Erich Kostner

He commissioned to build the first chair lift in Italy

Erich Kostner was the son of the legendary alpine guide and alpinist Franz Kostner. In 1947 he commissioned to build the first chair lift in Italy, which transported people to Col Alto. This lift facility represented a real engeneering success, as no machine elements had been available at that point of time.

Erich Kostner first did not exactly know how to begin, he just had an idea. On a rope strained between pillars a chain with seats should be fixed. This reminded Kostner of a carousel at the funfair.

After the inauguration of the chair lift continuted to run smoothly and attracted skiers from all over. As a consequence the lift facility should be made even more attractive.

In 1952 Erich Kostner founded the funicular association of the Province of Bolzano. Moreover he was a founding member of the Italian association for transport. In the same year he founded the tourist association of Corvara.

Moreover in 972 Erich Kostner he was one of the founding fathers of the largest Ski carousel "Dolomiti Superski". Due to his effort all skiing areas of Alta Badia were affiliated to the ski carousel.

The ski lift of Col Alto was only one of the achievements of Erich Kostner. Also the refuge on Vallon, located on 2,550 m asl, which his father began to build in 1913, was completed in 1988 by Erich Kostner in loving memory of his father.