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10 milestones in the history of skiing in Saalbach
In a few weeks' time, the Alpine Ski World Championships will take place in Saalbach for the second time. The ideal occasion to take an exciting look back: When did the ski in its original form first find its way to the Glemmtal, why was the World Ski Championships in 1991 also called the World Ski Championships in the Sun and how many athletes, nations and spectators are expected at the races and events from 4 to 16 February 2025?
Here is an overview of the 10 most important milestones in Saalbach's skiing history:
1898 - the first ‘Sky’ in the Glemmtal valley
The year was 1898 when Saalbach-born Josef Wallner, who had spent time in Mürzzuschlag as a count's district hunter, returned to his homeland. His luggage included his wife, 17 children and a pair of skies. Mürzzuschlag is considered one of the birthplaces of skiing in Austria and the return of the Wallner family will prove to be a real stroke of luck for the valley in the decades to come.
Wallner had to sell the exotic skis to his brother-in-law, the Thurner farmer, for financial reasons. As he does not learn to ski, he gives the pair of skis to the Saalbach headmaster and senior teacher Peter Höll. The sports-enthusiastic teacher soon starts organising ski courses for children and adults. Together with Ludwig Ramsauer, he manages to get the people of Glemmer enthusiastic about skiing. A little later, in 1903, the first skiers travelled from Kitzbühel to Saalbach via the Spielberg. The foundation stone for ski
1914 - First foundation of the Saalbach winter sports club
Head teacher Ramsauer founds the ‘WSV Saalbach’ with teacher Hermann Hueter in 1914, which has 44 members. The association has a decisive influence on the development of the village and is able to implement many important measures for the accommodation of guests despite the difficult circumstances in the valley.
The First World War and the prevailing hardship ultimately force the association to cease its activities. In 1920, the WSV was refounded by Hermann Hueter and head forester Fritz Hochleitner and the association was active until it had to be suspended again during the Second World War.
In 1946, things were to pick up again. The people in the Glemmtal - as in the whole of Austria and the world - look back on difficult years. The community fathers are sceptical as to the extent to which a separate winter sports transport association is necessary. The future is still uncertain and it is probably once again thanks to the pioneering spirit of ski enthusiasts that the WSV is re-established in 1946 and the areas of responsibility are separated in June 1948. From then on, the WSV focussed exclusively on tourism. Impressive advertising brochures are produced and the infrastructure in the village and in the accommodation is modernised as the number of guests increases.
1945 - Foundation of the Saalbach ski lift company
On 17 September, a few days after the end of the Second World War, the Saalbach ski lift company is founded. The Neuhauswirt, the Taxingwirt and the mayor are among the partners. The opening of the first lift in Saalbach is still a few months away.
1946 - Construction of the 1st ski lift in Saalbach
After four months of construction, the T-bar lift on the Kohlmaiskopf is opened on 17 February 1946. With a length of 1,800 metres, it is the longest lift in Austria and can transport up to 120 people per hour. By comparison, the 12-seater NORD cable car, which will be completed in 2024, transports 2,600 winter sports enthusiasts in the same time. Both lifts are a hit with locals and guests alike. Numerous other lifts are to follow the Kohlmais T-bar lift and so it is the Schattberg chairlift, the baby lift on the Turmwiese and the Bernkogel lift that are opened next.
1951 - The 1st lift is built in Hinterglemm
The Zwölferlift-Personengesellschaft, which was founded in 1950, builds and opens the Wiesern T-bar lift in February 1951. It is followed in this order by the Kolling baby lift (private initiative), the conversion of the aforementioned T-bar lift into a chairlift, the Blaicken baby lift and many others. In the years to come, things were to go steeply uphill - for skiers and the economy.
1960 - Commissioning of the Schattberg cable car
In 1960, the Schattberg aerial cable car was the largest aerial cable car in Austria, transporting up to 360 people per hour. The gondola can carry 40 people and one employee. The cable car is a sensation and will be in operation as an aerial cable car from its opening on 20 December 1960 until 2002. It later had the legendary red cabins for 100 people. A modern cable car - the Schattberg X-press - replaces the grand old lady, of whom many winter sports enthusiasts have very personal memories.
End of the 1970s - merger with the Leogang ski area
The merger creates great added value for both Saalbach Hinterglemm and Leogang and winter sports enthusiasts can now look forward to even more kilometres of pistes and ski runs. Conveniently by gondola and on skis to the next valley - the vastness of the region ensures undisturbed enjoyment of the slopes without long waiting times at the lift.
1991 - The Sun Ski World Championships in Saalbach
The defining major event, which will go down in the history books as the Sun Ski World Championships due to the persistently beautiful weather, is still fondly remembered by locals and guests alike. The competitions take place from 22 January to 3 February and thrill the crowds. After winning the bid in Istanbul in 1988, the village embarks on an eventful period characterised by work, planning and cohesion. The Gulf War also has an impact on the event. The strict security regulations require maximum flexibility and changes at short notice.
Winter 2015/2016 - merger with the Fieberbrunn ski area
The Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang sets new standards with its merger with the neighbouring Tyrolean ski resort of Fieberbrunn. 270 kilometres of pistes, 70 lifts and over 60 huts ensure endless skiing fun for the whole family. Fieberbrunn brings casual freeride routes to the merger and impresses with steep peaks and wonderful alpine terrain that makes powder hearts beat faster.
2025 - The FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach
127 years after the first Sky came to Saalbach, the 2nd Alpine Ski World Championships will take place in the Glemmtal. The Zwölferkogel is the venue for the race and now, just a few weeks before the big event, preparations are in full swing. A lot of work is taking place behind the scenes, the large construction sites such as the grandstand at the foot of the race course as well as the new bus terminal in Hinterglemm and the finalisation work on the village design are evidence of the rapid progress and the transition to the final phase. During the World Ski Championships, from 4 to 16 February, over 150,000 spectators and over 600 athletes from more than 60 nations are expected. All information about the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Saalbach 2025.
What other milestones are there in the history of the valley? A look at the local history book and a visit to the local museum reveal numerous other important decisions that transformed the region from a poor mountain farming village into the most laid-back ski resort in the Alps. Just 76 years have passed since the electrification of the entire valley was successfully completed. Before that, there was no electricity connection in many places. If you would like to read more about this, you can purchase the local history book, including a detailed chronicle, from the tourism association and the municipality or visit the exhibitions in the local history centre. You can find a first insight into the chronicle of the valley here.
Pictures from earlier days and life in the Glemmtal can also be found in the new Topotheque. Very worth seeing!
Photo credit: Municipality of Saalbach, from the current exhibitions in the Heimathaus and Ski Museum
