Interview from August 11, 2023
Fritschi ambassador Jochen Reiser
Jochen Reiser is a German freeride skier. He is 43 years old and has two older siblings. Back then, his brother took him skiing as a state ski instructor and taught him the passion.
As probably one of the most accurate freeskiers, Jochen has also always pushed his education, because with a good income structure it can finally live more relaxed. He has a degree in geography (physical geographer specializing in avalanche science, glaciology and snow science), a master’s degree in sports science and is a state-certified ski guide and ski instructor. In 2007 he founded the snowacademy, which he still runs today.
At the age of two, Jochen Reiser stood on skis for the first time. At twelve he wanted to become a professional skier, but not linked to a competitive goal, no, a much more fundamental one: to go skiing every day. From eighteen he was increasingly on the move off-piste, taking part in the Freeride World Tour and appearing in various film and photo productions. Jochen Reiser is a veteran of the German freeride movement, he lives for skiing and is bursting with ideas.
He could tell many stories and is still on the road as a professional freerider; although today rather more thoughtful and risk-aware than in his younger years. In the past, Jochen didn’t want to miss a powder day, but today his focus has shifted somewhat. The most important thing for him is to be able to pass on his passion for skiing.
From living out to passing on
The extreme, athletic performance is no longer in the foreground for Jochen these days, rather passing on the joy and knowledge of skiing as a whole. His competent, analytical and communicative approach, combined with his authentic and likeable manner, stand him in good stead. Whether this knowledge sharing is in a private or professional context, there is no difference for him. You notice immediately that Jochen Reiser lives for his passion, skiing.
Fascination skiing
But why skiing in particular and what makes this fascination? First of all, Jochen is interested in every kind of skiing, he sees it as a whole, whether on or off-piste, with or without lift assistance.
What makes the fascination, he comes to rave. It is the feeling of weightlessness – similar to flying – which comes to bear especially in fresh snow. This feeling of happiness, and thus the feeling of freedom that skiing conveys, is all the more important as a counterbalance in today’s extremely performance-driven society. It can also give disoriented young people an anchor in society.
«The almost weightless – flying-like feeling – when skiing a powder slope is unique!»
Probably the most accurate freeskier
You can tell that Jochen needs challenges and tasks. What reinforces this is that he is probably one of the most accurete freeskiers. He is structured and needs security. During his studies, in addition to being a professional skier, he was also a ski instructor in Switzerland – in the Valais – and trained in this region.
Towards the end of his studies as a graduate geographer and the master’s degree in sports science, the idea sharpened to convey the fascination of skiing off-piste holistically. So Jochen founded the snowacademy in 2007 to have a second leg to stand on as a professional freerider and still be outside in nature.
Today he is still the owner, managing director and the secretariat/administration of the company, while his mountain and ski guides work for him as freelancers, on a fee basis. Administratively, the snowacademy is time intense, because Jochen is the contact person from the first contact until the end of the camp. The camps are characterized by an all-round carefree package (you arrive and don’t have to worry about anything). This is associated with an immersion in the world of freeskiing, be it for a week or three days. Stories are told, an exchange takes place. In short, the participants get an impression and can be part of this ski scene. The group is on the move together all day and thus right in the middle of the “special experience”.
«Everyone wants to experience something special and for that you have to offer something special.»
The future
This is where worry lines appear on Jochen’s face, because the social tendency for skiing to become more and more elitist hurts him, but in his view it can hardly be averted. However, he is convinced that the core community will remain, even if it is small and elitist. He has tried to counteract this with targeted youth camps for disadvantaged children. He believes that the American conditions will also intensify in Europe, and that nothing can be done about it in his opinion.
«For 1 week ski vacation, you can go for three weeks summer vacation nowadays.»
The broad masses will probably change their orientation. Lift tickets are becoming more expensive, ski resorts are dying. However, it is precisely in the ski resorts that people learn to ski before venturing off-piste.
Nevertheless, Jochen believes in the core community and wants to continue running his business in the future, albeit less outdoors and more at home. He has had many powder days. Everything that comes now is extra benefit. However, as typical for Jochen, he needs more tasks, starting a family is one of them.
«I had countless powder days, what comes now is extra.»
Jochen’s bindings
Jochen appreciates the innovative Swiss ski bindings. Especially thanks to their technologically unique orientation to alpine ski bindings.
This results in impressive driving performance and exclusive safety release functions analogous to a piste ski binding.
«There are pin bindings and pin bindings – but I am very happy that I have the opportunity to ride and test the current best pin variants on the market with the company Fritschi. Because even with pins, nothing beats a realistic Z-value and a trustworthy safety release.»
Further links:
https://snowacademy.de/
Instagram: jochen_reiser
