I started skiing at age of two and it’s been my life’s passion ever since. My father took me into the backcountry pretty early and taught me a lot about the endless skiing possibilities off-piste. My first pair of skis – I got them from my sister – were Kästles made in Vorarlberg, Austria. I got my own skis at the age of twelve, the white Kästle RX National Team ski. They were extremely hot and I was really proud of them.
Biggest success:
3. Red Bull Snowthrill 2006
4. Engadine Snow 2006
4. Columbia Ride 2006
1. Arlberg Open Space 2004
2. Arlberg Open Space 2002
2. Adrenalin Rush 2001
The spirit of skiing:
Strap on a pair of planks and experience it yourself.
The most risky experience:
Falling asleep while driving on the highway.
The most painful experience:
I tore my cruciate ligament for the second time last season while filming for a new project in Canada. When I stopped after a tree run my knee just bent backwards. It sounds strange, but the worst pain was not from my knee but from my heart because I felt all my upcoming projects tear apart along with my knee.
The ultimate day on the mountain:
Be on the right mountain with the right people on the right day. It’s not about the altitude of the mountain, which mountain, the weather or which people, but it is about the moments you share and enjoy.
What goes through your head before dropping a big face?
My first and my last turn and everything in between. Nothing else except the moment and what I am doing right now, just the entire moment.
Reminiscence about KÄSTLE:
Ever since I can remember I have been riding Kästles. As a skier from Vorarlberg you can’t really ride anything else because Kästles are made in Vorarlberg and Anton Kästle is from Hohenems in Vorarlberg. My father put me on Kästles from the beginning and basically I don’t know anything else. I have always been able to really identify with the brand because I have been really impressed by the people competing on Kästle like Anita Wachter, Hubert Strolz and Pirmin Zurbriggen.
Three reasons why KÄSTLE:
I am riding Kästle because I really like riding skis (1) that are made by skiers (2) for skiers (3).
I started my career as a professional skier after Kästle disappeared in the 90’s. I never ever thought that I would get to be a Kästle team rider. There was no hesitation when I got asked to be on the team this year…of course!
What do you do in the summer?
I am devoted to my second passion – producing films for ZeroDivision – where we make movies about arts and sports.
Music:
honest, hand-made music.
Role models/Idols that inspire you?
I have never really had any concrete idols or role models. For me, I look up to people in the spotlight and people in the streets who share one thing in common: they have always done what they believe in.
Passions:
Photography, surfing, travelling, getting to know new people and cultures that inspire me.
