Ropeway Technician Apprenticeship at Kitzsteinhorn
Sustainability is just as firmly embedded in Kitzsteinhorn’s corporate philosophy as environmental sustainability. Offering young people from the region comprehensive training and a varied workplace is part of the company’s sustainable approach to workforce development. We take a look at the daily lives of apprentices whose training at Kitzsteinhorn takes them to new heights.
A picture-perfect day with sparkling powder snow, blue skies, sunshine, and seemingly endless views. Where cheerful winter sports enthusiasts head out to enjoy the sweeping glacier slopes, the apprentices begin their workday. Staff rooms, workshops, and offices are housed in an adjoining building at the Alpincenter, 2,450 meters above sea level. This is where aspiring ropeway technicians from different apprenticeship years meet to receive their assignments for the day.
The work of a ropeway technician is highly varied, and so are the areas in which the apprentices are assigned. The third-year apprentices are already wearing their safety equipment—helmets, harnesses, gloves, coveralls, and sturdy work boots—ready to assist with inspection and maintenance work on a tower of the material ropeway. The first-year apprentices remain in the workshop, where they carry out maintenance work under expert supervision. There is lubricating, tightening, and hammering all around as I accompany the more experienced apprentices to the Gipfelbahn for today’s mission.
Reaching New Heights
Today, they are heading high above the ground—our destination is Tower 6 of the Gipfelbahn. The apprentices are accompanied and supervised by Sebastian Steiner. He is Workshop Manager and Apprenticeship Coordinator at Gletscherbahnen Kaprun. He serves as both a mentor and point of contact for the apprentices and also sits on the examination board for the final apprenticeship exam. His goal is to prepare them for their careers as thoroughly as possible and introduce them to every aspect of this varied field.
He explains:
“A ropeway technician does not work exclusively in the workshop. The job also involves operating and maintaining ropeways and lifts. Throughout their training, the apprentices watch the mechanics service the snow groomers, learn about snowmaking technology, and assist guests as part of lift operations. In summer, they also work outdoors on line maintenance, site restoration, and fencing. They are accompanied by a qualified technician during every task, ensuring that our high standards for quality, environmental protection, and sustainability are met.”
No Place for a Fear of Heights
Under Sebastian Steiner’s supervision, Leon Schwabl, a fourth-year apprentice, starts up the Gipfelbahn, which is not operating for guests that day. The doors open, and Leon takes over as the cabin attendant. He contacts the station operator using the cabin phone, and the gondola begins to move. Leon calls out the remaining distance over the phone so that the cabin stops directly alongside the tower:
“Three meters to go. One meter. Stop!”
More than 20 meters above the ground, he opens the doors and Sebastian Steiner takes command:
“We’re crossing over to the tower now. First, clip one carabiner on your safety harness to the gondola, then attach the second carabiner to the tower. Be careful—the ladder may be icy.”
An experienced apprentice goes first, climbing confidently out of sight up the metal ladder. The other apprentices follow one by one. Only Alexander Maksimovic remains in the cabin with me. He explains:
“I’m only in my first year, so I’m not allowed to carry out this kind of work yet. But I’m already really looking forward to it. I’ve always been interested in skiing, so starting a ropeway technician apprenticeship at Kitzsteinhorn was an obvious choice for me. I also chose a dual apprenticeship, so I’m training as both a ropeway technician and an electrical engineering technician.”
Meanwhile, the other apprentices clear snow from the tower—a task that will later become part of their daily routine. Max, also a fourth-year apprentice, is the first to return to the cabin. He explains:
“You can’t be afraid of heights, and you should enjoy being outdoors. We don’t always have such beautiful weather and incredible views. Sometimes an icy snowstorm whips around us on the tower, or dense clouds obscure the view. But for me, that is all part of what makes this career so varied—and that is why I chose a ropeway technician apprenticeship.”
Mission Accomplished
Our mission is complete, and we return to the station, where we meet Jakob Schösser. He was part of Kitzsteinhorn’s first apprenticeship cohort for ropeway technicians. He completed his dual apprenticeship as a ropeway technician and electrical engineering technician with distinction and subsequently joined the permanent staff.
He says:
“I enjoy taking advantage of the many professional development opportunities here at Kitzsteinhorn, and I love working outdoors. But I have to get going now—I’m on duty at one of the lifts.”
He steps into his skis and skillfully carves away down the slope. Sebastian Steiner explains:
“We provide all apprentices and employees with ski equipment so they can travel across the slopes to their assigned lift stations.”
Apprentices Welcome
“Applicants should be interested in technology and comfortable with heights, willing to perform physical work at elevations of up to 3,000 meters, and enjoy interacting with guests. Manual dexterity, attention to detail, good people skills, and teamwork are important requirements for this profession.
“The ropeway technician apprenticeship can also be completed as a dual apprenticeship in combination with electrical engineering. Many apprentices choose to remain on our team after passing their final apprenticeship exam, and some have advanced their careers through ongoing professional development.”
Anyone interested in this apprenticeship can find current openings and application information on the Kitzsteinhorn jobs page.
The standard ropeway technician apprenticeship takes 3.5 years. At Kitzsteinhorn, it is also offered as a dual apprenticeship in combination with electrical engineering. The current jobs page continues to list apprenticeship opportunities in this field.