When St. Anton am Arlberg gets under your skin

"Many people think I'm crazy when they first see me,“ Jens tells me half-jokingly, ”but as soon as I explain the tattoos to them, they get it. The crazy thing is just how many mad keen ski freaks there are out there like me!

The 38-year-old native Belgian has lived with his family in Tuscany for 20 years. Just like his younger brother Jiri and cousin Geoffrey from Alken, he learned to ski at the age of four: ”In Pettneu am Arlberg, a fantastic family ski resort at the time.“ Since those first attempts, Jens has been drawn back to the Arlberg at least once every winter: ”Initially with his parents to Pettneu, then later on his own to St. Anton.“ He has also visited other ski resorts in Italy, but in the end, has always remained loyal to the Arlberg: ”We just know the slopes inside out.“ Yet there is never a dull moment, and Jens and Geoffrey are now also drawn to the mountains of Tyrol in summer.

One inking after another Tradition, memories, fun, family ties - are what makes the Arlberg special for Jens. The designer, who runs the jewellery shop 'Galleria J' in San Gimignano together with his brother and mother, makes a point of openly acknowledging his great love for the region. Six significant tattoos already adorn his body: ”I design the motifs myself and then have them done by a tattoo artist from Florence.“ 


Many favourite locations provide plenty of inspiration for new motifs. Although Jens doesn’t have one favourite spot in particular. ”It’s more the Arlberg feeling itself.“ The next motif is already in the pipeline for the Arlberg super fan: ”I think it will have something to do with Lake Kartellsee ...“ 

Two skiers wearing helmets stand in the snow against a wintry Alpine backdrop. They proudly open their jackets to show identical tattoos on their chests – a minimalist line with a stylized mountain design.

The Designs

Close-up of a tattoo on a man's chest. The design features stylized ski lift lines with slopes and dots, resembling a ski resort layout.

1st tattoo

 

A stylised map of the lifts of the St. Anton am Arlberg ski area: ”Skiing and St. Anton are a single entity for me. My brother Jiri and cousin Geoffrey also have this tattoo.“ 

Two tattoos on the ankles: on the left a black snowflake, on the right a minimalist symbol resembling a ski slope marker.

2nd and 3rd tattoo

 

The Arlberg star and a stylised tattoo of the Pettneu coat of arms: ”Heimat - Homeland“.

A young man with a bare upper body shows his side tattoo: three stylized mountain peaks in clean black lines.

4th tattoo

 

Silhouette of Hohe Riffler Mountain: ”We have admired this mountain since we were children and I could instantly tell it apart from thousands of other mountains.“

Calf tattoo showing geographical coordinates: 47.08154°N, 10.20316°E – likely a meaningful place in the Alps.

5th tattoo

 

Pettneu Church coordinates: ”The moment I see the church as I drive from Italy, I feel relaxed and know that I am finally back at my 'home away from home' again.“

A second coordinate tattoo on the opposite calf: 47.09187°N, 10.17063°E – another Alpine location with personal meaning.

6th tattoo

 

Schindlerkar coordinates: ”Where my favourite ski slope starts.“