ZeitRaum - Luxury is always a bit cheeky A map of the clouds - Lech Zürs
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2020 | 2021 LECH ZÜRS MAGAZINE
ZeitRaum
Luxury is always A map of The sound
a bit cheeky the clouds of a place
Pure poetry – Lech’s A culinary trip Former ski pro Felix
traditional costumes through Zug Neureuther opens up
More Time. More Space.
LECH ZÜRS
Editorial
Dear reader,
From this issue onwards, our ZeitRaum
Magazine will receive a fresh new look. From
now on, the design, concept and editorial
work will be in the hands of our partner
friendship.is & Super BfG, a collective of
creative people who have been closely
associated with Lech Zürs for many years.
Among other things, the new ZeitRaum is
intended to reflect a combination between a
sense of tradition and the spirit of innovation
that has shaped and distinguished our
region and the entire holiday destination of
Vorarlberg for generations.
The values and unique qualities of Lech
Zürs will also be brought to the fore and new
perspectives will be opened up. Be it through
portraits, such as that of hotelier Herbert
Jochum in this issue, who over nine decades
of his life has accompanied the development
of Zürs. Or be it through exciting reports like
the one about climbing onto Roggalspitze.
Or be it during a foray through the gourmet
town of Zug, to name just a few.
Exceptional people, an impressive natural
environment, sports and leisure activities
as well as culture and joie de vivre in all its
facets - Lech Zürs has many faces. Our
Magazine is just as diverse and full of charac-
ter as the town itself, made to fulfil your
desire for discovery, holidays and reading.
Stuben am Arlberg Sincerely,
BERGAUF UND BERGAB, Hermann Fercher
Director of Lech Zürs Tourismus GmbH
DAMIT KENNEN WIR UNS AUS.
WER VIEL VORHAT, KOMMT ZU UNS.
Damit es für Sie bei Ihrer Anlage eher bergauf als bergab geht, brauchen Sie mehr als nur Glück.
Sie brauchen die exzellente Beratung der Hypo Vorarlberg, die genauso achtsam wie ambitioniert ist.
Wie wir Vorarlberger eben so sind.
Hypo Vorarlberg in Lech, Dorf 138, 6764 Lech
ZeitRaum 3
www.hypovbg.at/lech
LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
Contents Contents
Page 6 Page 37 Page 57 Page 73
ZeitRaum
ExerciseSpace
PleasureSpace
CultureSpace
Luxury is always All the way to the top – The ABC of wellbeing The snow painter from the
a bit cheeky in the most beautiful way 26 Tips Arlberg region
An interview with A climbing report from A portrait of Daisy Hoch
Lambert Wiesing Roggalkante Page 62
The 71st Arlberg Music Festival Page 78
Page 42 Pure poetry
The value of the moment Page 64 Lech’s traditional costumes analysed
An interview with former Into the future with gusto
professional skier Felix A culinary trip through Zug
Neureuther
Page 68
Silence in white Page 86
Page 13 Advent in Lech Zürs What does Lech Zürs sound like?
LifeSpace
In all honesty A text to listen to
A portrait of hotelier
Herbert Jochum Page 46
Omeshorn
Page 18 One mountain – a thousand
Sustainability: possibilities Page 11, 34 Page 90
WorthKnowing
A matter-of-fact priority Everything flows. Konnichiwa and Grüaß Eib!
Page 48 On water & snow Lech Zürs’ partner towns compared
Page 20 When the World Cup
The woman has comes home Page 54, 94 Page 92
what it takes An interview with Nina and What’s going on Golfing in harmony with nature
Angelika Kaufmann Patrick Ortlieb in Lech Zürs? Welcome to Zug’s golf course
provides safety The latest news
Page 93
Page 22 Page 70 Stefan Jochum
Work Life Lech What’s going on The new mayor
Column by Matthias Felsner in the winter?
A brief event calendar Page 96
Page 28 What’s going on in the summer?
A map of the clouds A brief event calendar
Illustration by Markus Fetz
Page 98
Page 32 Imprint
Holiday bliss – in the face
of a pandemic
Column by Martina Strolz
4 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 5
LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
Luxury
is always
a little
cheeky
Mr Wiesing, you have published a ideas about what should be regarded an experience of something pleasant.
book entitled Luxus (“Luxury”). as excessive effort. But apart from And ostentatious are those things
How do you define this term? that, one of the biggest problems that are used as a symbolic means
when talking about luxury is that the for self-expression. However, the
LAMBERT WIESING: Luxury is al- term is very often equated or con- German word Protz (“swank”) has a
ways tied to things that include an fused with two other terms: comfort negative connotation. Prestige means
exaggerated amount of effort. These and ostentation. the same thing, but is a much less
things become a luxury for someone biased word.
when, through the possession of this What distinguishes luxury from
irrationally elaborate thing, one makes ostentation and comfort? One could ask whether an experi-
the experience of being autonomous ence of luxury can be prepared or
as a person in relation to ideas of ex- LAMBERT WIESING: We are dealing planned?
Philosopher Lambert Wiesing was the first in his profession to deal pediency and appropriateness. That with three phenomena that are close-
with the term luxury in detail. In our interview, he tells us the difference is why luxury quickly turns into some- ly connected and can also occur simul LAMBERT WIESING: I believe that
between luxury, comfort and ostentation, what space, time and thing cheeky, one refuses to do what taneously or in conjunction. Luxury is it is rather counter-productive to pre-
aesthetic experiences have to do with it and to what extent all this applies they themselves consider reasonable. about the experience of autonomy pare such experiences: The more ad-
to places like Lech Zürs. In September of 2021 Wiesing will be a guest This applies to every experience of through the possession of irrationally vertising a place does, the more likely
at Philosophicum Lech. luxury. What varies greatly from per- elaborate things. Comfort, on the oth- it is to become a prestigious place.
son to person, however, are personal er hand, means a certain sensuality, Enthusiasts and connoisseurs, on the
6 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 7
LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
other hand, are looking for that certain are many people who don’t have that disregard your schedule and experi- order to be able to work more effi- optimise ourselves, which has be-
Enthusiasts clash with the ordinary. They are very many options in life. You are running ence that you are still in control of ciently afterwards, then I would not come more and more expected and
difficult to approach through advertis- the risk of being regarded as cynical your time, despite all expectations speak of luxury. normal in our society.
and connois- ing, because they are looking for what when you tell someone that time is a and conventions.
isn’t covered by advertising. It’s almost luxury commodity – just think of the Does luxury have anything to do You have talked about travelling
seurs, on the dialectic: The more you advertise, the people waiting in a refugee camp. Doesn’t taking time off in this way with ownership? before. What luxuries can the
less attractive it becomes for them. The people you have in mind when also save you time, because you tourist industry offer its guests?
