Born in 1939, Ernst first strapped on a pair of skis at the age of six. By 1956 he had become Austrian Youth Champion in slalom and finished second in Alpine Skiing Combined. Just two years later, he also experienced international success: In 1958, he won the giant slalom competition in Cortina d’Ampezzo and in 1959 he came in an outstanding 4th place at the Hahnenkamm Slalom in Kitzbühl. An additional highlight of his career was his participation in the Ski World Championship in Chamonix (1962).
