Shaper House Sölden, 06:45 a.m. | Get Up, Stand Up

“I usually get up at that time because I’m the one in charge of the park opening. Occasionally, Tomek might join me and take a couple of runs through the park. Sometimes he also sleeps in because his main working hours don’t start before four in the afternoon.” Johanna says. It is still dark outside, yet the shape crew is ready and set. All of them sitting together in their temporary home for this season and enjoying their breakfast. Both, Johanna’s and Tomek’s plates make a quite healthy and colorful impression. “We’re both vegans, so our day usually starts with a vegetable sandwich. And some coffee, of course!” The scent of coffee is irresistible, however, the time has come for us to get up into the mountains. One last sip and we are on our way to the gondola.

Giggijoch Sölden, 07:45 a.m. | Our Day in the Mountains Starts

It has been snowing lightly during the night, the obstacles are still covered in white gold and Johanna has already gotten ahold of her shape tool. The layer of snow has to be removed and all of the take-offs and landings have to be reshaped. Although Tomek is still with us, he has to be on his way soon, “I’ll take a ride through the park, the Funslope and various stations of the Adrenalin Cup and take notes what has to be done. Later on, we’ll have a team meeting where we gonna discuss the reshape in the evening. See ya later!” Johanna and the other shapers who are in charge at the moment are shaping the park into mint condition, so they are able to open the doors on time at 09:00 a.m.

AREA 47 Snowpark Sölden, 10:00 a.m. | It’s Shred Time

The shape crew has already taken their first runs through the park – after all, the results of the finished work have to be tested as well. Shaping in Sölden allows the crew to live out their passion all day long and to spend as much time as possible in the mountains. “The view from the park’s just amazing! We get plenty of sunny days here in Sölden, which obviously adds some extra motivation and I also get the chance to pursue my second hobby besides snowboarding – photography – even in terms of my job because I also maintain the park’s Facebook and Instagram pages.” Johanna points out. Her smile and her sparkling eyes certainly prove that she has found her dream job - her calling if you will. And where are we going for lunch? “There’s a great place down at the end of the park, they even have a salad bar.” Oh yeah, there was something, wasn’t it... #govegan

Giggijoch Sölden, 04:00 p.m. | It’s Time for a Reshape

Tomek, Joanna and the rest of the shapers are gathering at the snowpark or the Funslope and the Adrenalin Cup, respectively, to reshape the obstacles. Plenty of visitors were riding the facilities during the day and everything has to be in perfect shape again tomorrow. “We’re working at the take-offs, cutting them into the right shape and I’m also driving the Bully through the park, so that everything’s in mint condition tomorrow. Sometimes we also build new obstacles in the evening or we add some small changes to the already existing setup. This year, there are a couple of cool new features. The overall concept relies on the thought that everybody should be able to ride the park, but also the more advanced riders should get the possibility the go creative,” Tomek says. Today, they will not build anything new and after the reshape it is time to ride down into the valley. Umm… where is the party?

Shaper House Sölden, 07:00 p.m. | After Work

The members of the shape crew are having dinner and enjoy their time after work. It was quite a long day, but the fresh air apparently provides them with plenty of energy. Some of them will go to bed early today, though, but Johanna is in party mood. “I don’t have to get up early tomorrow, so I treat myself with after-work beer. Usually, the party then just kinda happens,” she laughs. “There’s plenty of options for going out here in Sölden, actually we’re quite spoilt for choice.” And what is it like working together as a couple during the whole season? “It works out great, because both of us get the opportunity to do what we love. For Tomek, that’s riding the park and the bully and for me snowboarding and photography. Last winter we were working on different projects, Tomek here in Sölden and me in Poland. That was quite a challenge but this winter’s going to be easy!” On that note, we are looking forward to a snowy season at the AREA 47 Snowpark Sölden!