The magic of freeriding

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The magic of freeriding

„The harder you try, the more you learn. And sometimes at the end, you get the reward."

Max Draeger, Photograher & ORTOVOX Ambassador

A wall that challenges

Flanks tend to lean back the closer you get. Usually. The north face of the Lenzspitze, however, has no intention of doing so. It remains upright, tall and steep – up to 55 degrees steep.

Towering above Saas-Fee the 4.294m high Lenzspitze is one of the most striking peaks in the Mischabel range. And its 500m long face is a true steep skiing icon. It has been on my bucket list for ages. Today, it could potentially mark the highlight of an exceptional season – if everything aligns.

Two long days ascending. Two sleepless nights in the freezing cold winter rooms of the Bordier and the Mischabel huts. Nevertheless, on this day in May 2024, Sabine "Bine" Schipflinger and I must accept that the snow conditions are not sufficient for a safe descent. Our way back down to the valley seems endless. Too much time for too many thoughts. Were we too cautious? Should we have tried? Did we evaluate the snow conditions correctly? It’s not the first time those questions are running through my head…

FABIO KECK AND MAY DRAEGER: THE MASTERS OF IMAGE SHOOTS

Fabio Keck and Max Draeger are the driving forces behind our impressive image shoots. Fabio takes on the role of the producer, while Max stands behind the camera as the photographer. No mountain is too high for them, and no slope is too steep when it comes to capturing the perfect shot.
But Fabio and Max are not only active behind the camera. Both are athletes themselves and passionate skiers. This season, they finally took the opportunity to step in front of the camera and tell their very own story.

a season mirroring the mountains. full of ups and downs.

Just a few days prior, I was standing with my team buddy Fabio Keck at the Piz Palü hesitating for a long time. In the end, we broke off there, too. The lower half of our line remained hidden in the dense clouds. And in the Ötztal Alps, I had to reluctantly admit (the second year in a row) that I won’t be able to realize a film project because of the warm and risky conditions.

Yet, the time will come when all the pieces fall into place. Just like they did in the Georgian Caucasus, where we had the most amazing time set against the sensational backdrop of Ushba. After a dump we played in knee-deep powder and skied a gigantic couloir at the Tetnuldi glacier.

Yet, we do not have to travel far to find the magic. Sometimes it’s merely on-piste turns, the crunch of the snow skinning up, exploring an untracked gully near my home in Innsbruck. I often find that the most memorable days are those I least anticipated. And in the end, it always comes down to the people. Freeriding is about sharing. Sharing the adventures, the rides, as well as the set-backs – and then enjoying a beer.

turning back also means the chance to return

The north face of the Lenzspitze never left our heads. It’s late June. Bine and I are on our way up to the Mischabel hut on the summer route. We get up at 2am for a quick bite. The wind is icy with snow falling and the clouds looming low. At the foot of the wall the strong gusts almost weep us off our skis. Maybe it’s just not meant to be. We dig a snow hole, crouch, wait and see. After two hours the clouds start to disperse. We mount the crampons and climb up the flank reaching the summit at a quarter to nine.

And then: we finish our ski season with turns in the perfect firn on this exposed, awe-inspiring flank. It feels incredibly rewarding. Would the feeling have been the same if it had all worked out at the first attempt? Lines like this demand dedication, passion, respect and a strong inner drive. It’s an emotionally charged run down to the hut. The feelings are hard to describe. But we don’t have to. Time for a beer.