The ski challenge is back: Vienna Ski Connect presents a digital bridge between gaming fun and active sports.

Under the motto "The Future of Sport Between Reality and Virtual Reality," Vienna Ski Connect hosted an exclusive ski and business evening at Intersport Winninger in Vienna-Stadlau on November 3rd. Organized and moderated by Martin Dolezal, President of the Vienna Ski and Snowboard Instructor Association "Snowsports Academy," the event provided an exciting platform where skiing tradition, technology, and the joy of movement converged.

Snowsports Academy President Martin Dolezal joined ski world champion Elisabeth Görgl and tennis star Stefan Koubek in testing the game “Ski Challenge” on the MFT Bodyteamwork balance board.

In a high-caliber panel discussion, personalities from sports, technology and media discussed how gamification can motivate young talent and rethink winter sports .

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Ski Challenge in combination with the MFT Challenge Disc Digital – a smart balance board from MFT Bodyteamwork. With a built-in sensor and a Bluetooth-connected app, the board becomes a digital training device for balance, stability, and coordination. The game was brought to life in an interactive experience area provided by LAOLA1 , featuring life-size ski dynamics. Particularly noteworthy: it's the only ski game played without VR goggles – combining physical activity with immersion. Furthermore, the combination of app control and the MFT board allows for active gameplay at home on a TV or tablet .

The new MFT Challenge Disc Digital – Snowsports Edition.l.

Also presented was the new MFT Challenge Disc Digital – Snowsports Academy Edition in striking red: https://www.mftshop24.com/de/alle-produkte/fit-line/mft-challenge-disc-digital-snowsports-55/

Inspiration & Discussion: How digital movement strengthens real sport

Double world champion, singer, and mental coach Lizz Görgl emphasized during the panel discussion that progress in sports is essential: "We have to move with the times. Everything that leads to sports is important . If it aims to get people doing sports outdoors, then I welcome it." Even though she herself belongs to the minority who don't play computer games, she stressed: "If we get people back to skiing and being active – wonderful. Then it has served its purpose."

Philip Peinsold , CTO and board member of the Ski Challenge, highlighted the project's enormous success story: "The Ski Challenge has thrilled over five million people since 2003. It was one of the first major gaming crazes in the German-speaking world."

Although the Ski Challenge was discontinued in 2016 for business reasons, initiatives to revive the game emerged in 2021. Peinsold sees the joint effort by the ski federations of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland to push the project forward as a historic step: "We want to bring young people closer to skiing again – actively involved digitally, not passively. And then out into the real world, onto real skis."

Under the theme “The Future of Sport Between Reality and Virtual Reality,” lively discussions took place at the Wien Ski Connect event hosted by Intersport Winninger.

Skiing as an absolute ratings winner

From a media and marketing perspective, Bernhard Brückl , Head of Sales at LAOLA1, also emphasized that digital tools should serve live sports: “This is not a replacement, but an add-on. Fast, barrier-free access that sparks interest in real sports. Gaming activates emotions – and those lead back to the mountains.” He also pointed to compelling data: Skiing is now the most popular sport among female users on LAOLA1 and the area that ranks among the most consumed and commented-on topics in individual news articles.

Tamara Schandl , Sports & Event Manager at the Austrian Tennis Federation (ÖTV), reported on how the ÖTV utilizes the e-sports sector. "We deliberately invested in virtual reality early on and, together with LAOLA1, organized the first Austrian VR Tennis Championships ," explained Schandl. The final took place directly at LAOLA1, and the winner qualified for the VR World Championships in Las Vegas—where he made it to the semi-finals.

Furthermore, VR tennis was successfully integrated as a hybrid event format at the Erste Bank Open. "We don't want to bring tennis players to VR tennis – but rather VR players to tennis ," she emphasized. "The Ski Challenge can achieve exactly the same thing: reaching young, digitally savvy target groups and gradually introducing them to the real sport."

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Use every technology to actively inspire enthusiasm

Fritz Hutter , renowned sports journalist and Head of Content at Sportpass Austria, saw great potential in a healthy balance between digital and physical options: “If something leads us to active engagement, I’m all for it. The potential is enormous.” He clearly advocated for using any technology that motivates people to exercise and emphasized that digital solutions can be a valuable complementary element. “The crucial point is that digital technology doesn’t become a replacement, but rather a springboard for genuine physical activity .”

Roland König , president of the Vienna Ski Association, agreed , emphasizing the value, especially for urban areas: "We must use every opportunity to get children and young people excited about skiing. In a big city, this is an exciting opportunity."

König pointed out that he and Martin Dolezal regularly discuss topics such as ski simulators, artificial slopes, and indoor facilities to give young talents access to winter sports even without regular trips to the mountains. "Virtual technologies and motion-based systems like the Ski Challenge ideally complement this infrastructure and can reignite enthusiasm for snow sports."

Visitors were able to experience the game “Ski Challenge” firsthand in an interactive experience area hosted by LAOLA1.

Host Intersport Winninger: Tradition with a future

The venue, Intersport Winninger in Vienna-Stadlau, was also special. "Winninger is one of the few family businesses with such a large branch network – and has been a reliable partner of sports for decades," emphasized Martin Dolezal . Representing the family, Dominik Winninger provided insights into the scale of the retail company: "We operate 12 branches from Parndorf in Burgenland to Steyr. Stadlau is one of our largest and strongest locations, especially in the ski hardware sector. An ideal setting for this event."

Conclusion

The Vienna Ski Connect event impressively demonstrated how digital motion technology can create genuine enthusiasm for snow sports . The Ski Challenge – a piece of Austrian gaming history – carves its way into the future with innovative momentum and becomes the bridge between digital activation and real movement on the snow.

Via Vienna Ski Connect

Vienna Ski Connect is the business and networking platform of the Vienna Ski Association. Its aim is to connect sport, business, and the community, promote innovation, and shape the future of winter sports together. More information: https://www.skiaustria.wien/de/businessclub

Photo credits: philipphutter

Text: Martin Obermayr