Federal Sports Center Celebrates 100 Years, Renamed As Ski Austria Academy St. Christoph am Arlberg

What began in 1923 with the first ski course for secondary school teachers under Ernst Janner has developed into an institution that has decisively shaped Austrian and international skiing.

The "Federal Sports Center St. Christoph" opened in 1925. It quickly became the center for ski instructor training. Personalities like Stefan Kruckenhauser and Franz Hoppichler played a crucial role in the development of alpine skiing here. Numerous renovations and expansions followed – including the acquisition of the former "Hotel Edelweiss" in 1974. The course for the future was set in 1998 with the takeover by the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV), under its long-serving president Prof. Peter Schröcksnadel and general secretary Dr. Klaus Leistner . At the initiative of the ÖSV, the new Ski Austria Academy St. Christoph am Arlberg was built. This construction project was carried out by Austria Ski Sportanlagen Betriebsgesellschaft mbH, a wholly owned (indirect) subsidiary of the ÖSV, under the management of Werner Wörndle, between May and December 2006, with financial support from the Republic of Austria and the State of Tyrol.

Milestones of the 100-year history

• 1922 | Adaptation of the road maintenance worker's house in St. Christoph am Arlberg by Ernst Janner.
• 1923 | First ski course for pupils of the Innsbruck State Gymnasium at Easter.
• 1925 | The St. Christoph winter home was officially opened on November 29th by Federal Minister Emil Schneider.
• 1934 | Stefan Kruckenhauser is appointed as the new head of the home.
• 1937 | Inauguration of the extension with a new hall and expanded capacities.
• 1938 | After the "Anschluss" of Austria, the name "Reichsheim" is introduced, and Kruckenhauser is dismissed as head of the home.
• 1955/56 | Second renovation after the end of the war under the direction of Stefan Kruckenhauser, who has been working as the home's director again since 1946.
• 1972 | After Kruckenhauser's retirement, his son-in-law Franz Hoppichler takes over the management of the Federal Sports Center.
• 1977 | Opening of the renovation, which became possible after the acquisition of the neighboring Hotel Edelweiss.
• 1995 | Werner Wörndle succeeds Franz Hoppichler in St. Christoph am Arlberg.
• 1998 | Takeover of the Federal Sports Center by the Austrian Ski Federation, initiated by President Prof. Peter Schröcksnadel and Secretary General Dr. Klaus Leistner.
• 2006 | Opening of the newly built Ski Austria Academy St. Christoph am Arlberg.
• 2013 | Herbert Mandl takes over management.
• 2022 | On May 1st, Herbert Mandl will move into the strategic role of Alpine Skiing Sports Director at the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV). Bernhard Niggler, together with ÖSV General Secretary Christian Scherer, will assume operational management as Managing Director.
• 2024 | As a visible sign of the strategic importance of the Ski Austria Academy St. Christoph am Arlberg, Christian Scherer, now Chairman of the Board of the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV), hands over the Academy's management to Fabian Larcher and Bernhard Niggler. This ensures that the top management of the federation and the operational leadership of the competence center complement each other optimally to shape the future of alpine sports.
• Severe storms led to flooding at the Ski Austria Academy St. Christoph am Arlberg on August 16th. Thanks to the extensive support of the fire department and volunteers, as well as funding from the Tyrolean state disaster relief fund and the use of significant internal resources, the damage was repaired before the start of the winter season.
• 2025 | In its 100th year, the establishment of an alpine training center in the Arlberg region, under the direction of Herbert Mandl, is decided upon. The Ski Austria Academy St. Christoph am Arlberg will provide the physical infrastructure for this center, offering optimal conditions for training, analysis, catering, and accommodation. Furthermore, the lease agreement with the federal government is extended until 2045 in the anniversary year.

Today, the Ski Austria Academy St. Christoph am Arlberg is an internationally recognized center of excellence for education, training, and talent development, offering approximately 100,000 school ski courses annually for thousands of students from all over Austria. With the establishment of the new alpine training center under the direction of Herbert Mandl starting in 2025, the development of young talent in St. Christoph am Arlberg will be further intensified.

“The Ski Austria Academy St. Christoph am Arlberg is a symbol of the roots of our sport. For 100 years, this place has shaped the development of alpine skiing and stands for the values ​​that have made Austrian skiing great,” said ÖSV President Roswitha Stadlober on the occasion of the 100th anniversary.

The Ski Austria Academy St. Christoph am Arlberg is not defined by traditional tourism concepts. Instead, its focus is on promoting alpine skiing, professional education, and training. The Ski Austria Academy St. Christoph am Arlberg serves as the central training and education center for all skiing in Austria. Here, future nationally and internationally recognized state-certified ski instructors, coaches, and talented athletes of the Austrian Ski Federation's (ÖSV) junior program learn and train.

Thanks to its close ties to the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) and its own highly qualified Tyrolean ski school, Ski Austria Academy St. Christoph, led by the visionary Rudi Lapper , guests gain access to unparalleled expertise and training staff. The Ski Austria Academy St. Christoph am Arlberg is the ideal base for anyone looking to improve their performance – from trainees and school groups to individual guests seeking an authentic sporting experience. In addition to its direct access to the slopes, the Ski Austria Academy St. Christoph am Arlberg offers modern seminar and lecture hall facilities, as well as a sports hall and a fitness area.

“We are the base for everyone who takes alpine skiing seriously. Those who come to us are not just booking accommodation, but direct access to the expertise of the Austrian Ski Federation. This quality in training and education is our decisive added value and, at the same time, an unparalleled offering in the region,” add Fabian Larcher and Bernhard Niggler , the managing directors of Austria Ski Sportanlagen Betriebsgesellschaft mbH, who are also delighted with the perfect conditions for the start of the season.