The highlights of the new “Sternstunden” gondola

Early start in Söll: New, modernised gondola lift from Hexenwasser to the Hohe Salve opens on 27 June

Ahead of schedule, the new ‘Sternstunden’ cabins will glide barrier-free to the summit – at the same time, the spectacular Sky Labyrinth and eight planetary ball tracks will open.

SÖLL / HOHE SALVE. Whilst the Hexenwasser gondola lift has been in operation since May, there is an early surprise in store for the journey all the way to the top: the comprehensively modernised gondola lift from Hexenwasser to the Hohe Salve will commence operations earlier than expected. From Saturday 27 June, the first guests will glide comfortably and with full accessibility up to the 1,829-metre-high panoramic mountain.

Precision landing by helicopter: the SalvenSonne is already on the mountain

The final countdown to the opening was spectacular: on 25 June, the 1.6-tonne golden SalvenSonne was successfully flown up the mountain by a heavy-lift helicopter. The sun hovered precisely into its new position in the Himmels-Labyrinth – an impressive moment full of technology and emotion. In keeping with the upcoming start of the season and as a symbol of summer, the SalvenSonne thus ‘rose’ above the Hohe Salve.

Reactions to the opening
“The early start to the season is a huge thank you to the entire construction team, who worked in record time. With this modernisation, costing around 3.3 million euros, we are consistently investing in genuine, barrier-free comfort. Thanks to the new lift directly at the mountain station, from this summer onwards we are making the summit – including the famous little Salve Church and the Panorama-Gipfelalm – fully accessible to absolutely everyone without any steps.” Managing Director Mario Gruber

“There is no right or wrong. Many paths lead to the centre. The Himmels-Labyrinth is not a maze with dead ends, but a place between heaven and earth. With the SalvenSonne at its centre, it symbolises warmth, orientation and vitality. This creates a very special place on the Hohe Salve for marvelling, meeting others and taking a moment to reflect.” Concept creator, project developer & Head of Marketing at Bergbahn Söll – Sabine Weiss

Facts at a glance:

27 June: Early opening of the modernised gondola lift from Hexenwasser to the Hohe Salve.
Autumn operating hours: Following the early start, the summit cable car will run daily without interruption until 1 November inclusive (operating hours: 09:00 – 17:00).
Gondola highlights: €3.3 million investment, panoramic cabins featuring constellations and audio guides via QR code, fully accessible facilities including a new lift at the summit.
Attraction highlights: New ‘Sky Labyrinth’ made from logs, 8 planetary marble runs including a free marble for guests. The 1.6 t ‘SalvenSonne’ was successfully flown in by helicopter on 24 June.
10 July: ‘Music Above the Clouds’ charity concert at the summit in aid of the Söll Family Fund, amongst others.

Planetary ball tracks and celestial labyrinth

Once at the top, visitors are greeted by the new celestial labyrinth made of logs, carefully integrated into the landscape. Arranged in an orbit around the Earth, exactly 365 logs represent the days of the year; the twelve Rauhnächte and the zodiac signs are specially marked. Finally, the four-metre-high golden SalvenSun rises in the centre. Around the labyrinth, eight newly constructed planetary marble runs also invite visitors to discover our solar system in a playful way. As a surprise, every guest will receive a marble as a gift at the ticket office during this ‘Year of the Sun’.

Charity concert ‘Music Above the Clouds’ on 10 July
The opening of the new attractions will also be celebrated: on Friday 10 July, Bergbahnen Söll and the Söll Federal Brass Band are hosting a charity concert on the Hohe Salve. 100 per cent of the proceeds will go to regional social projects (Schritt für Schritt, the Söll Family Fund and Sozialsprengel Söllandl). Tickets are available online at Buchen.hexenwasser.at.