Arnold Somweber, a long time resident and local legend of Stowe, Vermont passed away with his beloved wife and devoted son by his side on October 17, 2025 at the age of 85. Arnold was born on August 7, 1940 in Ehrwald, Austria to Anna (Posch) and Thomas Somweber.

Arnold was raised and educated in Ehrwald, a beautiful ski town at the base of the Zugspitze Mountain. From a young age he was on the mountain and skiing became his first love. Arnold began his iconic skiing career as a giant slalom racer. He raced throughout EU and taught in Australia and the US. As a member of the Mountain Helicopter Rescue Team he made many rescues including saving his own brother from the depths of an avalanche.

As a young man in Austria in the 60's, Arnold & his brothers helped each other build their houses on land gifted to them from their father. His daughters, Anke & Heike were raised in the home he built in Ehrwald and maintain it to this day.

Arnold was recruited by Sepp Ruschp of the Mount Mansfield Ski School & began his US Professional Ski Instructor career in 1969. It's here in Stowe where he met the love of his life, Maria Cannizzaro of NYC, and they were married there in 1978. While teaching, he joined Maria in managing Rosko's Restaurant at the corner of Edson Hill and Mountain Rd. During this time he and Maria were blessed with their son, Matthew. In 1980, Arnold joined the Trapp Family Lodge grooming and maintaining the cross country trails. He felt at home at Trapps: "a little bit of Austria a lot of Vermont." Arnold held other jobs at Trapps over the years, until his retirement in 2017, but always reminisced about the early mornings, grooming the trails, the peacefulness, the beauty of seeing the wildlife and the views that never got old.

Arnold was also the founder and owner of Green Mountain Bench, Co. est 1987. Bringing the model to Stowe that he and his brother had built in Ehrwald. His benches can be seen throughout Stowe and beyond. He created and maintained the lovely flower and herb gardens at his home on Cape Cod Road which evolved into "From Maria's Garden" flower stand and events. Whether in the garden or building a bench, Arnold always had a German Shepherd by his side.

Arnold never met a stranger and was quick to make a connection, whether on the slopes, Trapps, at the rink, or around town. He loved people. In most recent years when Arnold could not get around town, he would instantly brighten when an old friend would stop by to say hello and sit and visit for a while. A special acknowledgement to those who took time to bring this joy into his life. He loved being with his family, enjoying time with his adoring grandchildren, and travelling abroad to visit with his daughters and their families in Austria. In addition to skiing he enjoyed golfing, tennis, hiking, soccer, and even tried ice hockey as inspired by Matthew.

Arnold was predeceased by his parents, his sister Anna and brothers Oskar and Thomas Somweber. Surviving to cherish Arnold's memory and to continue his adventurous legacy is his beloved wife Maria, his adoring children; Anke Somweber (Marcus), Heike Papp (Stefan), and Matthew Somweber (Jessica), his grandchildren Stefan Hosp (Marina), Thomas Hosp (Eva), Lea Somweber (Patrick), Andreas Papp (Verena), Anna Papp (Chrissy), Wesley and Evelyn Somweber, and his three great-grandchildren Alina, Paulina, and Malia, and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Matthew and Geri Cannizzaro. He is also survived by his very special Stowe family Bob & Kate Neilson, Lindsey Lamb, Brian Neilson and their families & many friends in Stowe, Austria, and beyond.

He will be forever missed and loved by his family, we know he will be with us when we sit on one of his benches and while on the slopes. All who knew and loved Arnold are welcome to join in a celebration of his life to be held on April 11th at the Trapp Family Lodge. More details to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Arnold's memory can be made to the American Heart Association or to UVM Medical Center, St. Joseph's Hall, 5th Floor, 111 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401, or online.