Skigastein Connects

Behind the scenes bei School of Champions

So far, we have mainly got to know Sandra Lahnsteiner-Wagner as a gifted skier in Skigastein Connects. This changes fundamentally with the new instalment of the series. The Gastein native is so much more. Even during her career as a professional freerider, she turned more and more to producing, regularly stood behind the camera, directed films and is now regarded as an accomplished outdoor and adventure filmmaker.

She combines both worlds in the coming of age production School of Champions. As the head of the SKI unit and editor of the 1st unit, she and her team of six to eight cameramen are responsible for the action shots on skis. And brings an authentic racing feeling into the living rooms of the series' fans. On the last day of filming for her unit, she takes us up the mountain with her and provides exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into everyday life on film.

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Auf diesem Bild ist Sandra Lahnsteine in Winterkleidung bei Schneefall zu sehen

Sandra Lahnsteiner on her experiences at the School of Champions

"We proceed shot by shot according to a very precise shot plan that was developed from the script. Sounds complicated? It is. And it's still fun, even if we have to go out in all weathers."

Gastein as a quiet star

As the cast of the series does not ski at a professional level, the SKi-Unit works with up to ten ski doubles from the region. Active and former ski racers and students and graduates of the Bad Hofgastein tourism school, who turn the protagonists into credible up-and-coming talents. One of them is the newly crowned parachute world champion Sophie Grill, who herself was on her way into ski racing until an injury. "When I'm back here on the piste in the early morning like I used to be, it makes my heart beat faster,"she says enthusiastically about the filming.

Lukas Jäger, also a former racer, goes one better: "At School of Champions, I rediscover my love of skiing. It makes me realise why I started the sport". For Christian Thoresen, Director of Photography at SKI-Unit and drone pilot, however, the silent protagonist is Gastein itself. "The light here in the morning simply couldn't be better. From freeriding and piste skiing to professional giant slalom runs, we were able to shoot everything in this stunning setting. Even a downhill run".

Get to know the ski areas

Shooting finish on the Schlossalm

The action on the piste is still tense. Numerous cameras keep an eye on the riders whizzing past, race drones follow them and Sophie rides through the forest of poles several times with the GoPro in her mouth. Then a loud "It's a wrap’ sounds from the radio." And everyone falls into each other's arms. The end of the shoot on the Schlossalm, all the pictures in the can.

And even Sandra Lahnsteiner can no longer see the tension of the many days of filming. "Now I'm just curious to see what the ski action shots will look like in the episodes. Without the great collaboration with the Gastein cable cars, none of this would have been possible".She beams into the camera. These days will connect the whole team forever. Skigastein Connects.

Discover Skigastein

Introduced: School of Champions

The Austrian TV series offers a deep insight into the lives of young ski talents at an elite boarding school.

Countries of production: Austria, Switzerland
Original language: German
Storyline:The series follows ten young athletes who are accepted into the renowned ski academy in fictional St. Geis after a rigorous selection process. There they have to find a balance between hard training, school commitments and personal challenges such as love, envy, loyalty and betrayal. With breathtaking shots from the world of winter sports, the series highlights not only sporting but also interpersonal issues.
Director: Dominik Hartl (episodes 1-4), Johanna Moder (episodes 5-8)
Filming locations: Much of the series was filmed in Gastein, where the spectacular mountain backdrops serve as the backdrop for the fictional ski academy. The shots of the Schlossalm and the high mountain landscape of Sportgastein are particularly impressive.
Special features: The series combines thrilling winter sports action with coming-of-age stories and was filmed in the Gastein Valley and Vienna between October 2022 and March 2023. It is not just a highlight for ski fans, but also for anyone who loves stories about courage, ambition and personal development. The third season is currently being filmed.