25 Years of the Ski Club Arlberg in Lech

In the 1990s, the Ski Club Arlberg experienced turbulent and challenging times. Attempts at separation led to significant conflicts between Lech and St. Anton, ultimately creating a vacuum within the club. However, thanks to the initiative of several key individuals, a sense of renewal soon emerged in Lech. Driven by a spirit of responsibility and mutual respect, a fresh start was made possible in collaboration with St. Anton.

The municipality of Lech, led by Mayor Ludwig Muxel, recognized the urgent need for action and took the initiative. Robert Strolz was entrusted with heading a proponents' committee, which also included Stefan Bischof, Stefan Jochum, and Walter Hlebayna. The goal was clear: to create a new structure under a shared umbrella while ensuring sufficient autonomy. Robert agreed, but only on the condition that Herbert Jochum, with his extensive expertise, would join the delegation as Vice President of the Ski Club Arlberg (SCA). Herbert's experience was crucial to the success of this endeavor. As a key visionary, he served as a significant role model for cohesion and collaboration on both sides of the Arlberg.

1997: A First Meeting in Zürs

The committee's first meeting took place in March 1997 at the Sporthotel Lorünser in Zürs. Present were the SCA board and the negotiation team, consisting of Reinhard Hauser, Dietmar Spiss, Stefan Bischof, and Robert Strolz. Herbert Jochum opened the session with determined words: “I have a chef here who will be available to us all night. We will not leave this room until we have found a fundamental solution.” That evening, the foundations for future collaboration were negotiated, marking a decisive step toward a new era for the Ski Club Arlberg.

The Alliance Agreement

Negotiations with the club authorities of the Tyrolean and Vorarlberg state governments extended over several months but ultimately led to the creation of new statutes. The final cooperation meeting took place in September 1997 at Dietmar Spiss's home in St. Jakob. During this meeting, Dietmar Spiss and Robert Strolz drafted a civil alliance agreement to formalize mutual cooperation. The primary objective was to secure joint collaboration and ensure unity. For Lech, it was particularly important to maintain its own legal entity to independently organize youth training and events.

November 11, 1997 – Approval of the Statutes

On November 11, 1997, an important board meeting took place at the Hotel Schmelzhof in Lech, focusing on the discussion and approval of the new club statutes. Just a few days later, on November 15, 1997, these statutes were officially ratified during the 97th General Assembly of the Ski Club Arlberg, held in the Arlberg Hall in St. Anton am Arlberg.

October 21, 1998 – Reestablishment in Lech

Another milestone was reached on October 21, 1998. At the Hotel Gotthard in Lech, the entire SCA board and the Lech members of the Ski Club Arlberg gathered to officially establish the branch club Ski Club Arlberg Lech. During this historic meeting, the founding board was elected: Robert Strolz as Chairman, Stefan Jochum as Vice Chairman, Stefan Bischof as Treasurer, and Marcell Strolz as Secretary. Daniel Huber was appointed as Youth Representative for the West and Trainer in Lech, while Johannes Striednig took on the role of Equipment Manager.

A key objective of this reorganization was fostering close cooperation with neighboring areas—St. Anton, St. Christoph, Zürs, and Stuben—to build a strong and united community.

Writing a Club History

This re-establishment reflected the deep connection and passionate dedication of the members, who aimed to write a successful and forward-looking club history together. The driving force behind this effort was characterized by fun, joy, and boundless enthusiasm. A renaissance in youth training engagement in Lech shaped an entire generation\u2014from recreational skiing to elite sports.

The Centennial Report

The Ski Club Arlberg, represented by its iconic SCA sweater, has been engaged in numerous initiatives. These include the creation of exclusive SCA products by Gitti Strolz, the introduction of the SCA card, and the publication of the acclaimed SCA book "A Centennial Report." This book was recognized in 2001 as one of Austria’s 12 most beautiful books and was awarded the Austrian Book Trade State Prize.

The "SCA" Brand is Growing

The standardized admission of members with sponsors, the meticulous brand management, and the protection of the SCA's word and image trademarks reflect the ambitious passion for the club. Michi Manhardt played a key role as a mentor, significantly supporting training and club activities. The SCA gondolas on the Rüfikopf I cable car are also a visible testament to this dedication.

2001 – The Ski World Championships in St. Anton am Arlberg

The Alpine Ski World Championships in St. Anton were THE major event of the winter of 2001. At the same time, the Ski Club Arlberg celebrated its 100th anniversary, highlighting the significance of this event. It was truly impressive to see an entire village in St. Anton come together to make this historic occasion a reality. From Lech's perspective, it was one of the best Ski World Championships of all time. The people of Lech experienced the 2001 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in St. Anton am Arlberg with great admiration for the positive and professional organization.

November 20, 2023 – A Look Back at 25 Successful Years

On November 20, 2023, a friendship evening was held at the Boutique Hotel Schmelzhof to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the re-establishment of the club. The event, hosted by Robert Strolz with guest of honor Dietmar Spiss, reflected on the pivotal decisions made at the time and the progress achieved through collective effort. The board of the Ski Club Arlberg in Lech expressed their gratitude to Dietmar Spiss for his leadership and the collaborative spirit characterized by trust and respect. This ethos is intended to inspire future generations.

Passing on Important Values

We aim to pass on tradition and history to the next generation, who will continue to shape the story of the Ski Club Arlberg. The Ski Club holds a special place for the communities of the Arlberg, for locals, employees, and guests around the world. This inspiration is carried out into the world and returns with even greater spirit through the strong bond of the Ski Club family. The Ski Club is a vital part of our lives and an essential element of the Arlberg lifestyle. The history of the Ski Club Arlberg is the history of alpine skiing.

ViVa!
Robert.