European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 25, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Story and photos by Leah Larkin feature editor there s is. Moriz St. Anlon and then there . St. Veil those who gather on the slopes of Trio so big and famous resort have probably never heard of it. But to thousands of americans St. Veil also Means skiing. This mini town Halfway up a medium size Mountain ninth of Salzburg Austria does t even have a ski lift much toss a ski slope. It does have a pretty Church a couple of Small hotels tills of tensions a few souvenir stores  and Iseji Baumgartner. Siegi As he s known to skiers started the 51, veil ski business some 20 years ago. He was training austrian ski instruct ii on the slope at Kapraun. It was thanksgiving weekend and several american skiers from the Wiesbaden ski club were there too. Baumgartner saw that the americans were having trouble getting Down the Mountain. Hand his instructor trainees came to the Rescue. The grateful americans invited them to a party. Siegi in turn suggested they come to his Hometown is veil for a ski week the americans went lost veil. They liked it and told their friends. Soon More and More americans followed their tracks. Baumgardner slatted a ski school to Cater to their needs no one would Ever know about St. Veil without Siegi said Baumgartner s wife Irene who assists with his flourishing business Siegi Tours. It s rut easy to get so Many people to St. Veil. After All what is St. A cite asked ski instructor Gottfried Vici Hauser. It s just a drowsy Mountain farm town  every Winter serves As Home to some 2,500 skies mostly americans who come fora week to ski the nearby slopes at is. I h resorts places like Davos or Klutz Dhel or super ski areas like Les trois vat Lees in France of Verbier in Switzerland Why St. Veil it s Good. You can t beat it for the instruction. I can honestly say my skiing has improved said Helen de Moyse from vice a Lily. It was her second visit. Bill , trip Captain for the Heidelberg International ski club group recently it St. Veil also praised the instruction. He too was enjoy inti his second St. Veil trip. The instruction is Well presented and geared toward an English speaking Public. I Learned a lot Bolh bit year and this  since Baumgartner s background h ski instruction it s no Surprise that lessons Are the foundation of his package program i like to have a Strong ski school he said. He s obviously convinced Thalia is Strong claiming thai it is the first ski school with Guarante for  he explained that the guarantee applies to people who have never skied before. If they can l handle skis after six Days i la offer their Money  in the past five years that he has offered the guarantee Only two or three have asked Ora refund he said. It s not just beginners who make Progress in the ski school. There ate five Levels of instruction from class v for first timers to class i for experts. On monday morning the first Day of the six Day ski week those who have skied before gel a Chance to show their skills on the Hill and Are Ihen placed in the appropriate class classes meet for two hours every morning and afternoon. Unlike Moil ski teacher those at St. Velt Aren t clock watchers. With the More advanced a Tenet the afternoon session often stretches id three sometimes even four hours. In addition to the five Levels there Are special classes for race Rigand Aski safari program. The latter for experts Only into Frei fast skiing off piste terrain and powder with Little time for lessons. The weekends with races and a ski style test. During an award ceremony attended by All the Winner Are announced and everyone receives a ski pin and a card with his ill Grade or ranking As judged by the instructors during the style my. Selling to and from the lessons and the slopes Canbeal . Veil is Boula 15 minute drive from the ski areas. The Road connecting the town to the Valley to narrow Steep winding. In bad weather chains May be needed. Beginners and children have their lessons at the St. Johann ski area White other so Al Allendorf. The areas Are about 10 minutes apart and bus service Between the two is. Available. Nonetheless problems Canarte when members of the same Kitty travelling in the same car need to be at different places at the same time. Despite such inconveniences skiers come Back lost. Velt. According to Irene Baumgartner about 40 percent of Ili Siegi Tours customers Are repeats. Lesson May be the main attraction but there s More that brings them Back. People like the human Way they Are treated. They fwd wit Tom she said. Slegl finds that St. Veil guests Ilki the pension Slyter accommodations he ulfers. They could stay in a fancy place but not have As Good a Lime. Here they gel Home Iri it Manl and Good  in addition to staying with Friendly austrian families who offer an abundance of Down Home care the hospitality includes entertainment. All the St. Veil guests have their evening meals together in hotel Mel Gerwert located in the town Square. After dinner there s acres ski fun from yodelling and Beer  to austrian folklore and a Toboggan party. Sophisticates might turn up their noses at some of the fun. It gels underway after dinner on sunday when All line up for a personal Welcome drink austrian schnapps with Siegi and a free gift an austrian ski Scarf. This is like waiting in line to Sec ," said one skier. One night there s j party Wilh Siegi punch a Nasty concoction that tastes like cold glib Wei another Wilh a Siegi cocktail rum and Coke and lab erase a Lype of lunch meat. Some of the entertain ii it is corny but it s fun said de Moyse who almost claimed the Gigantic trophy in the women s Beer drinking contest. Vou met l a lot of people. There s a camaraderie. You re almost Lime. I would t i avoid  children especially seem in Enoy Stogie i Brand of fun. And there Arv lots of children Al guaranteed to have a Good Lime come for Siegi s punch though. St. Veil. B for hem. Set Tang ser Schilling recent ski a month Diana. Jennifer to St veil Jennifer f then san Angels. I v Diana me Slegl Al program nights la Marks a Goth Roug reduction ski wee i Cost a Johann the com Lachau discount package less pure schillings number average t cards. A scr for two w said Bro had been stationed hone yet skied ale Hopes of contest i seconds. Awee Eucalio not. On t included than 1,81 med Sci serving i club met Tours we Howe-1 Apple sin served Al across in the hot merits five perfect d Mel Gen Wilt set or your thin Apricot a every nig adjoining one ii thet trud the Best he said i variety. As for six Days slope c said full look up runo nth Ottn is. Veil St. Veil i German learning 12 strip i m j if Quiry 2s, 1908