Schneestern plays a major role in the action sport industry. This team of about 100 people, who operate from the Bavarian alps, plan, construct, and maintain terrain parks in resorts such as Silvretta Montafon, bike parks like in Oberhof, as well as pump tracks and skateparks. Most of their projects are visible throughout the alps, but there are some major international projects on their to-do list as well: Olympic Games in Beijing, X-Games in Norway, Air+Style, Audi Nines,  to name just a few.

Schneestern working on obstacles. Photo Credit: Schneestern 

Working both indoors and outdoors on a daily basis, these guys need to make sure they can trust their gear, which is why they have partnered up with Helly Hansen Workwear.

 A team of passionate outdoor people

The Schneestern team is a very dedicated group of colleagues. Having thriving passions for one or more action sports that the company engages in, each team member works with a well defined end goal in mind. Next to the office crew, there is a big team working directly on the construction sites and travelling all over the world, and a second team that plans and builds the various elements inside the workshop in Durach. This team divides itself into 2 different responsibilities: Half the team work as joiners for the wooden features, the other half are metal workers. Together, they build what we know as rails, boxes and all kinds of other obstacles for freeskiing, snowboarding, biking and skating.

Building obstacles for the major Slopestyle events: Olympics, X-games, …

So how does it all come together? Detailed planning is key, there are a few standard obstacles that can be bought from Schneestern but for bigger projects such as the X-Games or FIS World Cup, very specific constructions are being developed. Obviously, the regular freeskier at your local park will probably not be able to ride the huge features used by Olympians but at the same time, the best of the best need more than just your every-day park rail!

After planning, the features go into construction. Currently, the team is working on creating huge rails of 6m length and more! One can imagine who might be riding these soon enough.

Planning is key. Photo Credit: Matthias Schwarz

Planning is key. The obstacles are built based on athletes’ capabilities, simply put: It is extremely important to consider different angles and lengths to know where and how the rider will go on and off the feature.

A steel pipe forms the upper of the obstacle. Cut in half and then fastened onto the metal construction (seen in the background). Photo Credit: MatthiasSchwarz

Small metal pieces are welded into the pipe to make sure it fits properly on the construction. Photo Credit: Matthias Schwarz

Now the construction of the obstacle itself is final. But obviously, your skis or snowboards will not run smoothly over a steel pipe, so the next step is to galvanize or varnish it before it moves into carpentry.

Covering the sides of the obstacle with an aluminum composite plate. Photo Credit: Matthias Schwarz

Generally, one would think the piece now is finished. But if you don’t cover the sides, it can be dangerous for athletes to get stuck on the side with their skis. Therefore, the sides of the obstacle are covered with an aluminum composite plate.

Cut & measured, then put onto the obstacle using rivets. Photo Credit: Matthias Schwarz

Finishing up the obstacle’s structure. Photo Credit: Matthias Schwarz

Once attached, the sides are covered with graphics, color or logos, like the Olympic Rings. Finally, off they go on an airplane to all over the world!

As Schneestern is the complete expert in their field, some of the staff will also fly to the larger events, to make sure the planned set-up is put into place correctly, and maintained throughout the events. Next to rails and other obstacles, Schneestern is also in charge of building the huge jumps of snow – the overall concept is what makes Schneestern so unique and strong in the market.

Picture from the FIS Slopestyle World Cup set-up in China, 2021. Phot credit: Schneestern 

Schneestern – A team of passionate builders & sportsmen

Most of Schneestern’s employees are passionate skiers, snowboarders, bikers or skaters themselves. Next to being able to do what you love, this makes a great team of like-minded people sharing their passion for outdoor sports.

Aside from passion, a major element in this field of work is trust. Worksites are always dangerous, and so are the ones in snow. Teams need to have full trust in one another to ensure work safety on sight. Many obstacles are built using heavy machinery with very limited visibility from the inside. On one hand, the obstacles need to be safe for all the athletes competing on them and on the other hand, they need to resist heavy snow, rain or winds and any other unforeseen weather conditions nature might throw at them.

Of course, obstacles also need to be tested to make sure they run as smoothly as planned. What better way to do this than doing it yourself? Photo Credit: Schneestern

We are proud to have such a close partnership with the team of Schneestern, ensuring they are safe and protected with the right workwear whilst working in some of the harshest environments known to mankind. Head over to their website if you want to learn more about Schneestern and the work they do.