other hand, you talk about time as a luxury good can recover and then perform LAMBERT WIESING: Yes, but not
Lech Zürs is a place that promises are probably people who have a busy better at work? necessarily ownership of large or ex- LAMBERT WIESING: You can’t offer
are looking for its visitors “more space and more life and a full schedule. When such pensive things. Here’s an example: It luxury like you can offer comfort or
time”. Space and time are unlimit- a person takes time off, it is usually LAMBERT WIESING: If you see it that takes fairly little effort to listen to en- prestige to someone. Luxury is about
that certain ed, yet only a limited amount is more comfort than luxury: At least way, then you are entering a logic of tire music albums on streaming plat- an aesthetic experience that may or
available to each and every one of when that person is enjoying the improvement: You take a holiday in or- forms on the Internet. Nevertheless, may not occur to someone under cer-
clash with the us. Does that make space and time peace and quiet. In certain circles, der to be able to work effectively. This more and more vinyl records have tain conditions. An aesthetic experi-
luxury goods? such time off can also be used as is very useful and not excessive or in- been sold in recent years. There may ence is always about an experience
ordinary. a prestige object to show off and im- appropriate. Luxury is something be various reasons for this – one is that makes you feel like a human be-
LAMBERT WIESING: That depends press. But as I said, luxury must be exaggerated, a break with such a log- certainly the appeal of this conscious ing. A kind of life experience in the
to a great extent on the way of life and distinguished from comfort and swag- ic of optimising practicality. In short: decision to avoid that idea of effec- sense that the individual feels that he
the lifestyle of the individual. There ger. Luxury is when you deliberately If you take a holiday exclusively in tiveness and the compulsion to or she is alive. This experience can by
8 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 9
LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
1,840 m
Water
Lechquelle
Lech
in Lech Zürs 1 °C
14 °C
Ø water
temperature in
G
the winter
E
Ø water
W
temperature in
H
the summer
C
The lakes of Lech Zürs:
E
L
Reutte
Zürsersee
2,160 m, 5.75 ha
Water supply:
Philosopher Monzabonsee
Lambert 2,150 m, 0.48 ha
Füssen
Wiesing Lech Falls
Schwarzbachquelle
→ born in Ahlen Butzensee Ø 140 l / sec.
in 1953, 2,124 m, 2.07 ha
→ is a Professor of
Philosophy with a
focus on image the-
ory and phenome-
nology at the Frie- Karbühelquelle
drich Schiller Univer- Ø 7.5 l / sec.
sity of Jena.
→ His book Luxus
was published by
Suhrkamp Verlag Spullersee
in 2015. 1,810 m, 50 ha Lech River |
Licca, “the rocky one”
Formarinsee
1,798 m, 15.9 ha
Landsberg
no means be achieved only through similarity with experiences of luxury, Approx. 750 house connections
luxury, but, as Kant said in his Critique because even in philosophizing, for 14 000 inhabitants and guests
Körbersee
of Judgement, also through the ex a lot of effort is often purposelessly 1,654 m, 3.1 ha
perience of beauty and sublimity – put into sometimes very small prob-
both phenomena more than a few lems that play no role in everyday
seek and experience when taking to life. Philosophers extensively discuss
the mountains. questions such as whether the key-
board on which they’re writing is real.
Lech Zürs also wants to create And this has a certain similarity with
more space and time for thought. the exaggerated effort that underlies
Augsburg
Philosophicum Lech was founded a luxury experience. Since Lech is a
on this premise 23 years ago. place where a great – and for many
Isn’t philosophy or a forum like an exaggerated – deal of effort is put
Philosophicum a luxury in itself? into many things, so Philosophicum 106 hydrants
in the urban area
fits in well. ↲
LAMBERT WIESING: Philosophizing
as an activity certainly has a structural
flows into the River Danube
at Marxheim (DE) – 392 m
10 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 11
LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
In all
Life modesty and
Space discretion It is the beginning
Page 13
of March when we
In all honesty
have our appoint-
A portrait of hotelier
Herbert Jochum ment with Herbert
Jochum at Hotel
Lorünser. A few
Page 18
days before the
Sustainability:
Corona lockdown.
A matter-of-fact priority
At that time, none of
us suspected that
Page 20
the events of the
The woman has
coming weeks and
what it takes
months would keep
Angelika Kaufmann
provides safety the whole world in
suspense. We wel-
come the 94-year-
Page 22
old in the same way
Work Life Lech
we used to before
Column by Matthias Felsner
Corona. We shake
hands. And sit down
Page 28
in a cosy corner
A map of the clouds
of the hotel in the
Illustration by Markus Fetz
center of Zürs. Only
a few guests are sit-
Page 32
ting in the lobby.
Holiday bliss – in the face
Everyone else is ski-
of a pandemic
ing. The season is in
Column by Martina Strolz
full swing.
12 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 13
LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
“I don’t know what to tell you,”
says Herbert Jochum. One could be
excused to think he didn’t run Hotel
Lorünser for decades, that there
was nothing for him to be proud of.
And this, although he is interwoven
with the place, with the house, as if
he were part of it. “He has never been
a great talker,” confirms his son
Gebhard, who took over the house
from his father almost 20 years ago
and now runs it together with his
wife Monica and his sister Elisabeth.
Herbert was born in Lech in 1925.
There were no ski lifts yet and the
snow seekers arrived by horse-drawn
carriage. At that time Hotel Lorünser
did not yet exist either; his father, also
called Gebhard, worked for Hotel
Alpenrose and taught tourists how to
Hotel Lorünser in 1932 ski in stylish three-quarter cloth trou-
sers. Wilhelm Lorünser had his house
built in 1927. Almost ten years later,
Gebhard Jochum and four colleagues
from the famous Zürs ski school,
which he had previously founded, were
to buy it. Five ski instructors acquiring
a hotel – a courageous step. It was
a logical step to turn it into a sport
hotel. “Our guests have always been
primarily interested in skiing, and
not in partying,” says Herbert Jochum.
The spirit of skiing was then, as now,
tangible in the halls of Hotel Lorünser.
Probably like no other hotel in the
region.
When his father and the others
bought Hotel Lorünser, Herbert
Jochum was a boy of ten who loved
skiing as much as his father. He
graduated from the commercial school
in Feldkirch, and during school holi-
days, he would already work at Hotel
Lorünser. After the Second World
Herbert Jochum (l.) in his role as War he travelled to London and Paris
the coach of the US National to learn English and French. He took
Women’s Team at the Olympic
Games 1952 in Oslo, tech-talking the exam to become a ski instructor,
with the Frenchman Emil Allais, in 1952 he even trained the American
himself the coach of the American women’s Olympic team for the Oslo
National Men’s Team.
