Lift is Life
A day with a lifty
Markus has been a lifty in the Ötztal for 34 years, putting his heart and soul into his job every day. If you think being a lifty is all about technology, think again. “I love being with guests,” says the cheerful Tyrolean. Everyone who has ever skied in the Austrian mountains will know well that lifts and gondolas are where people come together, chat and mingle.
Markus meets people who couldn't be more different. In their stories they show new, unexpected perspectives and, above all, joy in life and skiing. Curious? Have a look!
Austria's youngest ski instructor
If you’re planning a skiing holiday in Austria, listen to Charlotte. Austria’s youngest ski instructor teaches adults everything they need to know in the mountains – including safety tips. Charlotte isn’t one to take things slowly, but she is very fond of her adult students. Watch here as she turns lifty Markus into a slalom pro in record time.
Ski influencer
“I love being in the mountains,” says influencer Rene. He is an enthusiastic skier and teaches children how to properly ride a lift in his TikTok videos. In a fun and authentic way, he gets young people excited about skiing. With lifty Markus he chats about the important questions on the mountain: How can you ski for free? Why does the piste have grooves? And what's the deal with the little mouse and the big giraffe?
Goat farmers
For the right cheese it’s well worth going the extra mile. Or, in this case, the extra ride. Lifty Markus takes Maria and Martin for a second gondola ride to find out more about the “Goasbauern” (Tyrolian for goat farmers). The married couple runs the “Goas” cheese dairy in Obergurgl and produces high-quality goat cheese – and you can definitely taste the difference! Chatting about all things cheese and goat with Markus, they reveal how the altitude of the alpine pasture affects the taste of their products and why goats can prevent avalanches.