The Joy of Climbing a Million Vertical Metres
The Swiss resort of Engelberg, famous, among other things, for its huge lift-served vertical drop of 2,000 metres, having the longest winter season in Switzerland and an enviable snowfall record, is celebrating one of its own this winter, a man known only as “Snowflake”.
At the age of 77, Snowflake is one of the best-known faces on the famous Swiss resort’s slopes, and is revered as a ‘Höhenmeter Millionär’ meaning he has skied well over a million vertical metres on Engelberg’s slopes. In so doing, Snowflake says he has found the way to happiness.
“There is hardly anything that spreads as much happiness and joy as skiing. And no one embodies this joy as beautifully as the Engelberg legend “Snowflake”. His passion and enthusiasm for winter sports are contagious and transfer to all who are lucky enough to enjoy his company,” an Engelberg spokesperson explained.
Snowflake has the most skiing days in Engelberg to his name and, even at 76, never misses an opportunity to pursue his passion. He prefers to be on the boards every day, clocking up an astonishing 150+ ski days per season. However, his absolute passion is not only for the groomed slopes. With a big grin on his face, he also sweeps through the deep snow on Engelberg’s world-famous freeride slopes.
Now the resort plans to release a series of five films celebrating Snowflake and following his seasonal journey on Engelberg’s slopes, from the first ski days in autumn to the springtime descents.
Who is Snowflake?
The films will not only allow viewers to experience the breathtaking slopes and deep snow descents for which Engelberg is famous but along the way also meet up with another of the resort’s famous sons, World Cup superstar Marco Odermatt, as well as illustrating the entire splendour of Engelberg and its stunning beauty.
Each of the films will showcase a different moment of happiness during the season, giving you the opportunity to experience the unique joy of skiing. The feeling of happiness that “Snowflake” experiences when doing so is simply contagious, and he really does have every reason to smile.
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