Olympics. They won two gold medals.
He wouldn’t have told us if we hadn’t
asked. He also doesn’t mention that he Herbert Jochum (r.) as a young ski instructor
himself was a talented racer before in Aspen/Colorado (1952). Next to him is
Friedl Pfeifer from St. Anton am Arlberg and
he started training others. The man is his deputy Fred Iselin (l.).
modesty impersonated.
14 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 15
LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
Herbert Jochum training Soraya
Esfandiari-Bachtiar, wife of the
Persian Shah Mohammad Reza
Even in New
Pahlavi in Sun Valley, USA (1955).
York, you don't
have to men-
tion the name
Loruenser.
It’s enough
to say:
Jochum.
Herbert Jochum speaks slowly that.” And then he jokes: “You’ll have
and calmly. He remembers all the im- to worm everything out of me.” He got There were Ah, you’re
portant events and the corresponding into his profession by chance, he
dates. 1937: Austria’s first T-bar lift is says. “But if you don’t like what you’re no caviare talking about
built in Zürs. 1949: First major recon- doing, you can’t succeed at it, that’s
struction of Hotel Lorünser. 1952 to for sure. You have to be able to talk or oyster Hotel
1954: Trips to the USA, which were to to the guests.”
have a strong influence on him. He festivals, but Lorünser.
loved working as a ski instructor at the And talk to the guests, entertain
Sun Valley winter sports resort in Ida- the guests he could. And despite the only fun
ho. He wanted to travel on to Chile fact that he no longer made any jour-
and then settle in the USA, “but then I neys abroad, the world came to him: evenings,
had to come back to continue the People from all over the world, crazy
business.” He did what he had to do. about skiing, appreciated Sporthotel without a dress
And it sounds a little like he did it Lorünser from the very beginning –
more out of a sense of duty than en- he himself was still a small boy and code. There
thusiasm. Thus Herbert Jochum be- Hotel Lorünser was a rather simple
came the managing director of Hotel dwelling. Initially, there was only one was a lot of
Lorünser in 1955. For decades he bathroom on each floor, for which the
ran it together with his wife Inge, née guests had to add their names to a mischief, we
Moosbrugger, whom he was to marry list. Wooden walls with many gaps only
in 1958. “I’d known her since I was sporadically separated the rooms always had a
a kid,” he says. At Hotel Lorünser, Inge and at night the hotel entrance was
was responsible for the staff and the locked. It was not until the 1950s good time. Jochum’s time, a lot happened at re even though it is known that Hotel
kitchen, as Herbert Jochum relates. that the hotel industry experienced gular intervals – reconstructions, exten- Lorünser used to and still hosts many
“Like a housewife,” he says, smiling. an upswing. sions, optimisations. New equipment celebrity regulars.
Of course, she was more than that. was added to the rooms, a new well-
Inge Jochum has since passed away. Regular guest Meta Werner, who Hotel Lorünser; its dress code was ness area and new roof terrace were “Now I’ve told you some things
had been coming here since 1934, kept rather casual, but always in style. built. “I always liked to build,” he says. after all,” says Herbert Jochum as
Herbert Jochum is a veteran described the atmosphere like this: Once a week a band was booked and we come to the end. We agree. The
hotelier, one who was always around, “Even before the word ‘hip’ existed, a house ball was held. And supposed- And the guests were always hap- Jochums belong to Hotel Lorünser
one who always had an opinion. Every the Lorünser was already ‘hip’. The ly Hotel Lorünser had the best hot py to come back, many of them for like the deep snow belongs to Lech
one here knows him. When he takes best skiers in the world knew that it chocolate in the region. “Oh, is that decades. The Christmas season was Zürs. Another regular said it best: “ (...)
his little walks through the village, a lot was the place to stay at. There were so?” Herbert Jochum asks and laughs. always fully booked for years; guests even in New York, you don’t have to
of people want to talk to him. He hasn’t no caviare or oyster festivals, but only appreciated the family yet sophisti mention the name Loruenser. It’s
been skiing for seven years because fun evenings, without a dress code. During the first reconstruction in cated atmosphere. And in the middle enough to say: Jochum. Ah, you’re
of vertigo. When asked what makes a There was a lot of mischief, we always 1949, the rooms were given private of it all was Herbert Jochum. He talking about Hotel Lorünser.“ ↲
good host, he answers with a modest had a good time.” You didn’t have bathrooms and toilets and the front hall keeps a low profile about his guests;
smile: “What can I say? I can’t judge to wear a tuxedo or evening dress at was renovated. Even during Herbert he does not mention any names,
16 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 17
LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
Lech Zug Oberlech Zürs
Energy supply
65 000 000 kWh
of energy are generated using Biomass in the village
8 million litres
of furnace oil
22,000 tons of CO2
80 % 98 %
are saved
of the energy required of Lech Zurs households are annually
are generated from renewable connected to heat and energy
biomass supply from biomass
Mobility
~ 1 million CO2 23
passengers are transported by emissions from transport parking spaces with charging systems
the Lech Zuers' “blue fleet” in Oberlech in the winter at the “Green Garage”
2,000
Sustainability:
trees are planted annually at the nursery
A matter-of-fact priority
Flora
Oberlech is car-free. Lech and Zürs handle public energy and operates all of its cable cars and chair
transport using a hybrid bus. Electric vehicles can be lifts, mountain restaurants, snow producing systems
parked and charged up in its “Green Garage”. Four etc. with TÜV certified green energy from Austrian
biomass plants in Lech, Oberlech, Zürs and Zug use hydropower. Nature speaks for itself anyway in Lech
regional wood chips (a renewable source of energy) Zürs. Making tourism and our life as sustainable as
to produce enough heat for all houses and compa- possible is a matter of fact for us. Much has been
nies in Lech Zürs. Skilifte Lech operates Schottenhof done, much is being done and a lot still remains to be
in Oberlech as an example for progressive high-al- done. And we are working on it, every day.
pine farming. Since its inhabitation some 700 years
ago and up to this day, Lech’s farmers contribute to You can read what are up to in terms of sustainability in our “Gestern. Heute.
