Lodenwalker - since 1434

The home of the Schladming Loden is located in the foothills of the Dachstein, in so-called Rössing, the eastern part of heavenly Ramsau. The isolated location and the harsh mountain climate more than 1,000 metres above sea level combined with the omnipresence of traditional alpine life, the domestic sheep, allowed the inhabitants to quickly become experts in wool as they prepared to withstand the harsh winter in the high alpine terrain.

Story of the Lodenwalker in Ramsau

Ferdinand Seebacher and Jörg Steiner chat about the Lodenwalker, the Steiner Buam and their first ascent of the southern wall of the Dachstein, Arnold Schwarzenegger who participated in an ice stock sport game and much more. Experience an exciting journey into the past. Please note the interview is only available in German.

1434

First documented reference

in Admonter Urbar:

Stubich and Eberl pay the provost 3 ells of Ennstaler cloth as a tax

Loden, which is produced in the area in excellent quality

Since that time, documentary records, purchase contracts and tax payments can be traced via the "Walchstampf in Ramsau, Rössing".

This makes us the oldest active loden mill in the world.

1608

Forces of nature

A bill of sale dated April 24, 1608 shows that the "Walchstampf in Ramsau, Rössing" had to be relocated to the "other bank of the mountain torrent" because it had already been destroyed three times by flooding.

1825

The new age

Approx. around 1825 the way of working and the Lodenwalker changed. The first carding machine was purchased. Ox-drawn carts brought the machine from Leoben to Ramsau, Rössing. It took two weeks to transport the valuable machine.

1845

From service provider to producer

Over the centuries, Lodenwalke managed itself from a pure "fulling business" that initially only offered fulling services to a fully integrated production and became an important fabric supplier for the entire region.

1860

Making progress

Around 1860, Johann Walcher set up the first mechanical spinning mill in the Lodenwalke. His son Zacharias Walcher bought the first mechanical weaving looms and hand knitting machines from Germany. He invented the fulling of thick sheep's wool socks.

1880

The name Steiner reaches the Lodenwalke

Around 1880, the daughter Susanna Walcher married the mountain guide and first climber of the "Bischofsmütze" Johann Steiner. After the death of Zacharias Walcher, the children of Susanna and Johann Steiner inherited the Lodenwalke

1888

Old "Lodenstampf" in Mandling

In 1888 the Lodenwalke in Mandling was founded by Philipp and Aloisia Stiegler. The name change took place in 1910 when Franz Steiner took over the business from his uncle and aunt.

1909

The Steiner Boys

In 1909, the brothers Franz and Irg (Georg) Steiner achieved a milestone in mountaineering. On September 22, 1909, the sons of the Lodenwalke climbed the south wall of the Dachstein for the first time. At that time the route was called the "Steiner boys’ ladder to heaven". Today it’s commonly known as the Steiner path.

1930

Richard Steiner

After years of training with his brother Franz in Mandling, Richard Steiner returned to the Lodenwalke Ramsau in 1925. As the youngest of 7 children of Johann and Susanna Steiner, he took over the Lodenwalke in 1930 at the age of only 23.

Richard was a passionate icestocksport player and European champion in the discipline long shot.

1938

Farewell to the "Old Lodenwalke"

After the flood of 1938, the entire Lodenwalke complex was once again destroyed. Since hydropower was no longer the only source of energy, the new building could now be built safely on a hill above the "wild Ramsau stream". On the initiative of Richard Steiner, the road towards Weißenbach was expanded and the so called "Strimitz path" was built.

1940

Electricity from hydropower

The power of water was already painfully well known. In 1940 the "wild" water was tamed and turned into energy. The two hydroelectric power plants (Silberkar and Ramsau stream) were built and have been supplying the Lodenwalker with 100% green electricity ever since. In the very same year the main building was extended and the production hall expanded.

1972

Extension of the Lodenwalker

In the years 1972 - 1975 the main building was extended again to meet the requirements for production and storage facilities.

1992

Takeover Richard Steiner and expansion of the tavern

After the death of Richard Steiner, his son Georg Zacharias Steiner takes over the Lodenwalke. With the takeover, the pine dining room was also renovated and expanded. His wife, Karin Steiner, a passionate cook made sure that the physical well-being of the guests was well looked after.

2006

Takeover Jörg Steiner

As the eldest son of Georg and Karin Steiner, Jörg Steiner took over his parents' business at the age of 25 after years of apprenticeship and learning. The sales room of the Lodenwalke was renewed and expanded.

2010

LWS

Foundation of the new label LWS - Loden Walker Steiner. With this label, modern design with special wearing comfort and new ideas moves into the traditional company. Above all, the sports area is being revitalised.

2014

Online shop

Until 2014, the Lodenwalker located in Ramsau Rössing was the only point of sale for quality Lodenwalker clothing. The online shop becomes the first point of sale outside of Ramsau am Dachstein and thus accessible to customers from all over the world.

2016

Jagaloden

Loden has a long tradition for hunting clothing. Together with the Styrian specialist for hunting, Siegert Ltd. from Graz, a clothing line under the label "Jagaloden" has been sold exclusively in the Siegert shops and in our Lodenwalke Ramsau since 2016.

2017

Takeover of Szapacs tailoring

Our long-term partner and main tailoring in Wildon/Austria, the Szapacs company, was taken over by the Lodenwalker in 2017. All employees could be kept and we are happy about our strong, Styrian team for our products.