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Alps meet the Rockies.

The “Almresi” in Vail, Colorado, delights its guests with great attention to detail. Lufthansa Cargo supplies the traditional restaurant with specialities from the Black Forest in Germany.

The tranquil, small town of Vail in the US state of Colorado

The tranquil, small town of Vail in the US state of Colorado

is one of North America’s most well-known winter sports resorts. A very special attraction has adorned the location, where skiing ace Lindsey Vonn trains on the slopes, since Christmas 2016 – the “Almresi”. Rustic wood panelling, out of service cowbells hanging from the ceiling and lovingly decorated milk cans in almost every corner exude the charm of Alpine mountain huts in the interior of this rustic restaurant surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. “The customers appreciate our attention to detail,” says Alyssa Thoma, General Manager of the “Almresi”.

“We offer traditional, cosy Alpine flair with dishes from Austria, Switzerland and Germany. We imported the entire interior from Germany.” Some 20 employees in authentic costumes tend to the culinary needs of up to 120 guests. “Almresi” has been more than a year in the making from the initial idea to a crowd-puller in a prestigious location. “All ingredients for the dishes are imported from Germany to ensure we remain as authentic as possible,” explains Alyssa Thoma. “Furthermore, customers can purchase any of the furnishings, decorations or clothing at Almresi.”

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The “Almresi” relies on Lufthansa Cargo as a logistics partner.

Large-scale deliveries arrive in Vail every three months. “However, depending on the customers’ requirements, smaller orders are now also dispatched,” says Alyssa Thoma. “We appreciate the importance Lufthansa Cargo attaches to its customers. Their employees don’t dwell on problems, they provide solutions straight away. In addition, the company very quickly geared its operations towards our individual requirements.” Lufthansa Cargo at Stuttgart Airport (STR) is responsible for regular deliveries from the Black Forest. Orders are transported by truck to Frankfurt Airport. A Boeing 747-400 of the Lufthansa Passage takes off there daily en route to Colorado. 

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After more than a ten and a half hour flight, the Jumbo lands at Denver International Airport (DEN). Alyssa Thoma: “This means we receive the goods from Germany in just three to five days depending on the content and how long the goods are held in customs in Denver. From the airport, they are taken by truck to the Vail Pass. The process is only delayed if the route needs to be spontaneously blocked due to heavy snowfall – but that is rare."

Photos: 
Frank van den Bergh
Brent Bingham