Then and now

An inn on the pass since 1739

Stuben was one of the loneliest winter passes in Europe. At night, when the snow had frozen hard, carters and travellers waited in the warm parlour for the moon to rise.

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Historic ski jump over snowy stone houses, black and white photo

A track in the snow leads to lit Stuben at night, the moon above

The name

In the hard winters, carters waited at the inn for the moonlight that would guide them safely over the Arlberg pass. Hence the name Mondschein, German for moonlight.

Two skiers against the light, historic black and white photo

Photo: Alexander Lohmann

Ski history in the house

Emil Walch built the tiled stove in the Alte Gaststube. In the parlour stands a replica of the statue of Hannes Schneider. Read more about the ski pioneers in The famous ski sons of Stuben, and about the kitchen and the house in Alpine heritage and gourmet culture.

Old postcard of Stuben showing the Gasthaus zum Mondschein — From the old postcard of the Gasthaus zum Mondschein to the first years of skiing at the Arlberg.

Drag the slider to compare the village street then with the house today.

The Ski Hotel Mondschein in Stuben am Arlberg today, with its wooden facade and snow on the roof. — The village street of Stuben, with the Gasthaus zum Mondschein on the left.The Ski Hotel Mondschein today, after fresh snow.

The snowy village street of Stuben, with the Gasthaus zum Mondschein on the left. Historic photograph. — The village street of Stuben, with the Gasthaus zum Mondschein on the left.The Ski Hotel Mondschein today, after fresh snow.

1525RebuiltIn 1520 a great fire destroys the original house in Stuben. Five years later it stands again.
1739Gasthaus zum MondscheinThe house becomes known as the Gasthaus zum Mondschein, a place to rest and eat a warm meal on the pass.
1895The Walch familyGebhard Walch takes over. His son Emil becomes the first managing director of the Albona lift company.
1920sThe cradle of skiingHannes Schneider from Stuben develops the Arlberg technique. Willi Walch wins the great races of his time.
TodayThree housesSki Hotel, Chalet and Arlberg Motel, all a few steps from the piste. Your host is Markus Kegele.