Ski school Schuster – a family business with high-class skiing tradition
The love for skiing runs like a red thread through the family history of Ski School Schuster. It all began with Walter Schuster, who earned himself an international reputation as a master of his trade back in the 1950s.
His greatest successes include victories in the Kandahar race in Mürren, the combined in Chamonix, the slalom competition in Zakopane and the downhill in Cervinia. Walter took part in the Hahnenkamm race nine times and won second place five times.
In 1956, Walter Schuster won the bronze medal for Austria in the giant slalom at the Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Winning the Olympic medal was a dream come true for Walter Schuster. The talented skier, who was always considered one of the top favorites in all races, remained loyal to the sport, even after his career as a successful competitor ended, and became involved as a coach in the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV).
After successfully completing the diploma for Staatlich geprüfter Skilehrer in the end of the 1950s, he took over the Lermoos ski school. The fact that Walter put his heart and soul into skiing and teaching is reflected in over a decade of successfully running the ski school. He did not only encourage and challenge his students, but also placed great value on the first-class training of his instructors.
Kurt Schuster – enthusiastic skier in the second generation
The enthusiasm for skiing is infectious. It is therefore hardly surprising that Walter’s son, Kurt Schuster, also adopted his father’s way of life and made the sport his profession. He began his career as a ski instructor in 1983 and passed the exam for the Staatliche ski-instructor two years later.
Since then, he has been teaching young and old, from near and far.
Kurt never let go of his love of skiing and proceeded to teach even in his free time. During these hours, he taught his three children to ski on the small slope next to the house, which was perfect for beginners.
But the story doesn’t end there.
Jonas and Rainer – the founding of Ski School Schuster
Kurt’s son Rainer Schuster‘s career as a ski instructor began in 2008. What was initially just a temporary job, eventually became his whole world. It was clear to him: “That’s what I want to do”. After completing the training courses from ski trainee to state-certified ski instructor, Rainer was slowly inducted into one of the management positions at the Lermoos ski school.
He took over as head of the children’s ski school in 2017 and gained experience not only as an instructor but also as a manager in the years that followed.
After two seasons spent as a ski instructor in Liechtenstein, Rainer returned to his roots. With the knowledge and skills, he had acquired, he decided to start his own ski school in 2024.
The Ski School Schuster was born.
Kurt’s younger son, Jonas Schuster, was also drawn to the mountain summits. In 2010, Jonas followed in the footsteps of his father and older brother Rainer and began his training as a ski instructor. What initially began as a temporary job with the little ones at the assembly point brought Jonas so much joy that he wanted to constantly improve his knowledge and skills.
He fulfilled his dream of working abroad as a ski instructor when he passed his national instructor exam in 2019. This qualification opened the door for him to work on Mt Buller in Australia in 2022.
Like his brother Rainer, he never forgot where he came from. After his adventure on the other side of the world, he joined Rainer at the ski school Schuster in 2024.