landscape conservation through their hard work. Morgen.” sustainability brochure, available at Lech Zürs Tourismus or by mail from
Ski-Zürs AG fully invests in regenerative sources of www.lechzuers.com/en/brochure-order
18 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 19LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
The woman … has what it takes
Angelika Kaufmann is an returned to Lech Zürs. First When Angelika Kaufmann “Where and if blasting takes
avalanche blaster in Lech she worked as a blasting sets off on her blasting mis place is decided by the re-
Zürs, the only woman on the assistant at her father’s side sions, she has a ten kilogram spective commission for its
Arlberg in this area and one for a year. Now, she has backpack on her. It contains area.” The commission to
of at most four in all of Austria. been a master blaster and fuses, a detonating machine which Angelika belongs is
The 34-year-old inherited a member of the avalanche and battery, detonators and responsible for the ski slopes
her job from her father. He commission for more ammunition. “The explosive around Steinmähder, Hasen-
had already been working as than ten years. Angelika and ammunition – for example sprung and Rotschrofen.
a blaster for years when her team secure the slopes Lavinit – is only available in a
Angelika found his job to in the skiing area by means bunker directly on the moun-
be “cool”. “His stories soun- of planned blasting. tain,” explains the demolition
ded dramatic and action- expert. Every blast is prepa-
packed. I liked that.” After red directly on site. The criti-
training to become a state- cal points are marked in a
certified ski instructor and map system and are sighted
ski guide and working at the on skies. A helicopter is used
Ski Austria Academy, she if the weather allows it.
20 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 21LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
Work
Life
Lech
Lech as a temporary
place of work
In the sixties, seventies and eight- to network with them, to share experi-
ies, hoteliers and ski guides tell me, ences. All this factors have simplified
many guests often stayed in Lech Zürs many workflows in recent years, ex-
for four weeks or more at a time. In panded our possibilities, allowed us
this context, one would be excused to pack more encounters into one day
to think primarily of the small fortunes than any generation before us.
that were probably spent in the pro-
cess. Perhaps it is also worth remem- As always, there is also a coun-
bering how, during this time on the ter-trend. People who are pro-actively
slopes, in the terrain or in the evenings changing their communication be-
at the hotel bars of Lech Zürs, deep haviour, actively ending their social
friendships, close networks and ben- media activities or at least conscious-
eficial business relationships were ly limiting their digital interactions.
formed which ultimately proved to be Meetings, even if this is supposedly
practically priceless. The “old genera- more time-consuming, are increas-
tion” obviously had an intuitive talent ingly being conducted in real life
for work-life blending, as we refer to again. Covid-19 is able to slow down
the fusion of private and professional but not stop this burgeoning come-
life today. Even back then, a clean back of meeting in person and talking
separation between the two areas in both private and professional
of life was something no-one would contexts.
strive for, having a workation was al-
most en vouge. And above all, another trend is
developing that neatly combines digi-
Of course, internal company com tal work and analogue experiences:
munication via digital channels such We call it “workation”: In other words,
as Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams etc. temporarily moving one’s individual
or meetings with dozens of partici- workplace to where people usually take
pants across the globe didn’t exist, their holidays, moving to the moun-
and neither did Facebook, Instagram tains for a few weeks every year to
and the like, now used to acquire work from there. And to live. In fresh
hundreds if not thousands of friends, air, in a new environment and in the
22 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 23LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
Nowhere
else can you
get out into
nature and
back to work
again more
quickly
and easily.
midst of nature, which ideally produc- Of course, this is not possible for What’s the ideal place for this?
es new thoughts, brings upon a new everyone due to family, financial or in- It has got to be a place where every-
impetus, enables new neuronal struc- dustry-specific circumstances. How- one shares a passion – and where this
tures in the brain – and, by the way, a ever, a highly intensive, highly effec- passion can be experienced directly.
feeling of holidays. tive work phase with your own team, a Lech Zürs is one of those rare places
so-called sprint in great surroundings, where the ski resort literally starts
is feasible and therefore worth con- right at your doorstep – and not just
sidering for many – with a ‘bonus’ holi- after an ascent with two feeder gon-
day feeling for everyone thrown into dolas. Within five minutes, the cross-
the bargain. Analogue brainstorming country ski trail takes you from the invite you to get into conversation. “hubs” for hotels, where like-minded infrastructure and, not to forget, its
on the terrace of the Freiburger Hütte village centre into the wilderness Conversations that lead to skiing a people can come together in a beau- authentic and innovative hosts has
in the morning, Alpine experiences and silence of the Zug Valley. The trail deep-snow slope the following day tiful place, to work on projects un everything this market demands – in
in one of the most beautiful destina- run up to Wöster has its starting point with a new friend, an employee, a po- disturbed and break out of familiar its role as an organically grown social
tions in the Alps during the day, time to behind the church. Perfect conditions tential business partner – and then to structures. hub that brings people together in a
… to act out
exchange private and professional for those who want to combine leisure discuss a joint project idea at very natural way. We will have to wait
experiences in a team at night. Venti- with work. No matter whether you want lunchtime. And, of course, hosts – people and and see what the future actually
of the box, lated, inspired, contentedly tired. your break to last 30 minutes or sev- places – will also deal with this devel- brings. One thing is for sure: People
eral hours – nowhere else can you get These opposites – getting to opment. How will hoteliers in Lech long to work from different places.
using nature As already mentioned, this tem- out int nature and back to work again know each other personally, making Zürs expand their range of services And that’s not a new thing. Maybe we
porary departure from the structured more quickly and easily. High-speed real connections, then working re- in order to satisfy the growing de- should learn to let the longing be
as a source of work environment is nothing new in Internet access is available almost motely again over a longer period mands of their clientèle in the future? longing and just do it – just like the
principle, but we have obviously lost everywhere, even at the lodges up in of time – are extremely important. How can mid-seasons be used for generation before us. ↲
strength and sight of it or simply forgotten it. For- the mountains. Unless you don’t want That is why there will be a lot more this? Will hotel rooms and lobbies be
gotten to escape the beaten track, or, it. Then it’s deliberately left out. The work to do in the next few years in designed differently? Will bed and → Turn the page to read more on
inspiration more generally speaking, to act out of key word is digital detoxing. terms of workation. There are already breakfasts, apartment rental compa- the most important terms in the field
the box, using nature as a source of specialised agencies whose business nies and hotels cooperate more of New Work.
to be creative strength and inspiration to be crea- When it comes to night life, Lech model is to help companies organise closely to connect an exciting mix of
tive, be productive, meet new people Zürs offers world-renowned restau- their working holidays. There are ar- people? Lech Zürs with its interna-
… and much more. rants, bars and hotel lobbies that chitectural firms that design perfect tional guest structure, the existing
24 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 25LECH ZÜRS
The little glossary
of the brave new
working world
Co-working space Remote work
Business concept where self- Working independently of one’s
employed persons or freelancers can place of work Having a home office
rent temporary workstations including is also a form of remote work. There
infrastructure such as WLAN, printers is a German word for it, but the Eng-
or meeting rooms. Some co-working lish term has also become estab-
spaces can be rented on a monthly lished in the German-speaking world.
basis, others on a daily basis.
