Obituary Andrä Brandtner

In memory of our company founder, cable car pioneer and senior partner

It is with great sadness, but also deep respect and gratitude, that we bid farewell to our company founder, Kommerzialrat Andrä Brandtner, who passed away on January 1, 2025 at the age of 96. Andrä, as everyone called him, leaves behind not only his family and long-standing employees, but also an impressive life's work that has shaped and will shape generations.

A life of vision and innovation

Andrä Brandtner, born on January 26, 1929 in Waidring, was the last cable car pioneer in the 100-year history of the Tyrolean cable car industry. After graduating from high school, he joined his parents' sawmill business at the age of 20, which he took over in 1961, as well as the "Waidringer Hof" inn, which he ran together with his first wife Hilde Brandtner in the 1950s.
Andrä developed a passion for winter sports at a young age. As the brother-in-law of the famous Olympic ski champion Toni Sailer, he always had a close connection to skiing. But it was his visionary entrepreneurial spirit that was to fundamentally change the region.

A pioneering project: the development of the Steinplatte

In 1972, Andrä and his business partners Wenzel Pravda and Dr. Richard Larcher embarked on an extraordinary project: the development of the Steinplatte. Despite negative expert opinions and no equity capital, they initially realized a tolled mountain road and three T-bar lifts. With vision and innovation, the second and third generation then developed one of Europe's leading ski resorts. Today, with its modern gondola and chair lifts, a powerful technical snowmaking system and cross-border offers, Bergbahnen Steinplatte is one of the industry's flagship companies.
The construction of the gondola lift in Waidring in 1998 and to the Winklmoosalm (DE) in 2009, another cross-border project that has brought Tyrol, Salzburg and Bavaria closer together, also deserve special mention.

Technical progress and visionary ideas

Andrä Brandtner has always been a pioneer of technical innovation. For example, Austria's first detachable quad chairlift was built under his leadership. He also had the idea for lift access aids - today's conveyor belt - and set standards in technical snowmaking. With the development of the interactive adventure park "Triassic Park", he also established the Steinplatte as a summer excursion destination.

Commitment to the region

In addition to his work as an entrepreneur, Andrä Brandtner was active in local politics and the tourism association for decades. His commitment to the interests of the Tyrolean cable car industry and tourism, whether in the Chamber of Commerce or locally, had a lasting impact on the development of the region. In 1997 he was made an honorary citizen of Waidring (the highest possible distinction) and in 1989 he was awarded the honorary title of "Kommerzialrat".

A matter close to his heart into old age

Even in old age, the cable car company Bergbahnen Steinplatte remained close to his heart. Continuing the family business in the third generation filled him with pride. Until the very end, he showed great interest in developments in the industry, technical innovations and guest numbers, which he always followed with an alert mind right up to his last day.

A legacy for the future

With his drive and optimism, he not only inspired our family, but also numerous employees and guests (some of whom had been with us for decades).

His decades of work and tireless commitment to Bergbahnen Steinplatte have created a modern and economically successful family business. His legacy lives on - in every lift, in every visitor who experiences the Steinplatte and in the vision of a region that he has decisively shaped.
Andrä Brandtner had a long and fulfilling life. We thank him from the bottom of our hearts for everything he did for our company, our region and the cable car industry. He will always have a special place in our hearts.

In silent memory
The Steinplatte cable car team
The Brandtner family