What began in 1926 as a small workshop run by Hermann Pangratz in St. Anton has now become a story spanning four generations, fuelled by great passion and countless tales of skiing. From the very first ski hire business with around 100 pairs of wooden skis, through small 20m² shops, to our current locations in St. Anton and Lech, a great deal has changed – but one thing has remained the same: our love for the Arlberg and for skiing.
100 years of INTERSPORT Arlberg – a story we have written together with our staff, partners and guests.
Hermann Pangratz came to St. Anton as a ski technician and set up his own business in 1926. With the onset of the skiing boom, he began repairing wooden skis. In 1932, he opened St. Anton’s first ski hire shop with around 100 pairs of skis he had made himself.
Hermann decides to buy a new circular saw for ski production instead of a plot of land. In 1961, Toni meets Irene on a skiing course. Two years later, the two of them get married.
Toni wants to take over the family business, but Hermann sends him to Harrods in London first. After two winters, Toni and Irene return to St. Anton. In 1967, they take over the family business
Toni opens his first branch right by the slopes in Haus Schalle. The shop, hire and service facilities are all housed within just 20 m². The ski-grinding machine is simply left outside in the snow.
Sport Pangratz moved several times before Toni bought the old ‘Musi-Haus’ in the centre of St. Anton. It used to be the band’s rehearsal room and even the laundry room for the Alte Post. It remains our home to this day.
The World Ski Championships attract over 60,000 spectators to St. Anton. Mario Matt’s autograph session at INTERSPORT Arlberg draws such a huge crowd that he has to leave via the back exit.
In the past, ski equipment used to be entered into the hire book by hand. INTERSPORT Arlberg was an early adopter of online booking – meaning you can book your equipment from the comfort of your own home.
With the opening of the Flexenbahn in 2016, the Arlberg will be united as a single ski resort. At the same time, INTERSPORT Arlberg will open its first branch in Lech – and in 2026 will celebrate 100 years of history, spanning four generations.
What began in 1926 as a small workshop has now become a story spanning four generations, characterised by passion, team spirit and a love of winter sports. Together with our team, our guests and our partners, we have been part of the Arlberg’s history for over 100 years – and have continually dared to try new things.
100 years of INTERSPORT Arlberg. 100 years of winter sports on the Arlberg. And our story continues.
