The Ski-Club Arlberg goes to America

In mid-December, eight participants of the Ski Club Arlberg’s training program enjoyed a very special experience in America. Due to the excellent partnership between the villages of Beaver Creek and Lech-Zürs, Walter Gusner, Stefan Jochum and Walter Hlebayna from Lech, together with the former mayor of Vail, Ludwig Kurz, had the idea of starting a student exchange program between the two ski regions.

In December, the first 8 youngsters aged between 13 and 14 from the SCA training program set off for the USA, where they were able to train giant slalom and slalom, as well as to watch the World Cup ski races. Free skiing and getting to know the largest American ski area were also part of the experience.

Nico Traxl, Lena Ess, Casper Bartels and Paulina Lapper from the St. Anton branch and Johann Huber, Kilian Mathies, Katharina Böck and Claire Schmid from the Lech branch were impressed with the conditions for training, the amazingly generous training slopes and the hospitality in America.

“In autumn, the athletes already optimally prepared for the season at home, however the chance to experience the conditions in America was priceless for our junior racers. The children were unbelievably warmly welcomed by their host families and enjoyed an unforgettable time in America”, reported Daniel Huber, the SCA coach from Lech am Arlberg.

It is planned to run the student exchange program on a bi-annual basis. In January 2020, the first athletes from America will come to the Arlberg, where they will stay with host families. We hope they will also experience good snow and training conditions during their stay, commented SCA trainer Andreas Tatschl from the St. Anton branch.