We shape responsibility
Sustainability is a top priority at Schmittenhöhebahn AG
Schmittenhöhebahn AG in Zell am See is one of the pioneers of sustainable tourism. As the only EMAS-validated cable car company in Austria, we take responsibility not because we have to – but because it drives us.
EMAS validated cable car company
since 2015
We shape responsibility.
For us, this idea is more than just a guiding principle: it is the attitude with which we shape the future of the Schmittenhöhe. We don't just use nature – we are part of it. And only if we treat it with respect will future generations be able to experience this unique mountain world.
This conviction shapes every decision we make: from renewable energy, biodiversity and regional value creation to social fairness within the company. Our goal is clear – to harmonise ecology, economy and regionality and thus create a Schmitten that protects nature and connects people.
Join us on this journey and discover how we live up to this responsibility every day – and how you too can play a part.
Our approach
our fundamentals
For Schmittenhöhebahn AG, sustainability is not a trend, but a continuous process that has been firmly anchored in our corporate philosophy for over a decade. Our three-pillar model combines ecological responsibility, social fairness and economic stability – and thus forms the basis for responsible tourism that strengthens the region, people and nature in equal measure.
At the heart of this is our commitment to actively shaping the future of the Zell am See-Kaprun region by harmonising ecology, economy and community. Each pillar is made visible through concrete measures and projects and illustrated by examples of sustainability in tourism.
The 3-pillar model
the basis
Protecting our unique mountain environment is a central part of our work. We promote biodiversity through nature-friendly summer management, protect sensitive habitats and consistently advance technical environmental protection – for example, with photovoltaic systems, 100 % green electricity and modern technologies such as hybrid snow groomers and GPS-based snow depth measurement.
In this way, we reduce emissions, conserve resources and enable ecologically sustainable holidays that combine nature and tourism.
For us, social sustainability means empowering people and creating an environment in which competence, cohesion and appreciation can grow. Our employees come from 26 different countries – diversity that we actively promote.
We invest in further training through the Schmitten Academy, support external training courses, offer modern staff accommodation and create optimal conditions for a good work-life balance through projects such as the new company kindergarten Kunterbunt.
The result is a motivated, qualified team – and thus tangible added value for our guests.
More about our social sustainability
This pillar combines economic strength with the conscious and efficient use of resources. A solid economic foundation enables us to create high-quality offerings, secure jobs and work closely with regional partner companies.
At the same time, we invest in non-profit projects and environmental initiatives such as EMAS and CE4T, which support the conservation of natural resources and create long-term economic benefits. Green Events and transparent communication show that economic success and environmental responsibility complement each other – they reinforce each other.
More about our economic sustainability
Numbers that speak for themselves
Certificates, awards and more
At Schmittenhöhebahn AG, it's not just goals that speak for us – it's verifiable results. As the only EMAS-validated cable car company in Austria, we meet the strictest European environmental standards – and we do so voluntarily. For us, EMAS is not a seal of approval, but a continuous improvement process that combines ecological benefits, regional value creation and long-term economic sustainability.
Our environmental performance is rigorously audited annually by external experts – so far without a single violation of environmental regulations. This transparent, measurable approach makes EMAS a central component of our sustainability strategy.
Our sustainability timeline
major milestones and a continuous process since 2011
- 2011 – Establishment of the Ecology Advisory Board
Independent experts voluntarily assist the Executive Board with sensitive environmental decisions and conduct the first environmental assessment. - 2013 – Expansion of renewable energy
An important step towards the use of solar energy is taken with the commissioning of the first building-integrated PV system. Since then, photovoltaics has been a central component of our energy supply. - 2014 – Start of ISO 14001 & EMAS preparation
Start of the structured implementation of a holistic environmental management system. - 2015 – Entry in the EMAS register
The only cable car company in Europe with EMAS validation – externally confirmed and further developed annually ever since. - 2017 – First EMAS award & first Green Event
Award for the best environmental statement; the Annual General Meeting is certified as a ‘Green Event’ for the first time. - 2019 – Publication of study volume: Ecological slope management
Scientific evidence that slopes are a high-quality habitat for flora and fauna thanks to careful maintenance. - 2021 – „Wild & Cultivated“ project
Partnership for the collection of autochthonous seeds for renaturation measures on slopes. - 2022 – Austrian Ecolabel for Gastronomy
AreitAlm, AreitLounge & Sonnkogel Restaurant are the first ski huts in Austria to be awarded the Ecolabel. - 2024 – Areit 2 staff accommodation (aimed for klimaaktiv GOLD)
A model of sustainable construction: PV system (approx. 75.000 kWh/year) & highly efficient heat pumps massively reduce primary energy consumption. - 2025 – 10 years of EMAS certification
A decade of environmental management in practice – recognised and confirmed by external testing agencies.
EMAS
our voluntary commitment to excellence
EMAS („Eco-Management and Audit Scheme“) is Europe's most comprehensive environmental management system – and we use it because we are convinced that true sustainability can only be achieved if it is measurable.
What EMAS means for us:
- We actively drive improvements.
Every year, we set new goals, develop measures and document verifiable progress. - We communicate openly and transparently.
Our annual environmental statement publicly shows where we stand, what we have learned and where we want to go. - We take responsibility for every decision.
Audits by accredited environmental verifiers confirm our high quality – because we voluntarily submit to this process. - We intelligently combine ecology and economy.
EMAS helps us to use resources efficiently, reduce costs and at the same time comply with the highest ecological standards.
Frequently asked questions about EMAS
EMAS steht für „Eco-Management and Audit Scheme“ (Umweltmanagement und Umweltbetriebsprüfung) und ist ein freiwilliges Instrument der Europäischen Union zum systematischen Umweltschutz. Organisationen, die nach EMAS validiert sind, verpflichten sich zur kontinuierlichen Verbesserung ihrer Umweltleistung und unterliegen strengen, regelmäßigen Prüfungen durch externe Umweltgutachter.
