INTERSKI CONGRESS LEVI 2023 – A congress of the highest caliber
Under the slogan "The (guest) experience is everything," 1,500 ski and snowboard instructors from over 38 nations met for a week at the Interski Congress in Levi, Finland, at the end of March. Despite the deepest winter conditions and temperatures that dropped below -25°C in the mornings, Martin Dolezal, Johann Reisenberger, and Stefan Wallner from the Snowsports Academy were there and brought back a wealth of exciting insights to Austria. In an interview with Martin Obermayr, editor-in-chief of Insight Snowsports Magazine, they share their experiences in Levi.
Insight: In recent years, the Interski Congress has been a frequent topic of discussion among experts, including its significance for winter sports. What does INTERSKI stand for in your opinion?
Johann Reisenberger: “It’s not without reason that the congress is also called the ‘Olympics for snow sports instructors.’ While the demonstration runs by the individual countries aren’t about who achieves the fastest time, and there are no medals, everyone is naturally watching each other very closely – or rather, watching each other’s feet. As a congress participant, you try to develop a feel for how skiing and snowboarding are practiced in different countries. You can also observe how certain cultural aspects influence technique and teaching methods.”
Stefan Wallner: “With the Austrian demo team, it was clear that they placed great emphasis on a dynamic, meticulously coordinated, and controlled riding style. To the music of Johann Strauss's Viennese waltz 'The Blue Danube' (note: during the closing show), there were hardly any discernible technical differences between the individual demonstrators. For other countries, the focus was more on speed and fun – as with the Swiss demo team, who also used the kicker placed on the slope for jumps and stunts. The Korean team, on the other hand, showcased very dynamic carving runs at high speeds.”
Besides comparing techniques, it's also about forging friendships and building a worldwide community of snow sports instructors who want to share their common fascination with the world.
Martin Dolezal: “Yes, absolutely. I had the pleasure of attending my first Interski Congress in St. Anton am Arlberg in 1991. Besides the technical and methodological discussions, it was always the people themselves who inspired me. Over the years, many friendships have developed with participants from all continents. We all love this sport and want to share its fascination with as many people as possible. What's so exciting is the unifying effect that snow has and how it makes cultural and other differences fade into the background – because only the shared experience counts.”
Your beaming faces still show what a formative experience Interski 2023 must have been. What exactly made it so special?
Reisenberger: “For me, the Interski in Levi was the greatest congress I have ever attended. The main reason for this is that the distances between the hotel, the slopes, and the lecture and seminar rooms were very short. This created a very relaxed atmosphere among the congress participants. You were independent in your activities and could easily attend all the workshops and lectures you wanted.”
Dolezal: “Another advantage was that you constantly ran into other conference participants throughout the week. This provided many opportunities for small talk, resulting in very open and interesting communication. That wasn't always the case at some other conferences.”
Following Lech am Arlberg's withdrawal of its bid, no new applicant has yet been found for the next Interski event in 2027. What does this mean for the future?
Dolezal: “We need to find a ski resort as quickly as possible that is willing to host the congress in 2027. Discussions are already underway with various ski areas to find a suitable solution. If no location is found for Interski in 2027, it could mean the end of this event, which has been held regularly since 1952. The importance of ski instructors for ski resorts and tourism is often underestimated these days. Congresses like Interski help ensure that qualified staff for ski schools are available in the future and retained through the many opportunities offered by an international community. However, we are confident that one or more suitable applicants will be found by autumn.”
What is your final assessment of Interski 2023?
Wallner: “I think I can speak for everyone: For us, Interski was and is a must-attend event that absolutely must continue in the future. It's always enriching to see how many paths there are to achieving goals. The Interski Congress makes this clear every time. Digital media helps us stay informed and in touch, but it doesn't replace personal, face-to-face interaction. Many things were done right at the congress in Levi. We should build on these positive aspects to ensure the next Interski Congress is also a great success.”
Insight Snowsports thanks you for the interview.
The team:
Martin Dolezal
President Snowsports Academy
Johann Reisenberger
Managing Director Snowsports Academy
Stefan Wallner
Snowboard Training Manager
Thomas Ebster
Managing Director iFLOW GmbH
Photos and videos by Stefan Wallner
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