THE CHRONICLE OF ZÜRS AM ARLBERG
Our History
1416
The First Documented Mention
The extensive alpine pastures and lush mountain meadows around Zürs have been used by farmers as summer pastures for their livestock since records began. In 1416, Zürs was first mentioned in official documents and was already a permanently settled village with eight homesteads paying tribute in lard and cheese to the Chur Schrofensteiners. Due to severe weather conditions and noticeable climate deterioration during the Little Ice Age, permanent settlements had to be temporarily abandoned around 1700.
1843
Political Affiliation with Lech
Following the transition of the region from Bavaria back to Austria in 1814, Zürs initially fell under the municipality of Klösterle. Due to the immense geographical distance over the Flexen Pass, the final separation from Klösterle was decreed in 1843 after years of negotiations. Since this decision, Zürs, Älpele, and Omesberg have officially been parts of the municipality of Lech. The former toll station at the entrance to the village on the left of the Flexen Pass subsequently developed into the historic Gasthof Alpenrose.
1896
The birth of Arlberg skiing
The tourist development of high-alpine terrain began in February 1896 with a first documented ski tour by Lindau pioneers via Zürs to Oberstdorf. At that time, Gasthof Alpenrose existed as the sole modest winter inn for brave draymen. In 1906, ski pioneer Viktor Sohm led the first private ski lesson in Zürs. Among participants was sixteen-year-old Hannes Schneider from Stuben, who received decisive inspiration here for developing the world-famous Arlberg method.
1931
Foundation of the Official Skischule Zürs
To establish uniform quality standards and solid structures for the growing number of international guests, local hotel ski instructors joined forces in 1928 under the leadership of Friedrich Schneider. In the 1931/32 winter season, the official designation Ski School Zürs was adopted. The instructors gained worldwide fame through their involvement in the legendary pioneering films of Dr. Arnold Fanck. In 1938, Zürs underpinned its technological pioneering role with the commissioning of Austria's first drag lift at the Flexenhotel.
1945 to Present
A Global Heritage
After World War II, the institution was reorganized in 1945 as an association of instructors. In the following decades, Zürs ski instructors acted as sporting ambassadors and key pioneers in establishing ski schools overseas, particularly in the USA, Australia, and Canada. Numerous racing achievements by ski school leadership, such as Friedrich Schneider's historic Kandahar victory in 1928, underline the racing expertise and exclusive heritage of Ski School Zürs to this day.