Workation
Digital nomads Merging work and vacation –
Self-employed persons or em- working where others take their
ployees who only need a laptop and vacation.
Internet access to do their work,
can therefore work from almost any- Matthias
where and often change their place Work-life blending Felsner
of residence. A term that is repeatedly used
in the “new work” context instead → born 1975 in Tyrol,
of “work-life balance”. In the future, grew up in Lech Zürs
→ one of the brains
New Work according to the theory, private and behind friendship.is,
A concept created by philosopher professional lives would become in- the communication
Frithjof Bergmann in the 1980s as creasingly intertwined - which is why agency in charge of
this magazine
a “new way of working” characterised New Work experts consider a clean → enjoys combining
by certain features such as inde separation to be no longer possible work and leisure
pendence of time and place or flexi- or appropriate. time in Lech Zürs
bility, and which is primarily about
self-realisation: Doing what you “real-
ly, really want to do” (Bergmann). Work & travel
Travelling from place to place to
take on odd jobs there again and
again. The focus is on travelling and
Home of
not on working: Work is basically only
done to make travel possible.
Fine Watches & Jewellery
www.huber-lech.at
ROLEX AUDEMARS PIGUET CARTIER HUBLOT IWC TUDOR
26 ZeitRaum POMELLATO BOUCHERON SHAMBALLA JEWELS SERAFINO CONSOLILECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
Cirrocumuli
These thin, small,
white clouds of Altocumuli
ice crystals look These medium-height, white or grey clouds are usually as
harmless, but they harmless as sheep. Unless they form small towers - then
n g
g o i
are harbingers there is a chance of snow or rain.
’ s t o n . of thunderstorms.
r a i
I t Altostrati
is approaching.
thunderstorm
A heavy
These bluish-grey
cloud layers often
Cirrostrati extend over hun-
If stratus clouds block out the sun dreds of kilometres.
like long veils, it will almost certainly The sun then appears The weather will
not stay dry. as if through a frost- remain as it is.
ed glass pane – and
sometimes it is no
longer visible at all.
Stratocumuli
Grey, sometimes white,
deep and thick clouds
er is go
indicate an improvement
in the weather, especially
th
The wea
ing
in winter.
to ge
y s n o w fa l l
If the mountains are Heav is t te d .
wearing hats, the o b e e x p ec
t
b e t r.
weather will be good. te
(A saying)
Stratus clouds
A continuous grey
layer of low hanging
clouds usually spells
bad weather.
Cloud cap
A mountain wears a
cloud cap only when
the atmosphere is
stable without the
chance of rain or Early morning fog t h er is
we a wors e .
thunderstorms. Rolling mist in the morning
he go ge t
promises a “lovely day”. T i n g to
If it’s grey in the morning,
the skies will be blue later
A map of
on. (A saying)
the clouds
They can be as fluffy as cotton candy and feathers –
or as dense and thick as a heavy blanket. And even
when they’re quiet they always have something to say
about the weather. Those who know how to read clouds
can plan with confidence. And know whether the time
is right for an extensive hike in the mountains, a quick
run down the slopes or an afternoon at the spa.
28 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 29LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
Red skies in the evening
spell good weather.
Nimbostrati
Afterglow
These grey snow or rain clouds often
cover the whole horizon. Their under- A red sunset means that the sky
side appears dark because the large in the west is almost free of
drops of water in them let almost no clouds. It follows that it will prob-
The time of day of their sunlight through. A thunderstorm ably not rain the next day.
appearance makes all is approaching.
the difference. Thunderclouds –
Cumulonimbi
These gigantic, dense, swelling towers
of clouds carry a lot of water and can
Cumulus clouds reach a height of up to ten kilometres.
The dense water clouds are reminiscent
of domes or cauliflowers. If they appear
around midday and disappear again in
the evening, the weather will remain fine;
if they appear in the morning or evening,
the weather might become worse.
T w b s
h i e n
e l o
r l w
e .
Cirrus clouds: cirri (pl.), cirrus (sing.)
Cumulus clouds: Cumuli (pl.), cumulus (sing.)
Stratus clouds: strati (pl.), stratus (sing.)
30 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 31LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
Holiday bliss – You let your mind wander out in the
forest, pensively growing in the moun-
tains. Your soul breathes: Quiet.
in the face of a
pandemic cloud on the horizon. The heart pumping with joy. The
rush of speed. The privilege of the empty pistes, thanks
to an early gondola ride.
Let us accept it with gratitude! At least every addi-
tional day that it continues. Every run that we can enjoy,
every kilometre on the trail that we conquer without
breaking a sweat. Every dumpling we enjoy at the lodge,
Or shall we take it easy and embark on a winter maintaining our distance from each other – never again
walk? Softly the crystals crunch under the soles, the eyes will it taste so good, because at any moment a newly de-
take in the beauty of the landscape. You let your mind creed travel warning could pull the plate from under our
wander out in the forest, pensively growing in the moun- noses. Holiday bliss is no longer a given, but is bestowed
tains. Your soul breathes: Quiet. upon us lucky ones by a kindly fate.
Man in harmony with the elements. Life is perfect. And when, in a few months, everything is back to
Everything is as it should be. Everything is the way it al- normal, when a vaccine is available and the virus is get-
ways was. Nothing can dampen the mood. Up to the mo- ting bored with infecting people, let us remember this
ment in which at the end of the day, you return to a fa- gratitude and the tolerance for unavoidable
miliar restaurant, and – with the expression of a con circumstances:
noisseur on your face – let the waiter know that you don’t
have to see the menu, that you will have what you had I have to wear a mask? So be it! Let’s just get up
last year, and the year before that. The waiter (he too onto the mountain.
has always been here) regretfully shrugs his shoulders:
“Sorry, we’ve changed the menu a little bit. Unfortunate- My favourite dish has disappeared from the menu?
ly, we no longer serve your favourite. Are you sure you Never mind! I can instead sit in the sun in front of
don’t want to take a look at the menu?” the lodge.
Depending on whether you have children with you Queuing to get onto the lift? Whatever! Let’s enjoy
and depending on their inherent temperament, the fol- the view while we’re waiting.
lowing scenes either involve tears or a temper tantrum,
or at least unenthusiastically veiled disappointment. Ultimately, life is still beautiful. Despite the virus or
even because of it.