EMAS beinhaltet ISO 14001 vollständig, geht aber darüber hinaus. Zusätzlich ist eine öffentlich zugängliche Umwelterklärung erforderlich, die von akkreditierten Umweltgutachtern validiert wird. Zudem verlangt EMAS die strikte Einhaltung aller geltenden Umweltvorschriften.
Wir fühlen uns kommenden Generationen verpflichtet und gehen mit natürlichen Ressourcen verantwortungsvoll um. EMAS bildet den strategischen Rahmen, um unsere ökologische Verantwortung messbar und langfristig sicherzustellen. Seit 2014 verfolgen wir freiwillig das Ziel, unsere Umweltleistung kontinuierlich zu verbessern.
Unser systematisches Engagement begann bereits 2011 mit der eigeninitiierten Gründung des Ökologiebeirats. Im selben Jahr führten externe Fachleute die erste Umweltprüfung durch. 2014 folgte die Zertifizierung nach ISO 14001, und ein Jahr später, 2015, die Eintragung ins EMAS-Register.
Umweltschutz ist Führungsaufgabe und auf allen Unternehmensebenen verankert. Die Verantwortung liegt beim Vorstand (Dr. Erich Egger), unterstützt von Umweltmanager Prok. Ing. Hannes Mayer, Umweltbeauftragtem Ing. Michael Brüggl und einem internen Umweltteam. Ergänzend berät uns der unabhängige Ökologiebeirat.
Transparenz ist ein zentraler Pfeiler unserer Umweltpolitik. Die Einhaltung aller relevanten Umweltvorschriften wird intern überwacht und jährlich durch akkreditierte Umweltgutachter (z. B. LRQA Austria GmbH) überprüft. Bisher liegen keinerlei Verstöße vor. Unsere Umwelterklärung wird regelmäßig im Geschäftsbericht veröffentlicht.
Download EMAS report
Team and environmental advisory board
Our sustainability goals can only be achieved by firmly anchoring environmental management within our organisation. Environmental commitment is an integral part of our corporate philosophy.
The Schmitten environmental team: This internal team is responsible for maintaining and expanding the environmental management system and ensuring compliance with all requirements.
Environmental advisory board
founded in 2011
The Ecology Advisory Board: Since 2011, the management board of Schmittenhöhebahn AG has been supported and advised by the Ecology Advisory Board, which is made up of external experts. Together with the experts, the areas of the Schmittenhöhe natural habitat that are worthy of protection and sensitive are analysed.
Members of the Ecology Advisory Board: Dr Helmut Wittmann, Univ. Prof. Dr Ulrike Pröbstl, DI Fritz Pichler.
„One of the key findings of the studies was that appropriate extensive management and maintenance of ski slopes, where agricultural production is not usually a priority, can make a valuable contribution to the conservation and promotion of biodiversity and, in some cases, to species protection."
Quote Dr. Helmut Wittmann
The environmental team of the Schmittenhöhebahn AG
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Plan your sustainable holiday with us
As a guest of Schmittenhöhebahn AG, you are invited to play an active role in our comprehensive sustainability strategy. Every contribution to sustainable tourism helps us to preserve the natural landscape of the Schmittenhöhe and strengthen the region as an attractive destination for sustainable holidays.
We appreciate your support in the following areas:
We encourage our guests to use environmentally friendly and stress-free travel options and local mobility services to minimise the carbon footprint of their holiday. Regional initiatives such as the Guest Mobility Card also contribute to this. In summer, it allows free use of public transport in Pinzgau, and in winter, it includes the ski bus network and the Pinzgau regional railway through integration with the ski pass.
- Arrival by train: Zell am See–Kaprun can be reached comfortably and environmentally friendly by train.
- Local mobility: With a valid ski pass, the regional ski bus network is available free of charge.
- Pinzgau regional railway: There is a stop directly at the areitXpress valley station, which can be used with a ski ticket.
- E-mobility: For guests with electric vehicles, e-charging stations are available at the valley station of the areitXpress and trassXpress.
The meadows, rocks and forests of the Schmittenhöhe are home to many animal and plant species, which must be respected.
Since 2007, Schmittenhöhebahn AG has supported the „Respect your boundaries" initiative to raise awareness among winter sports enthusiasts about treating nature with respect.
Enjoy regional cuisine and thereby strengthen the local economy and resource-saving businesses.
- Certified enjoyment: Visit our establishments that carry the Austrian Ecolabel for Gastronomy – including the AreitAlm, the AreitLounge and the Sonnkogel Restaurant. These establishments are characterised by organic and regional cuisine as well as responsible management.
- Regional products: These restaurants focus on regional sourcing for their food offerings. Here you can try Schmitten honey, for example, which is collected from the bee colonies of our employee Peter Hofer on the slopes.
Help us to support our waste management, reduce waste and protect the natural environment of the Schmittenhöhe.
- Avoid waste: Produce as little waste as possible and use reusable products wherever possible.
- Proper disposal: Use the waste separation systems at all valley stations of the feeder railways for residual waste, paper and plastic.
- If there is no rubbish bin available: Please take your waste with you to the valley or to the nearest disposal point.
- Cleanliness on the mountain: Solar-powered rubbish bins with integrated presses are available in heavily frequented areas on the Schmittenhöhe.
- Particularly important – cigarette butts: An often underestimated problem. Cigarette butts are highly toxic; a single butt can contaminate 40–60 litres of clean groundwater and pollute the surrounding soil. Therefore, please never dispose of cigarette butts in nature.