SKI SEASON OPENING SECURED FOR THE LONG TERM

The new agreement between the Schladming 4-Mountain Ski Area and event organizer Klaus Leutgeb ensures the continuation of the Ski Opening and provides greater flexibility in selecting artists and dates.

The Schladming-Dachstein Ski Opening is an institution in its own right and has become the most successful winter opening event in the entire Alpine region. Tens of thousands of fans flock to the region every year at the start of the season to see international stars. To mark this year’s 20th anniversary, the course has now been set for the future.

SECURING THE FUTURE THROUGH 2030
The mountain rail companies Hauser Kaibling, Planai-Hochwurzen, and Reiteralm have taken the lead and concluded a long-term agreement with organizer Klaus Leutgeb to continue the successful event format. Klaus Leutgeb will thus continue to serve as the organizer of the Ski Opening in the coming years. This collaboration provides planning certainty while also offering greater flexibility in selecting international artists and setting event dates. Through early joint planning, the goal is to continue attracting top-tier acts for the Ski Opening at Planai Stadium in the future, just as has been the case so far.

“The mountain railways have recognized the immense importance of the Ski Opening and have secured the venue exclusively for the future. As economic drivers of the region, Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen, and Reiteralm are characterized by tremendous agility and short decision-making processes. The fact that the mountain railways are taking the lead in this effort optimizes operational processes and facilitates coordination with regional stakeholders, such as the tourism association. This alliance is a forward-looking decision for the entire region,” said event organizer Klaus Leutgeb.

Peter Weichbold, Mag. Daniel Berchthaller, and Klaus Hofstätter, managing directors of the mountain railways: “Planning certainty is indispensable for us as a company, for the region, and for Styria. With Klaus Leutgeb, we can continue to be confident that we’ll bring global enthusiasm for artists to our region. For years, these events have also been boosting occupancy rates at hotels and restaurants in the region and throughout Styria.”

ABOUT THE SCHLADMING-DACHSTEIN SKI OPENING
Following the historic successes of recent years featuring Robbie Williams, Bryan Adams, Sting, Simply Red, and most recently the Backstreet Boys, the Schladming-Dachstein Ski Opening continues its success story in impressive fashion. This year, Helene Fischer will fill the Planai Stadium with two concerts on December 11 and 12. The event’s future is thus secured, in collaboration with the Leutgeb Entertainment Group and the Schladming 4-Mountain Ski Area (Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen, Reiteralm). With the Ski Opening, the region has long since established itself as one of Austria’s most important event destinations. Year after year, international artists attract tens of thousands of guests to the region and generate attention far beyond the country’s borders.

Schladming-Dachstein Ski Opening 2026 – Helene Fischer with her band “
” December 11 & 12, 2026
Tickets available exclusively at: www.oeticket.com

Caption: With the signing of the agreement, the Schladming 4-Mountain Ski Area and event organizer Klaus Leutgeb are paving the way for the long-term continuation of the Ski Opening. In the foreground, from left: Mag. Klaus Hofstätter, Managing Director of Hauser Kaibling; event organizer Klaus Leutgeb; and Mag. Peter Weichbold, Managing Director of Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen; in the back, from left: Dr. Michael Krainer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen GmbH, and Mag. Daniel Berchthaller, Managing Director of Reiteralm Bergbahnen.

Photo: Reproduction free of charge | ©Daniel Scharinger