But why does everything on holiday always have to
It’s snowing. And nature acts as if everything was all as follows: What I really like in 2020/21 is that in the be the same as it has always been? If you take into account
right. As if this were a winter like any other. As if it were first gondola onto the Rüfikopf, I no longer have to get that most people only get five weeks of holiday time per
enough to cover the earth, the mountain pastures, the so close to the other people that I can smell how many year, it becomes easier to understand. Valuable holiday
mountains themselves with the cold, white element for drinks the closely crammed occupants had the previous time should simply feel right, like a tailor-made suit.
which the Inuit, so they say, have 70 words. But this year, evening, or if the lady at the left feasted on salami at the
even that is not enough to create a world of blissfulness. breakfast buffet. This year I can breathe freely and let Now, over the years, tailor made suits have the habit
Author
the fresh mountain air flow deeply through my lungs – of starting to pinch. Rarely can someone wear his or
Martina
There was a time when our biggest concern was not at least the bit that my FFP2-mask lets through. her confirmation suit to a wedding or – ultimately – be
Strolz
to lose radio reception right at that moment when our buried in their wedding suit at some point. Life equals
favourite song was playing and we were about to impress So let’s talk about the good things in life: a perfect change. Of the body, the suit and the menu too. Pity. But
→ born in Bregenz in
our kids in the back of the car with our ability to sing holiday in Lech – back in the day. it’s true. 1971, a graphic artist
along and recall the lyrics flawlessly. Today, we follow and writer by trade,
the latest infection figures of a region while on the It’s one of those days you love the winter for. Far Let us once again engage in the difficult balancing → spends half a
year in Lech and the
way there. away from the grey slush and all the penetrating fog of act between the suit, the menu, Lech, and let us also other half on Lake
the city. An icy cold, sunny January day in Lech. Cool throw this stupid virus into the mix: This unusual winter Constance.
Oh, Corona, it’s difficult to love thee! But one should mirrored ski goggles protect my eyes from the sun’s season 20/21, the course of which – I bet – no astrologer, → Her novel “Hotel
Mimosa” was published
see good in every thing and flip the coin until it falls on harmful rays, a sporty suit shelters my body against the clairvoyant or even a virologist could’ve predicted, will in 2018. The second
the other side. My not entirely voluntary conclusion runs cold. Mountains as far as the eye can see. Not a single remain in our memory. one is in the works.
32 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 33LECH ZÜRS 6,000 m
Snow
niverse.
he u
in t
in Lech Zürs
ms
n ato
formations tha
approx. 1 h
till touch-down
Record year 1966/67
s ta l
cry
re possible snow
13.1 m of fresh snow
o
e are m
in other words, ther
The largest 13.1 m
snow flakes
form at
Cruising speed 4 km/h
0 °C
Ø 7.6 m of fresh snow per year
er or,
like the oth Parties and celebrations
1947 – 2020
s
Fresh snow per year in metres
ke i
No snowfla
Ø Winter temperature
A GLAMOROUS SETTING FOR WEDDINGS
AND FAMILY CELEBRATIONS.
A LASTING MEMORY
OF AN EXCEPTIONAL TIME.
-7.4 °C -1.7 °C
2012/13 1988/89
Romantik Hotel
„Die Krone von Lech“
Familie Pfefferkorn
Dorf 13
2,000 m 6764 Lech am Arlberg
Österreich
Photos from Herbert Lehmann
1940 On average, Lech is snow-covered from 15 November onwards 2020
Telefon: +43 5583 2551
email@kronelech.at
www.kronelech.at
34 ZeitRaumLECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
All the way
to the top –
in the most beautiful way
Page 37
All the way to the top – in
the most beautiful way
A climbing report from
Roggalkante
Page 42
The value of the moment
An interview with former profes-
sional skier Felix Neureuther
Page 46
Omeshorn
One mountain – a thousand
possibilities
Page 48
When the World Cup
comes home
An interview with Nina
and Patrick Ortlieb
Exercise
Space There are climbs that have promising names or boast the highest difficulty.
And then there are lines, like the north edge on Roggalspitze, which
lead to the summit in such a logical and beautiful way that you simply have
to add it to your list of achievements.
36 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 37LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
An alpine classic probably not the reason for the leg- here is technical climbing, not just
“Lake Spullersee”, says Stefan endary character of the route, which pulling up. Below me lies a chasm
as we continue on, “is used by the was first climbed by the brothers of at least 500 meters. I’m grinning.
Federal Railways to generate energy – Franz and Max Harrer in 1932. At that Roggalspitze really lives up to its
for the tunnel.” He’s talking about the time they had untouched rock under- reputation as an alpine classic.
Arlberg railway. In the 1920s, the neath them, but only had nailed
original high Alpine lake was dammed mountain boots at their disposal to Views in all directions
and connected to the power plant find friction on the limestone. I don’t We are standing at the belay sta-
building in Wald am Arlberg via a tun- want to swap with them and clip tion of the seventh pitch. Exposed
nel and pipeline system. Since then myself to the belay at the belay sta- and airy, but enough space for four
Innsbruck has been connected to tion next to Stefan. “Let’s change feet and two bodies. Clouds are piling
Bludenz by way of electricity. And if shoes, shall we?” Stefan asks me. up in the west. Without uttering a
you look closely, you can see old I nod and we pull our climbing shoes word, we both know what we have to
foundation walls in the gravel bed of out of our backpacks. That’s a good do. Keep climbing quickly, take a
the lake. They bear witness to the sign. From now on, I guess we really short rest at the top and then get off
first Walser settlements here on the will climb. And at once the predicted the mountain. Stefan says that the
Arlberg. Stefan doesn’t know why wind is coming up. We climb further most beautiful part of the tour is
people moved up here. “Maybe they up to the first shoulder. With every ahead of us. And he isn’t wrong: The
felt too warm down in the valley,” he metre the air is getting cooler, the next 80 metres promise exposed
says and opens the cattle gate. We Mountain and ski guide views of the valley more impressive. climbing in direct line with the North
have reached Ravensburg Hut. Stefan Bitriol After the second shoulder Stefan Pillar. To the left and right of it one
dances over the first key spot of looks into deep rocky gorges. A dizzy-
With fully filled drinking bottles → Born on 28 October 1981 the fourth pitch of rope and disap- ing sight, if you are not hanging in a
we continue uphill. At the foot of in Bludenz pears behind the edge. From now on climbing rope and feel a slight pull
→ Co-Managing Director of
Spuller Schafberg (2,679 m), we con- Arlberg Alpin – Alpine and we climb in the shadow of the wall. upwards. Stefan prefers to belay a
tinue across the green alpine mead- Skiing School little closer, he says. Because the
ows of Grazer Staffel, further east → State certified mountain and Actually it’s always the same guests with whom he travels in the
ski guide, canyoning guide and
towards Roggalspitze. We talk little, climibing instructor to amateur procedure: climb up, stop, unhook the mountains every day more confi-
walk fast. Again and again I look up to and professional athletes intermediate belay, attach to the har- dence. And trust is important, regard-
the edge: An alpine classic, I was told. → Has been working in outdoor ness and follow the course of the less of whether your climb is classi-
sports since 2003
One of the ten best edge climbing → Motto: “Everything is ‘tippi rope until you reach the next interme- fied as a fourth or tenth degree of dif-
tours in the Alps, I have read. An toppi’ (‘jolly good’)” diate belay and finally the belay sta- ficulty. You have to be able to rely on
amazing experience, Stefan had said. tion. That’s climbing by descent. For each other. And Stefan always keeps
A feeling of anticipation is taking the person in front, in our case Stefan, his word. I would probably believe him
hold of me. Because soon the walking the matter is far more challenging: if he said there was no storm coming.
