In between season, we chatted to a true multi season talent who enjoys hitting big booters on her skis just as much as dropping in barrels. Presenting: Lena Stoffel

Interview by Anna Langer

Hey Lena, you just got back from NZ last week – how was it?
It was really nice. I spent 4 weeks in Wanaka and it was my first time in NZ as I didn’t really ski in the summers before. I loved the country and the people. Everybody is so friendly and kind and the landscape is just breathtaking.

What where you up to down there?
I spent most of the time riding and training in the Snowpark NZ. It’s not far from Wanaka and you reach it over a really fun and cool dirt road. We had quite good spring conditions so it was a really good training to get back into skiing and the most important to start in October from a different level. Now I can go straight to Hintertux and be ready for the jumps! That was also my main goal for that trip. In the afternoons we went for runs along Lake Wanaka or had some training exercises, went shopping and then cooked together.
On our downdays we checked out the westcoast. We drove over the Haast pass throught tschungle to the coast! As I said before it’s just breathtaking. I wanted to see way more but the time in New Zealand seems to run faster then elsewhere.

You also had a Roxy photo shoot. Do you enjoy that side of your life as a pro skier or is the modelling part something you’d rather skip? 
No I wouldn’t skip it. I like it to hang out with the girls of the team… It’s a good crew and always a lot of fun also with photographers, filmers and make up artists. They are always really interessting and cool people. And you get to do what you normally wouldn’t do or see places where you wouldn’t go. For example standing under waterfalls! I like the modeling part.

Have you always wanted to become a professional athlete or what was your dream job as a child?
I think I didn’t really have a dream job when I was a child. I haven’t planned to get a professional athlete although I kinda crew up with beeing an athlete as I was an alpine racer in the national junior team until I was 17. When I stoped alpine racing I went studying in Innsbruck and since I am a good skier and my boyfriend is a feeskier as well I grew into all this I think. First the freeriding but then year after year more into freestyle.
And I like it a lot! Expecially the part of meeting a lot of new people and travelling. I do see some negative points in all this and the whole scene too, but I guess that it’s like that in every job and every scene. I really enjoy my time now.

You headed straight to France after NZ – what are you doing down there?
I am going to surf! Quiksilver has their boardriders house down in Hossegor where they run a surf camp with invited pro team riders from Quiksilver and Roxy. This week is gonna be mine and Aline Bock’s week. So we are going to surf with the campers and coach them a bit too. I am really looking forward to summer and waves!!

Isn’t it hard to swap between seasons like that?
It’s the first time I do it like that. It is really weird suddenly beeing in the cold in the middle of the summer and into skiing. But its also fun and a good thing to do! Living both passions is as good it can get I guess! It was a good training for me now in New Zealand and now I’m gonna enjoy a little more summer to be fully motivated and ready for the long upcoming season!

The temperature drop in Europe (15 degrees over night) last week was pretty harsh already  – any tips on dealing with such season-swapping?
Puh, warm cloth I guess (first thing I bought in NZ was merino wool socks! hahaha)… A good fire place is really really cozy and gets you warm as well and good food and good people.

What are your plans for this winter, do you have another trip like the Kashmir one (that we featured in the mag last year) coming up?
I am planing on competing most of the time I guess. I will do the Worldcup Tour to qualify for the Olympics and the rest of the time I’ll try to get as much powder and shooting in as possible. And yes end of the season I am on a plan for another nice trip! Its still early maybe there a few other things as well. Nothing set yet! Still in process!

Lena is sponsored by Roxy and Juzzy Energy.