LA: You've been skiing since you were little, used to be in the DSV squad and then switched to freestyle and freeriding. What do winter sports and skiing mean to you?
LS: Skiing has been with me my whole life. It's something that comes very naturally to me and it means a lot to me to practice a sport that brings me so close to and into the mountains.
The new Patagonia film Vanishing Lines was launched in mid-December. You and Mitch Tölderer are the main protagonists and actively speak out against the so-called glacier marriage between Ötztal and Pitztal. When you hear such plans, do you think that today's winter sports are still up to date?
That's a difficult question. I don't think such plans are in keeping with the times, not winter sports per se. We should protect these sensitive, wild landscapes, as there are not many of them left and they are already endangered enough by climate change. Glaciers are an ecosystem that is changing and melting extremely quickly. Exploiting these ecosystems, making them accessible to every winter sports enthusiast and building on them is simply not in keeping with the times and not right.
Can we as skiers and winter sports enthusiasts still use cable cars with a clear conscience or should we switch completely to ski touring?
No, that would be the wrong step. It would mean that more and more people would be able to access natural areas. I think you can use cable cars with a clear conscience. Ski resorts also limit the area in which people ski and snowboard somewhere. I think we should improve the existing infrastructure so that it functions more sustainably and we should also support and use small ski areas. So that these are also preserved and not just the big ones benefit from tourism.
The higher, faster, further is not just for ski resort operators. We live in abundance almost everywhere today. Do you think we should sometimes go back to the simple things?
Yes, I definitely think that we should try to enjoy the simple things and, as mentioned above, use the ski resorts, the great infrastructure that is already there and maybe spend a few days at a small, local lift instead of going to a great, luxurious ski resort.
About simplicity: Your sponsors, including Patagonia, Hydro Flask and Swox, are known for their commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. Has this always been an issue for you too?
Yes, my sponsors, including Fritz Kola, are all committed to environmental protection and social justice. I have always loved nature and this is also my main motivation for practicing the sports I do. I would say that it hasn't always been an issue. Subconsciously for sure, but in the last few years, awareness has grown and I try to actively advocate for it. In my own way, I try to inspire people to protect our beautiful nature through my visual language and my passion for photography and filmmaking. I'm not very political, so I try to use my strengths of creativity, storytelling and photography to lead by example and inspire.