will end and we will finally start climb- He has to look for the line in the rock; If the sky hadn’t turned dark long ago.
ing. There is no better reason for he has to know where to find drill
hiking. Stefan agrees and is holding hooks and where to place intermedi- And then everything happens
his hands tightly interlocked under ate belays in the rock and above all, very quickly. The last pitch of rope we
the shoulder straps of his backpack. he has to do one thing: Not fall. This climb on a running belay, because the
We may have walked fifteen or takes off his vest. White traces of salt A posture that is the hallmark of many is one of the most important rules terrain is easy. Only once do I have to
twenty steps, no more. Stefan stops on the backpack strap indicate that mountain guides. Someone once told when moving in alpine climbing ter- use my hands to help, but then the
and turns to me: “Almost a little too he has shed a lot of sweat in the me that it is supposed to protect from rain. That’s why you actually always summit cross is already rising above
hot to climb, isn’t it?” Sweat is dripping mountains. The patch on the head the wind. There is no wind yet. “But choose a route that is easier than me. The best thing to do there is to sit
from his forehead, getting caught pocket gives away that he is a moun- there will certainly be a nice breeze at what you are capable of in such un- down on one of the big rocks and let
in his blond chin-length curls. The tain guide. And the turquoise-blue the top of the edge,” says Stefan con- dertakings. This leaves time for a look Stefan show you the mountains: In
morning sun is scorching hot. And al- colour of Lake Spullersee in the back- fidently. After all, he has climbed sev- into the distance. And you should the south, the Ötztal Alps rise up, in
though we are standing at over 1,800 m ground tells me that the basin stores eral six-thousand-metre peaks in Ne- definitely let your eyes wander. If you front of which lies the Verwall. Locat-
above sea level, the comfortable as- melt water, a fact Stefan will confirm pal and has completed the most diffi- do, you can see Bregenzerwald Forest ed to the far left is Ortler, the highest
cent to Ravensburg Hut feels like a later. The 39-year-old managing di- cult climbing routes in the Dolomites. in the north and behind it the Allgäu mountain in South Tyrol, and to the
Bikram march. We have only brought rector of Alpinschule Arlberg knows This is probably why he has that inner Alps. I think I can see Großer Widder- west you can see the Rätikon, the
thirty meters of altitude difference the area, the mountains, the people peace and bold composure that stein, but Stefan is out of call and out Adula Alps and Tödi, the tallest rock
behind us. Somehow I doubt that we and of course our destination today: mountain guides are renowned for. of sight. But the rope signal tells me formation in the Glarus Alps. And
will make it back to the parking lot at the north edge ascending to 2,673 m that I can climb up. So I push myself below us are Lake Spullersee and
Lake Spullersee before the predicted high Roggalspitze. Edge climbing par excellence over a small overhang and find myself Ravensburg Hut amidst green mead-
weather change. Stefan, however, Brittle rock, greasy steps. The in a vertical plate. Many small steps, ows. Lingering above us are black-
calmly puts the backpack down and first of ten pitches of rope are but few handholds. What is required grey clouds, with the first roars or
38 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 39LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
Factbox
Roggalspitze
→ Level of difficulty: 4+
→ Rope lengths: 10
→ Climbing elevation: 350 m
→ Climbing time: 2.5 h
→ Access:
From the Spullersee parking
lot, first follow the signs for
Ravensburger Hütte (approx.
30 min.). After that, walk further
into the valley to the Alpine huts
of Brazer Staffel and ascend
along a narrow path to your left,
later through steeper rocky terrain
to the Northern Canyon (1 h). The
access is to your right and above
on a wide ledge (approx. 2,300 m).
→ Equipment:
1 × 50 m single rope
Helmet
Band loop
8 express loops
Basic assortment of mobile
support devices (chocks/friends)
→ Characteristics:
Alpine edge and ledge climbing,
mostly on compact rock in Alpine
terrain. Especially the upper rope
sections run in a direct line along
the edge and promise great
climbing meters.
→ Descent:
The descent is along the marked
and partially secured regular
path on the southwest side
thunder coming in fast. We pack up stumbling and slipping is still not to the foot of the wall and on to
Ravensburger Hut or the
and head out. an option. In classic mountain guide Spullersee car park (2 h).
fashion, Stefan has tied me to the
Descending is rarely a fun thing short rope. Together we work our way
to do, because going up is always down. Twice we have to cross small
easier than going down – for physical old snow fields, around which small
reasons alone as the joints do not like streams have formed. This makes
going downhill. Stefan doesn’t care the rock wet and the descent even
about that. He wants off the moun- more slippery than it already is. At a
tain. Whether we like it or not. The fast rate we reach the foot of the wall,
thunderstorm is coming closer and grab the rope and start running. The
closer and neither Stefan nor I want first few drops hit us on the the last
to become lightning rods today. But metres towards the parking lot. Then
descending quickly is one of those it flashes and cracks, and the skies
things. You’re exhausted from going open. But that does not detract us
up, you’re lacking focus and motiva- from the experience we just had.
tion. And the normal route on the That’s the way it is when you want to
south-east side of Roggalspitze is make your way to the top in the most
more challenging than expected: The beautiful way. The northern edge of
craggy terrain is exposed and sloping. Roggalspitze is pretty damn close. ↲
Where the rock allows it, the danger
of falling is reduced by wire ropes;
40 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 41LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
You retired in March 2019, until manifestations – whether left or right.
