG reserves the right to block the validity of the vouchers as part of its automated processing procedures. Due to the inability to assign the specific service provided, vouchers do not include value-added tax. Purchased or ordered vouchers must be redeemed by accepting services offered by Pfänderbahn AG and cannot be redeemed for cash. Only vouchers (denominated for a specific monetary amount) are available. If the cost of services purchased with a voucher exceeds the value of the certificate, the difference must be paid; if the cost is less than the value of the voucher, the remaining balance remains on the voucher. No liability is assumed for delayed delivery by mail. Vouchers have no expiration date and can be redeemed at any time. Each voucher can be redeemed only once, which is ensured by a barcode or number associated with the voucher. The customer is obligated to provide the relevant information requested in the contract completely and accurately upon conclusion of the contract. If the customer provides incorrect, incomplete, or unclear information, the customer is liable for all resulting costs and damages.

Mountaineering Tips, Trail Etiquette

The mountain area operated by Pfänderbahn AG consists of Alpine terrain. Passengers are required to wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Even in the summer, the weather in the mountains can rapidly change. Passengers are expected to take this into account and are personally responsible for their own well-being.

The trails on the Pfänder are not maintained by Pfänderbahn AG and are owned by third parties. Pfänderbahn AG bears no liability as the trail operator. No winter maintenance is performed on these trails during the winter.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

For all contracts concluded between Pfänderbahn AG and its contractual partner, and for all claims arising from the legally valid existence or non-existence of such contracts, it is agreed that Austrian substantive law shall apply, to the exclusion of the provisions of Austrian private international law.

Unless otherwise provided by law, the court in Bregenz with subject-matter jurisdiction shall be the exclusive venue for all legal disputes. However, the Company may also bring an action against the contracting party in any other domestic or foreign court.

Data Protection and Data Processing

To the extent that personal data is provided by the contracting party, it will be used to process inquiries and/or reservations, to provide the services of Pfänderbahn AG, and for administrative purposes. The contracting party agrees that their personal data may be stored and, to the extent necessary, processed for these purposes. Personal data will be treated as strictly confidential in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act; it will neither be sold to third parties nor otherwise marketed. Personal data will be disclosed to third parties or otherwise transferred only if this is necessary for the conduct of business or if personal data must be disclosed due to legal requirements.