Sonja Koller

I learned to ski at 3, taught by my mum, who was a ski racer and instructor herself. I grew up in Vienna and later lived in Berlin, not exactly ideal places for a skiing obsession, but in my family, we felt it was our personal obligation to check that the lifts were still standing and the slopes were still running, so I spent weeks skiing every winter. I learned in Schladming, went to Kitzbühel every season, and even raced in the areas closest to Vienna, so compared to my very short professional career in primary school, the Arlberg is definitely an upgrade. You just have to put skis under my feet, and I’m happy: I still love racing, find real passion in technique and slaying on the slope, and love a good backcountry adventure. What motivates me most is watching the superstars race in person. Two seasons ago, I finally saw the famous Kitzbühel slalom, but my favourite race ever was the much lesser-known slalom in Chamonix, where the smaller fan scene reminded me why this whole shenanigan started: being outside in the most beautiful scenery, combining sightseeing with a workout, and endorphins going crazy.

Since my mum was one of my first instructors, it always felt like a given that one day I’d become one too, though relocating to Berlin didn’t make that mission more accessible. Then I got laid off at 26, which turned out to be an amazing thing: it finally gave me the time and the push to put my career on the right track. I just love people, getting to know them and teaching them a new passion. As a travel journalist and social media manager for Visit Austria, I’ve made it my personal mission to show visitors a good time in my home country, so if you’re looking for someone to make your ski lesson look extra good for your friends back home, I’m the one for you. This is my first season.

I hold a Bachelor’s in Journalism & Corporate Communications and have worked in the field full-time since I was 22. Summers are for hiking, biking, photographing it all, and enjoying the perks of city life, good matcha, yoga and Pilates, plus I’ve joined the (half) marathon bubble, balanced out by a lot of reading. Two surprising facts about me: I used to be the Austrian Champion in hip hop (always ready for a dance battle), and I’ve been to 74 countries, so please challenge me to see if I’ve been to yours.