Observation tower at the peak of the Alpbachtal valley 360-degree view

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschonau ski resort in Germany, the resort invested in the new Hornbahn 2000 gondola lift to replace an older ski lift and invited Snøhetta to design a viewing tower at the top station, creating a landmark that enhances the mountain experience for visitors. The 13-meter-high wooden tower, named Top of Alpbachtal, draws its design concept from traditional Alpine architectural forms. Patrick Luth, Partner and Managing Director of Snøhetta's Innsbruck office in Austria, said: Wooden architecture has a long tradition in the Alpbachtal region. We therefore decided to use these contextual references and create a contemporary interpretation. Based on traditional construction methods, the structure achieves resource efficiency and sustainability as much as possible. Equally important is the way the tower frames views of the surrounding mountain landscape. The wooden structure references the chalets and barns of the Alpine valley, translated into a modern, minimalist form. The tower provides a 360-degree viewing platform that takes in the entire Alpbachtal valley and the surrounding peaks. The project demonstrates how a modest-scale architectural intervention can become a significant destination, enhancing the visitor experience while respecting the traditional building culture of the Alps.