then you had dedicated a lot of Maybe I On the one hand, I see digitisation as
your life to skiing. How does it feel a great opportunity, but on the other
to suddenly have so much time? should have hand it is also a huge problem. So it
isn’t exactly easy right now. But then
FELIX NEUREUTHER: To be honest, shut up once I keep meeting so many young people
I don’t really have that much time who are so positive and who are en-
even now. It was very important for me in a while. gaged in cool things. Who stand up for
to smoothly transition from profes- their convictions and take to the
sional sport to normal life. As a matter streets for it. And then I say to myself
of fact, I don’t believe that after so that it’s not going to be that bad after
many years at the top of professional all if they are the future. The future
sports, it is possible to simply stop can also be rosy. But we all have to
and do nothing. I was lucky that I work together – even the older gener-
didn't have to end my career over- ation has to pitch in.
night; instead I was able to prepare
for it slowly. Now – after a little time to Do you feel that we are living in a
The value of
reflect – I am still very happy and sat- fast-paced and hectic age?
isfied with the decision I made.
FELIX NEUREUTHER: Yes, we are
In an interview with Frankfurter living in extremely fast-paced times.
the moment
Allgemeine Zeitung a few years Digitisation and social media influ-
ago, you said the following refer- ence our way of thinking so strongly
ring to the life of an athlete: “Over that we have developed completely
the years I had to learn to simply different values. But that is not my
enjoy individual moments.” Did world. Different values matter for me.
you now also have to learn to enjoy Life isn’t always about higher, faster,
your free time? further, more beautiful, more expen-
sive, richer … For me it’s all about re-
FELIX NEUREUTHER: Everything is spect, acceptance, humanity and
very different now. I used to measure also about being down to earth.
moments by successes. And now it’s
other moments that give me satisfac- Maybe I should have shut up once in You mentioned values that are
tion. One of my children smiling at me, a while. But actually, maybe not. I just important for you personally. Which
for example. These moments have a say what’s on my mind, the way things topics do you think are the ones
different quality. In sport, I used to be are. And if I see that things are going most often neglected in public
subjected to extreme pressure at all in the wrong direction in one area, I discourse?
times. That’s why I said back then try to counteract. Especially when it
that I first had to learn to enjoy these comes to sport or exercise. Because FELIX NEUREUTHER: Once again,
moments. Leading after the first leg, these issues are so central to our I would say: Respect. If we accepted
standing at the top waiting for the society – especially for children. You other people the way they are, we
starting signal and knowing that simply have to address mistakes would all enjoy life much more. Re-
50,000 spectators are waiting at the clearly and openly. spect plays a central role in my life.
finish can become strenuous, but it’s For years I had to accept the fact that
actually something wonderful. You have two small children your there was a little Austrian (editor’s
self and are involved with the note: Marcel Hirscher) who is a pretty
Former professional ski racer Felix Neureuther Even during your active career United Kids Foundation. When good skier. I have always tried to be
has spent a lot of time in various places around the you were not one to keep opinions you think about the future of your better than him, but also accepted
world. In our interview, he tells us why he only saw to yourself. Time and again top children or, more generally, the when I wasn’t. And to respect him
very few of them, what moments he remembers athletes are accused of living in children of today’s generation: as a person.
and what he likes to spend his time with after retir- a bubble. Do you think that top What makes you feel positive?
ing from professional sports. In addition, the man athletes should use their populari- What worries you? Often Marcel Hirscher was only
from Garmisch-Partenkirchen reveals what makes ty to speak out and get involved fractions of a second in front of
the Lech Zürs region special to him. in social issues? FELIX NEUREUTHER: There isn’t that you. In skiing, you have to invest
much that makes me feel positive. an insane amount of money to be
FELIX NEUREUTHER: The question The political situation is getting worse. just a little bit faster than the
is, did I do what was good for me?! There are more and more extreme others. Does it sometimes drive
42 ZeitRaum ZeitRaum 43LECH ZÜRS LECH ZÜRS
come to a halt, they don’t develop and
But I only fall ill. My family and I are lucky to have
the most beautiful mountains at home
really learned on our doorstep. Moving, exercising,
is particularly fun in such
from defeats surroundings.
and I am In an interview you once said that
the Arlberg, apart from your home,
grateful for is your favourite skiing area. What
makes Lech Zürs stand out?
them because
FELIX NEUREUTHER: When it comes
each one made to diversity and the ski resort itself,
Lech Zürs is certainly one of the best
me stronger. the Alps have to offer. Of course, the
mountain lodge culture is also part of
it. What could be better than sitting
with friends after a day of skiing or
hiking, talking about what you’ve ex-
perienced and toasting with a glass
of tap water (laughs)? ↲
you to despair when you work grateful for them because each one
incredibly hard, but the results made me stronger.
just don’t come in?
Let’s talk a little more about
FELIX NEUREUTHER: Defeats are spaces and places. As a profes-
simply part of it and are important life sional skier you were on the road
experiences. The important thing is a lot, but everything was strictly
that you learn something from them timed. Did you even have time to
and that you give your best next time. get to the right places?
If that is not good enough – well, there
are worse things in life. And also, I FELIX NEUREUTHER: No! I once
was faster than Marcel often enough, managed to do so in New Zealand.
and those victories felt even more We spent four weeks in a row there
amazing. and I had two days off, although the
coach only wanted to give me one.
Looking back – what do you think But I enjoyed the second day off
you took away from this fight for and had time to at least see a bit of
the best times and also the suc- Queensland. But apart from that I
cesses and setbacks that came went to many different places, went
with it for your life? through my agenda and left again
without really seeing anything.
FELIX NEUREUTHER: I didn’t take
away anything from the victories be- Reaching the best
cause I always defined success differ- “There will never be anything more
ently. When I won my first World Cup
individual medal in Schladming in
beautiful in life” you once said in
relation to exercising in nature.
mountain experience
2013, I looked at the thing and thought: What do you feel, for example,
So that’s it now?! Cups or medals when you stand on a mountain and Ski resorts around the globe place their trust in Doppelmayr/
really don’t mean anything to me and look into the distance or when you Garaventa. True to our reputation as a reliable partner, we
that’s why they don’t exist in my ski down a deep-snow slope? always strive to provide our customers and their guests with
home. The most important thing are the best possible solutions to enhance their winter sports
the moments that stay in my mind FELIX NEUREUTHER: For me, that’s
experience on the mountain. The differing needs of
and those I used to absorb. But I only what life is about. Movement. When passengers provide the trigger for new ideas.
really learned from defeats and I am humans stop moving, when they
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