NEW YORK -- Alpine ski tour pioneer Steve Lohr, founder of Europe
on Skis and Steve Lohr's Ski Holidays, died recently at his home
here. He was 91.
In 1949 he conceived the idea of ski tours of the Alps for air
travelers and organized his first Alps ski tour to St. Anton in
Austria in 1952 for 25 American skiers, under the Europe on Skis
banner.
Over the years, he worked with ski clubs and a network of travel
agents to promote U.S.-Europe Alps ski trips.
Eventually Europe on Skis became the official ski tour operator
of Swissair and later it was purchased by Swissair.
In 1989, after the purchase, Lohr formed Steve Lohr's Ski
Holidays, which later became a division of Central Holidays, which
in turn was owned by Far & Wide Travel Corp. He remained active
as president of Steve Lohr's Ski Holidays up to his death on June
21.
During his lifetime, Lohr was active in ASTA. He also received
tourism promotion honors from Vienna, the Tyrol, Voralberg in
Austria and the nation of Austria.
"The ski industry and the Central Holidays family lost a great
friend, legend, teacher and overall wonderful person," said John
Frasca, vice president of Central Holidays' Ski Division.
Lohr is survived by his wife, Ruth. A memorial service is
planned, but details were not available at press time.