Skigastein Connects

Stangelwald and refreshment stop with Nici Schmidhofer

Former ski racer Nici Schmidhofer and the Gastein Valley have a lot in common, as does Gastein filmmaker Sandra Lahnsteiner-Wagner. A love of skiing and nature, a desire for adventure, but also a pact they made many years ago when Sandra was still Nici's fitness coach: "If Nici ever became world champion, we wanted to go deep-snow skiing together," laughs Sandra as she greets Nici at the valley station in Bad Gastein before sunrise. "I became world champion in 2017, but we haven't been on the mountain together yet."

Seven years to the day after the big title, the two are finally standing together on the Stubnerkogel and enjoying the view down to the Gastein Valley. It is also the first year after the end of their active careers. "Skiing without pressure is something I'm only now getting to know," says the skier from Lachtal. "A lot has changed. I'm much calmer, I don't get worked up so quickly anymore."

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Nicole Schmidhofer on her rehab and summer training in Gastein

"I have many positive memories of Gastein, even though I'm skiing here for the first time today. But I did my summer training at the Alpentherme in Bad Hofgastein and my rehab after my serious injury also took place here. It's such a beautiful area and I have good friends here."

A long-standing friendship

The pistes are in perfect condition as the two of them adjust their helmets and goggles once again, push off with their poles and carve towards the valley with long turns. Nici has remained faithful to skiing and, as an expert and camerawoman for ORF, is still able to get involved on the ‘coolest, coolest and most beautiful slopes’ in the world.

She can prove just how well she still knows her way around the Stangelwald at the Bad Hofgastein Ski Tourism School training course. Great pictures are taken, even if Nici forgets to commentate due to her enthusiasm and the gates that are quickly approaching her.

Get to know the ski areas

Stop off at the Weitmoser Schlossalm

Afterwards, the pair take it easy and warm up with a drink on the terrace of the Weitmoser Schlossalm. ‘I've always been a perfectionist and now I'm tinkering with my turn.’ There's plenty to chat about - after all, the two of them have shared intensive and formative years together.

On the Hängebrucke on the Stubnerkogel at 2,300 metres, Nici and Sandra once again enjoy the view of the Hohe Tauern National Park and its imposing peaks. Even though the weather gods were not so kind to the day of deep snow skiing, it was still a great day. Nici Schmidhofer and Sandra Lahnsteiner-Wagner want to try again soon. Skiing connects. Skigastein connects.

Discover Skigastein

Introduced: Nicole Schmidhofer

Introduced: Nicole ‘Nici’ Schmidhofer
The Austrian ski racer can look back on an impressive career:

Date of birth and origin: born on 15 March 1989, grew up in Schönberg-Lachtal, Styria
Successes at world championships:
- Gold in the super-G 2017 in St. Moritz
World Cup successes:
- 4 World Cup victories (3 downhill, 1 super-G)
- Victory in the 2018/19 Downhill World Cup
- A total of 12 World Cup podium places
End of career: March 2023 after 16 years in the World Cup.
Current job: Since the 2023/24 season, she has been working as a camera operator for ORF at the Women's Ski World Cup speed races. Medical masseuse and owner of SN Sports . She is also a well-booked speaker and has her own podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2GC2HBlNCkTDHN3FJR9g0a
Specialities: Nici Schmidhofer was known for her strength on fast and technically demanding courses. In addition to her career in skiing, she is a passionate drummer, hiker and tennis enthusiast.