Preliminary works and clear-felling along the route were carried out in spring 1961 and progressed quickly. After completion of the preliminary work, the building of a road to the mountain station at Idalpe and access paths to the various towers and the construction of an auxiliary ropeway (material ropeway), work started on the superstructure of the top and base stations.

The Silvretta ropeway company was registered in the Commercial Register on 27 October 1961. Subsequent problems arose in connection with the Silvrettabahn during commissioning negotiations conducted by the Federal Ministry for Transport and Electricity Supply under State Commissioner Dr. Benesch, which, however, were soon resolved. On 14 February 1962, the Federal Ministry for Transport and Electricity Supply granted the Silvretta-Seilbahn AG lschgl the license to operate the Silvretta ropeway.

The haul rope transport for the Silvrettabahn through the Montafon over Bielerhöhe to Ischgl in the Paznaun valley took place under most adverse conditions in August 1962.

Several advertisements announcing the imminent initial operation of the Silvrettabahn were placed in national and international papers. Various press articles reported on the opening: “A great dream comes true - now the Paznaun also has its ropeway, built at a cost of 25 million Schilling“.

On 16 March 1963, a report of damage spread like wildfire through the village, the valley and soon the entire country:

“Haul rope ripped: Silvrettabahn cabin crashed. “

During test runs a couple of days prior to the scheduled opening, a tow rope flashover caused the haul rope to rip, sending the descending ropeway cabin crashing from a height of approx. 30 – 40 metres about 100 metres before the base station. The cabin operator from Ischgl, who was alone in the cabin, was severely injured.

After medical assistance, the man was taken to the hospital in Innsbruck by helicopter. The ropeway was not yet authorized for public transport. The official inspection was not scheduled to begin until 20 March 1963. The cause of this serious accident was soon clarified. The effective damage amounted to almost 3.5 million. This incident together with the extra costs involved endangered the realization of the entire project and only after tremendous efforts could the Silvretta ropeway finally go into operation. The transport of the 50-passenger gondolas through the Paznaun valley took place at wintry temperatures.
After this incident, the Federal Ministry for Transport and Electricity Supply did not grant a license for the Silvrettabahn operation until 12 December 1963. As of 15 December 1963, the Silvrettabahn went into service and had already recorded 5,753 uphill rides and 3,864 downhill rides by the end of the year. The Idjochlift went into service on 21 December 1963.
On 12 January 1964, the official opening of the Silvretta ropeway and the first lift at Idalpe, the Idjoch lift, took place under sunny winter skies. A memorable day for Ischgl and the entire Paznaun valley.

The positive commissioning negotiation took place on 9 June 1983 and the inspection on 6 December of the same year, allowing the authorities to clear the ropeway for public transport the next day. The opening ceremony and inauguration were accompanied by music and riflemen from Ischgl and were attended by numerous guests of honour, headed by the Minister of Transport Karl Lausecker and Governor Eduard Wallnofer.

The 1st section of the 6-seater Silvretta gondola, which was built in 1983, was disassembled and installed as the 1st section of the new Fimbabahn.