Marius Schwager

A somewhat different book from the world of mountain sports recently reached the PG editorial team. The unusual title "Solo mit Familie" refers to the mountaineer and mountain guide Stephan Keck and retrospectively describes the experiences of a daredevil and family man. An unusual book that leaves the reader oscillating between shaking his head, amazement and appreciation.

It's 17.5.2012 – the Magic May Day of 2012. Almost every year, the so-called "ice saints" come as a positive surprise. In many years, this weather phenomenon enables one or two perfect powder days in the middle of what feels like early summer in the middle/end of May. Lush powder snow at the top of the mountain and a beer garden atmosphere down in the valley. So we once again had the pleasurable duty of putting this farmer's rule to the test.

"Are those next years bindings?" This question was answered with a resounding "Yes?" at a deep snow day in Tyrol in March 2012. The further development of the classic Marker Duke freeride binding with the EPF suffix made it to the PG editorial team and was thrown into the tough freeride reality impatiently and without further ado.

The PG editorial team put the do-it-all freeride ski AMPerage from Black Diamond through its paces not only in a short test but also in an endurance test in the fantastic winter of 2012. After many ski tours in the Tyrolean Oberland and even more freeride days in the Zillertal, we draw a seasonal conclusion.

The very own Tyrolean national sport will be celebrated again on 14.4.2012 on the Innsbruck Nordkette. Anyone who enjoys snow and gliding should not miss out on this unique family event

Mountain sports and freeriding require a great deal of experience. Fabian Lentsch is a real exception here. He is only 18 years old, stood on Mont Blanc at the age of 13, qualified for the final events of the Freeride World Qualifier Tour at the age of just 17 and is considered one of the biggest young talents in the freeride sector. PowderGuide spoke to the "Junior" about his goals and his view of freeriding.

The morning coffee isn't even ready yet and the freeride mood is already in the cellar once again. "High pressure prevails over the Alps" - the morning view of the weather and fresh snow forecast in winter 2011 was more monotonous than ever before. But on this morning at the end of March 2011, a message from Fabi flashed up in Skype: "Fancy Norway? I've got a few pictures from the Lyngen Alps that you should take a look at. There's snow there!"

Changeable snow conditions made for an exciting final event on March 24, 2012 at the Verbier Xtreme for the final of the Freeride World Tour. And the winners are...

The participants of the Mountain Mastery in Sölden enjoyed a great atmosphere, good snow and perfect weather.

The Ostwand Open Big Mountain Jam for everyone took place for the seventh time on 17.3.2012 in Hochfügen. The privately organized freeride event was a complete success with the best weather, spectacular action and a harmonious community. Due to the postponement, the starting field of 24 participants was somewhat smaller than in previous years, but represented the heart of the scene from leisure skiers to pro riders aged between seven (!!) and 50.

[11] - A non-commercial action sports film follows 11 athletes through the year 2011. The crossover film offers 60 minutes of freeski, mountain bike, skate, surf, kite and wakeboard action made in Germany. The El Flamingo crew traveled all over Europe for the production of [11]. The list of spots ranges from kitesurfing spots in Denmark to powder lines in the central Alps and the desert dust of Spain. The still very young El Flamingo film team spent over a year accompanying a wild bunch of very different young athletes who share the same attitude to life.

The fifth stop of the Swatch Freeride World Tour 2012 took place in Fieberbrunn (Austria) on March 10, 2012 in fantastic snow and weather conditions. A good 1000 spectators watched a perfectly organized competition on the Wildseeloder in sunshine and 20 cm of fresh snow. Drew Tabke (USA) won the skiers' competition on the steep north flank ahead of Kevin Guri (FRA) and Reine Barkered (SWE). The snowboard contest was won by Jonathan Charlet (FRA) ahead of Innsbruck's Flo Orley (AUT) and Aurélien Routens (FRA). There was an Austrian double victory in the women's competition: Eva Walkner (AUT) won the women's skiing competition and Liz Kristoferitsch (AUT) won the women's snowboarding competition.