Water, wax & sparks
The man skiers in Kitzbühel trust: Florian Oberacher
Kitzbüheland skiing go together like bees and honey. From October to the beginning of May, winter sports enthusiasts here enjoy over 200 days of skiing. During the annual Hahnenkamm-Races, things get truly crazy in town as thousands of ski enthusiasts travel to the heart of the Alps to witness live and in person as best ski racers compete on the legendary Streif, one of the most difficult downhill race courses in the world.
A tough guy with a knack for precession
Practically born on skis, Florian Oberacher is a Kitzbühel local through and through. Florian has worked at KitzSport’s workshop for 10 years, ensuring that our skis are always in perfect condition in winter. Arriving by way of seven KitzSport rental locations, Kitzsport’s competent staff handles between 200 and 500 pairs of skis per day. “Each ski is handled at least 7 times until it is ready,” explains Florian. In spite of numerous sophisticated technical aids, ski preparation is still manual work that requires a certain amount of feeling and care.
Especially during the Hahnenkamm-Races, most skiers request a racing service.
The optimal preparation and maintenance of skiing equipmentdetermines how the ski behaves on the snow. This can make a crucial difference in the performance of a skier. “Of course, the right service alone can’t perform miracles either, but we do have a few insider’s tips and tricks,” says Florian with a wink.
I service skis so that anyone can ski the Streif race course
“(…) Regardless of whether you’re an amateur, professional racer or just an ordinary skier.” As a die-hard Kitzbühel native, Florian knows the Streif like the back of his hand. He also knowswhat’s important when it comes to ski servicing. In addition to an individual’s skiing skills, factors such as snow temperature or the condition of the snow must also be taken into account when servicing the skis. Florian is a master of this fine art. Stay sharp: If you’ve ever dreamed of having perfect skis for the slopes, service your skis with the pros beforehand!
Sometimes happiness just comes.
But sometimes you have to be forced.
(…) at least that’s Florian Oberacher’s opinion anyway. After all, his job as a ski service technician was not a childhood dream. But, it has become his dream job! He is one of the few people who can say with a clear conscience: “I have turned my hobby into my profession.” Florian has a special passion for damaged ski surfaces and edges, which require individual attention. Fortunately, he has a tool for everything.
“Of course there are some challenging cases,” admits Florian, “But having fun is a must and it’s one of the key things he likes about his profession.” Florian seems visibly comfortable around the huge machines in the KitzSport workshop and usually wears a smile on his face.
#LocalHeroes from Kitzbühel
People are behind all the special moments in Kitzbühel and its holiday villages of Reith, Aurach and Jochberg. Such personalities are the focus of our “Local Heroes” series, in which we turn the spotlight on the true heroes of our region. Though these courageous individuals probably don’t consider themselves to be heroic, in our eyes they are. After all, their passion contributes to Kitzbühel’s unique way of life.