Historical stories
08/17/2018
We have been welcoming people from all over the world to the Goldener Berg for decades. A wide variety of faces, a wide variety of tales. And of course, we also have our own:
The history of the Goldener Berg is long, emotional one with its own highs and lows. The building itself was first documented in 1230 (on exactly the same spot where the Goldener Berg stands today) and was at that time a simple mountain farm. Simplicity and a frugal life left their mark.
1945 marked the low point
The Goldener Berg is sequestered to the German Reich.
After the Second World War, the Hammerbacher family then refused the Marshall plan money, in contrast to other competing businesses in Lech.
In 1959 on release of the sequester it is possible to acquire new credit and the “Sporthotel Lech” increases its number of beds and enlarges its dining room. The hotel welcomes its guests in full splendour at Christmas 1960.
Further building projects await, and the financial hurdles become too large. The Hammerbacher family sells the hotel in 1965 to the Pfefferkorn family, long-time residents of Lech.
Through much toil, commitment, and investment we managed to recover after the war years and celebrated our 50th anniversary in autumn 1978 with a huge party.
In 1991 the passionate hosts Gucky and Franz Pfefferkorn handed over the running of the sport and gourmet hotel Goldener Berg to their daughter Daniela.
From day one the Goldener Berg has been truly dear to my heart. I love welcoming people from all over the world, philosophising on the sun terrace, and drinking a toast to life with a good glass of wine.
It's at such times that guest's stories and our story merge and we write a lovely new page in the book.
Let the exciting future begin!
What the hotel in Arlberg is all about
At home in the mountains
Natural, archaic, with both feet on the floor.
We are very conscious of our good fortune to be able to call one of the most beautiful places on earth our home. Majestic mountain peaks surround us, offering protection, mother nature gives us new gifts every day; lush green meadows, ice cold mountain streams, fresh mountain air. In winter a thick layer of snow covers Oberlech, just like in a winter fairytale.
We have made it our aim to live together with (instead of just from) nature and share this indescribable beauty with our guests. We often rethink our concepts and devise more sustainable solutions. We are very proud of what we have already achieved.
Local suppliers: we purchase our ingredients from local organic farmers, and serve these dishes at our popular breakfast buffet and in our 4 gourmet restaurants. It’s lovely to know the people behind the products, to visit the cows grazing on the meadows and to put vegetables fresh from harvest into our shopping basket. What’s more, we source from local companies wherever possible. We endeavour to support families who work sensitively with nature and respect the environment.
Oberlech am Arlberg: Oberlech is car-free in winter. Leave your vehicle in the valley and enjoy the wonderful peaceful atmosphere in Oberlech. On the one hand every kilometre that is not driven is beneficial to the environment, and on the other hand it is very convenient for guests not have to worry about parking. To stem the level of traffic throughout the year, guests are transported free of charge by bus.
Internal business measures at the Goldener Berg
We are committed to environmentally friendly energy sources. We use solar energy and thanks to a centralised biomass heating plant, we are able to remain oil-free. In separation of our rubbish, we take care to be thorough, and our staff receive special training in this aspect. Our water comes from the Schwarzbach spring in Zugertal and the reservoir in St Anton gives us hydroelectric electricity.
Natural products in our wellness area
In the Alpine Spa, solely natural products are used. The hay and moor mud are locally sourced, and the hotel’s own “almstern” cosmetic line is based on local spring water, Edelweiß extracts, and the garnet gemstone.
Arlberg nature seal of approval
We don't wish to boast, but we do wish to lead the way as a good example, and show that everyone can play their part when it comes to protecting the environment. We are very happy to have been awarded the Arlberg nature seal of approval.
Fancy a holiday in beautiful Oberlech?
Then you’re at the right place!
And yet the building underwent various changes and improvements until in 1926 a certain Herr Leopold Schneider sold the “Obere Bergalpe” to the “Hohe Welt” association. This was a group comprising mainly former K&K army officers. In 1928 the building was auctioned by the Hammerbacher family. At that time it consisted merely of an open smokehouse kitchen, very small living room, 3 bedrooms, a huge hay barn, another barn, and 2 hectares of land and a spring.
In the 1930s, the hotel was then built and was at that time the first building in the Arlberg region with running water in every room. In our most recent improvements, we exposed some of the walls from that time.
The family greeted keen skiers as guests in the “Sportheim Goldener Berg”. Getting provisions proved very difficult and going down to Lech every day was a real challenge.
In the vegetable cellar in the new building the first “cellar bar” was made which became very popular as a “Skihölle”. Flight pioneers from the “Himmelsschreiber” frequented the Goldener Berg. They were famous at the time and wrote advertising slogans for Ata and Persil in the sky.
Hammerbacher travelled through Europe, banging the advertising drum, even bringing ski clubs from Great Britain and the Netherlands to Arlberg too.