About Us
OUR STORY
Austrian charm in Australia
Bringing his unique Austrian charm to his Australian adventure, Hans Grimus, was a passionate pioneer who brought his European flair to the slopes of Mt Buller. From Hans' early days as a lift operator to establishing his own hotel which has become one of the premier ski hotels in Australia, he with his wife, Lotte, were always at the helm of this family operated business and to this day the Grimus family continues to embody warmth and excellence in pursuit of providing their guests with a truly memorable experience.
Hans spent 54 years on Mt Buller and was instrumental in constructing the first lifts on the mountain as well as building his and Lotte’s eponymous hotel, and is an integral part of Mt Buller’s history and cultural fabric. A charismatic and much-loved member of the community, the warm, traditional hospitality and personal attention that Hans was so well known for, continues to be offered by his wife, Lotte and their sons Hannes, Anton and Oliver.
PIONEER, HOTELIER & RACONTEUR
Hans Grimus
With a few pounds in his pocket, Hans came to Australia as a 19-year-old in 1959, leaving behind the gloom of post-war Europe. The young Austrian was a talented soccer player, but ironically wasn’t a skier: he came from what he called the “flat” part of Austria.
Like many young European men, he made his way to New South Wales to work on the Snowy Mountains scheme. After the Snowys, he got work at Mt Buller as a ski lift operator. He found his feet as a skier and by force of personality and determination became the general manager of Orange Lifts, one of the early lift companies on the mountain.
A larger than life character
The 1960s and 70s were boom years for snow sports and their resorts, and Hans pushed ahead an ambitious program of ski lift construction for his employers. In the late 1960s he saw an opportunity to expand his own presence at Buller. He secured one of the best sites on the mountain and started work on the Tyrolean-style lodge that would become Hotel Pension Grimus.
He knew how to court publicity and used his dog Captain to help him along the way – photos of Hans skiing and riding chairlifts with Captain made their way around the world. Even though he wasn’t from the mountains by birth, he had the Austrian flair for camaraderie and knowing how to have a good time. He made it his business to know the business of his guests and generations of them became his friends as well as regulars at the hotel.
A Mt Buller legacy
Hans captured the spirit of the Australian mountain resorts in their earlier decades — the simple fun there was to be had above the snowline — and he ensured it lived on in his ski lodge. He played the accordion for dinner guests and insisted they try some snuff and share some schnapps from his country of birth.
Hotel Pension Grimus has become one of the leading hotels among Australian mountain establishments, a consistent winner of the “Best Ski Hotel” title at the World Ski Awards. One of Hans’ children, Anton, has twice represented Australia in ski cross at the Winter Olympics – Sochi in 2014 and PyeongChang in 2018.
Hans Grimus, a legend of the Australian mountains, passed away aged 78 in 2018.
Article by Jim Darby (author of 'Mt Buller, The Story of a Mountain').
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Awards & recognition
The Grimus Chairlift
The Grimus Chairlift at Mt Buller is named in honour of Hans Grimus, a pioneer of the resort who played a vital role in its development. Built in 1979, this triple chairlift takes skiers to Mt Buller's highest lifted point at 1,780 metres.
Hans was instrumental in constructing much of the initial lift infrastructure on the mountain from the early 1960s to the early 1980s.
Contribution to Australian ski industry - 2013
Hans was recognised for his contribution to the Australian ski industry by the Austrian Ambassador to Australia, Dr Helmut Boeck, in a ceremony at Mt Buller on June 15, 2013. Dr Boeck praised Mr Grimus and his contribution. “If there’s one person in Australia who deserves this award its Hans Grimus. Mt Buller and Hans’ story are intertwined, and it’s something that’s very special. What Hans has done here is actually more than building a wonderful lodge; he’s presented a piece of Austria to Australia.”
At the ceremony, in front of 100 family and friends, and Austrian, winemaker Wolf Blass Hans thanked his family, friends and work colleagues who have helped him throughout his life, and expressed his love for his adopted home. “I am very humbled and proud, and I thank everyone for being here. I love Mt Buller and I love two countries – Austria and Australia. Australia is home now, but I am very proud I have done something that is good for both countries.”
Outstanding contribution to ski tourism - 2017
The World Ski Awards is the only global initiative to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence in ski tourism and is held annually in November.
Each year as a finale to the event, the World Ski Awards Academy bestows a very special discretionary global accolade for Outstanding Contribution to Ski Tourism. This award is the highest and most prestigious Ski Oscar and is presented to individuals who have made a monumental contribution to ski tourism - a positive, defining impact, over a lifetime.
In 2017 the World Ski Awards Academy honoured Hans Grimus, with this award. We as a family, are very proud of Hans' achievements and being recognised for his life-long work.
Bronze and stainless steel sculpture titled 'Hans Grimus and Captain' by Peter Corlett OAM, Dean Colls and Louise Skačej created in 2023.
Hans & Captain are back in the village
Commemorative sculpture at Mt Buller
Thank you most sincerely to all those involved in bringing this memorial sculpture to fruition. Hans would have been overwhelmed and so very touched. It is very special indeed to the Grimus family.
Inspired by a well-known photograph of Hans and his dog Captain on the Bourke Street Double Chairlift in 1972 this commemorative sculpture seeks to capture a larger-than-life character in a moment of exuberant optimism and gleeful ascent. A fun piece of public art for the Mt Buller and wider Australian Alpine communities.
Following his passing in September 2018 the Mt Buller Community spearheaded by the National Alpine Museum, the Mt Buller Resort Management Board and the Ski Club of Victoria wanted to do something to remember Hans and a new public artwork was proposed, funded by small and large donations from the community.
THE FUTURE
Traditions to continue on
Following the passing of founder Hans Grimus in 2018 'the Hero' of the family, his wife Lotte and children, Hannes, Anton and Oliver are intent on keeping the traditions of the hotel alive by providing the same warmth and generous hospitality the hotel has always been known for.
Lotte has been at the helm of the management of the hotel for many decades, and is now being assisted by Hannes, Anton and Oliver within their respective areas of expertise.
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