And now for the final fireworks...

That’s right, we have something else for you before the summer break! High up on the Rettenbachferner glacier where the winter is still the dominant force, park design legend Rudi Wyhlidal has once again created a monstrous media obstacle. Looking at his previous projects, you know why he’s been in the game for more than a decade, even though he’s mainly focusing on photography now. But let’s hear about this year’s beast from the man himself:

Hey Rudi, after last year’s “Incredible Project”, people are obviously excited to find out what you came up with this time! Which obstacle will await the crews this time on the glacier? 

We’ve gone back to the roots this year and built a similar kicker as we did two years ago on the glacier. Most people will remember it from the Pirate’s movie “Hooked” Isen7’s “Don’t Panik”. But the kicker alone wouldn’t have met our own aspirations, so in addition, we’ve built a phat hip beneath the kicker!

What dimensions are we talking about here, numerically speaking?

The kicker has a flat of about 21 meters, the take-off is about 4m high and has an angel of 32°. The landing has 34° and a length of 50 meters. I haven’t measured the corner/hip yet, but it’s massive! The take-off must be about 5 meters and the whole thing is probably 20-25 meters long.

This year, you’ve passed on your place as the park designer of the Almdudler Snowpark Sölden to Christoph Schöpf and are increasingly focusing on your second passion besides park design – photography. Then, how important is it to you that you’re still creating the media obstacle in Sölden yourself? And why?

Honestly? I just didn’t want to dig up the entire park after each dump but instead preferred to go for some powder runs myself. No, you just don’t get rid of old habits that easy, right? I’ve been a park designer for years and I always enjoyed it. However, the time was right for something new and to give way to a successor in the park. In my opinion, Christoph is the perfect guy for the job! As I’ve always enjoyed shaping and like getting creative as a photographer, the media obstacle is a perfect way for me to combine my two passions without having to let one of them behind.

Thanks a lot Rudi! Alright, now you know what’s up. In fall we will provide you with the full action clips from the media obstacles. In order not to let you off into the summer break empty handed, here are the freeski and snowboard teasers from the glacier sessions:

FREESKI

SNOWBOARD

Check out the clips and enjoy your summer! See you in fall when we will be getting ready for the next season in the Almdudler Snowpark Sölden!