Sascha Schmidt

Name: Sascha Schmidt
Nickname: Säschu
Birthdate: 5.9.
Nationality: Switzerland
Home Mountain: Schilthorn

Athlete talk

How and when did you start skiing, how has it evolved ever since and what got you into freeskiing?
With his parents owning a small holiday home in the mountains and the closest ski lift within walking distance, Sascha basically grew up on skis and competed in his first race at age 6. 15 years later with numerous FIS races to show for himself, he realized that he actually did not get to ski as often and as freely as he wished and opted to move away from skin-tight suits and material wars. In 1997 Sascha started his training to become a ski teacher which he combined with a language learning holiday and some weeks shredding in the US. After having skied sketchy lines and champagne powder in Snowbird, Park City and Utah it became quite obvious to him that the best skiing can be found off-piste. Since then heaps of snow has fallen and sadly melted again, Sascha became a Pro freerider, competed at several Freeride Worldtour and Redbull Snowthrills stops in Europe and North America and raced skicross at world cup level. Furthermore, Sascha has made it onto the cover of 10 ski magazines, appeared in numerous ski movies and organized freeski camps throughout Switzerland and Canada. Today, his experience is a valued resource, not only for the development of technical products but also of sport-specific services. In addition, Sascha runs his own bike and freeski shop “Free-Mountain” in Thun, Switzerland, since 2004.

What does skiing mean to you personally?
It’s since 40 years a challenge, learning every day from the nature and about me, being out in the nature and it’s the best way to connect from all the bad things that are happen on this world…

What were your 3 biggest accomplishments on hill and why?
1) Since 18 years with no up and down in the freeski bussiness
2) Since over 13 years with SCOTT Sports
3) I can do what I love to do, skiing!

What aspect of skiing thrills you the most?
I never have a day like bevor and also after 18 years in the freeski business I learn on every single day

In what conditions and what terrain do enjoy riding the most?
Deep pow is for all freeskiers the best to have, but freeskiing is more then powderskiing, I like it also to ski in bad snow or on the groomers with my kids.

Any activities that aren’t ski related?
In the summer mountain biking and tennis.

How do you manage to combine family/friends and job?
I have a ski shop and my two kids and the wife are skiers too, that means no job, just fun…

Please answer, if possible, with one word only.
Movie: dump and dumper
Book:  3x3 from werner munter
Drink: wine
Food: fondue
Country: Switzerland
Resort: Schilthorn
Car: vw t6

What do you like about SCOTT?
Style, innovation and quality

What are your favorite SCOTT products?
LCG Goggles

What SCOTT products are you using this year?
LCG Goggles, Symbol helmet, Riot+ poles and Air Free 12 backpack

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?
Same place, same business on the same planet.

What sponsors do you ride for besides SCOTT?
Schilthorn
Kästle-Ski
Snowlife
Penguin
Orthomotion
Free-Mountain.ch

What’s playing on your iPod right now?
The radio station “fly food selecta”

People you feel you need to thank?
The family, my supporters and all the skiing buddies.