Bayerische Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG

Our historic mandate

The times when only a few mountain sportspersons and a small wealthy minority were able to enjoy the local mountain world are long past. Far-sighted mountain lovers already formulated a "historic mandate" 80 years ago: Every citizen should be able to partake of the mountain world adventure. We, too, feel committed to this "historic mandate". That is why we created the means which, today, even offer persons with a walking disability the opportunity to enter our one-of-a-kind mountain world.

The first so-called "Sommerfrischler" (summer vacationers), already recognized early on how the mountain air benefited their health. In the course of time, they were joined by the most diverse of winter sportspersons – all the way from the classical skier to the modern snowboarder. That is why we consider carrying out this "historic mandate" to mean two things: Orientation to the needs of classical mountain lovers while also being open to the sprit of the times.

At the beginning, developing the winter sports area round about Zugspitze required numerous measures in terms of infrastructure. This especially included means of ascent that were suited for the rugged mountains.

In 1930, the first cogwheel train up to the Zugspitzplatt ("plate" under the summit) began operation. The total length of the tracks including a tunnel stretch of 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) was 11.5 kilometers (7 miles) and covered an altitude difference of 1,838 meters (6,030 feet). A new tunnel section built 1987/88 ends in the immediate vicinity of the SonnAlpin Glacier Restaurant, the center of the ski area. Today, the Glacier cable car, which was inaugurated in 1992, whisks mountain lovers a little bit further up to the Zugspitze summit. From there, the Eibsee cable car, which began operation in 1963, soars down with the picture-perfect Eibsee lake below, covering an altitude difference of almost 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) in 10 minutes. This rounds off the Zugspitze Roundtrip, which can also be done the other way around, of course. The three transport means make the Zugspitze area accessible for anyone and everyone with the help of modern technology and provide visitors with dreamlike insights into and imposing overviews of this magnificent alpine mountain world.

At the same time, extensive rebuilding has taken place, and is currently taking place, both on Zugspitze and in the Classic area:
  • In 2002, the old Kreuzeck cable car was sent into retirement after 76 accident-free years of service and replaced by a high-performance continuous cable system with two cables.
  • In 2003, the Sonnenkar chairlift replaced an old T-bar on Zugspitze.
  • In April of 2006, the Start button of the old Hausberg cable car was pressed for the last time – it was also replaced by a higher-performance continuous cable system with one cable.
  • Likewise, new vehicles were put on the tracks of the cogwheel train in 2006: The first of four new traction vehicles was delivered 22 June 2006, and the quadruplets were then complete on 5 October 2006.
  • 2007: The new "Glaciergarden" restaurant, a dome equipped with flexible glass walls, was opened on Zugspitze – guaranteed visibility into the distance with an outdoor feeling!
  • And in the year 2009, - already with a view to the upcoming 2011 Alpine World Ski Championships – the old Kreuzjoch cable car was replaced by the modern Kandahar Express!

And just the same, what pioneers began in the 19820s, is still possible today: Every citizen should be able to enjoy our magnificent mountain world – all of our transport lines continue to sustainably carry out our "historic mandate".