On Thursday, September 3, 2026, Upper Austria’s sunniest high plateau became a stage for technology enthusiasts, the curious, and mountain lovers. As part of the 6th “Long Night of Industrial Culture,” the Feuerkogel was represented for the first time with its own program—and all guided tours were completely booked out.
Four sessions, about 30 people per group, and extended operating hours for the Feuerkogel cable car until 10:30 p.m.: From the pumping station in the valley to a cozy wrap-up with music at the Feuerkogelhaus, the evening was all about insights, understanding, and thought-provoking questions.
The target audience could hardly have been more diverse: seniors, families with children, tech-savvy students, and locals who wanted to experience “their” Feuerkogel in a different way. While some were particularly interested in engines, pumps, and control systems, others wanted to know exactly how season pass and ticket prices were calculated. But one thing ran through all four tours: genuine interest—in the technology, in the people behind it, and in the mountain railway system as a whole.
Starting in the Valley: Technical Tour of the valley station and pumping stationThe meeting point for all groups was the valley station of the Feuerkogel cable car in Ebensee on Lake Traunsee. There, the site manager, their deputy, and experienced staff led the tour. For each tour at the Feuerkogel, an expert in the respective field guided the group through the stations—explaining things clearly, in a practical way, and with many examples from everyday operations.
Right at the start, the group headed to the pumping station. There, it became clear just how much effort goes into creating “perfect slopes” in the winter. Powerful pumps transport water from Lake Traunsee and from storage ponds to the snow cannons in the ski resort. Pipes, valves, control systems—here, the participants got a sense of just how complex and energy-intensive modern snowmaking technology is.
Many questions centered on water consumption, energy use, and efficiency. Transparent answers helped dispel myths and paint a realistic picture of the technical infrastructure at Feuerkogel.
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After the first technical segment, everyone boarded the cable car together, heading toward Upper Austria’s sunniest high plateau. Once at the top, the tour led to areas that are normally off-limits to guests. At the Feuerkogel mountain station, the program focused on machinery, control centers, and operational procedures.
The on-site experts explained how daily operations are organized:
Who makes which decisions when the weather changes?
How is the schedule coordinated with other offerings at Feuerkogel?
What maintenance work takes place when the cable car is not in operation for guests?
It became clear here that stable, safe operations rely on a great deal of expertise, responsibility, and teamwork.
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Another highlight of the evening was the snowmaking technology at the Feuerkogel ski resort. Using snow cannons as examples, the staff explained the conditions required for artificial snowmaking and how the systems are controlled.
A special highlight for many guests—especially the children—was the chance to see the snow groomers and snowmobiles up close. The large machines that keep the slopes groomed in winter could be viewed from a very close distance.
Here, two worlds of interest collided—and complemented each other perfectly:
The tech enthusiasts wanted to know everything about engine power, winches, and climbing ability.
Others asked specific questions about costs, maintenance, and staffing.
It was precisely at this point that it became clear just how much such insights help people better understand pricing. After the tour, many commented that season pass and ticket prices now seemed much more reasonable to them—especially in light of investments in snowmaking, safety, and staffing.
The last guided tour of the evening was offered in English. This allowed international guests and English-speaking visitors to immerse themselves in the world of the Feuerkogel cable car. Here, in particular, it became clear that topics such as safety, energy, sustainability, and pricing are not only relevant regionally but also concern people far beyond the Salzkammergut region.
For the Long Night of Industrial Culture, the Feuerkogel cable car extended its operating hours beyond the regular summer schedule: The last descent that evening took place at 10:30 p.m. Participation in the guided tours was free, as was the ride on the Feuerkogel cable car for registered guests.
After the official guided tour program, the evening didn’t end with technology, but with enjoyment. A cozy finale with music awaited guests at the Feuerkogelhaus. Those who wished to do so stayed up on the mountain a little longer after the tour, took time to reflect on their experiences, enjoyed the evening atmosphere on the plateau, and chatted with other guests and staff. It wasn’t until the special gondola made its final descent that this special evening came to an end.