Anton Bjärvall Stolpe

I learned to ski at the age of 12, taught by my mum and dad, and although I grew up in the south of Sweden with no mountains nearby, skiing quickly became a huge part of my life. Almost every winter my family travelled to Åre, and occasionally to Austria, and those trips sparked a passion that’s stayed with me ever since. I’ve never competed in skiing, but last winter was a turning point when a friend and I spent the entire season in Saalbach-Hinterglemm working in a ski rental. Being on the mountain almost every day showed me just how much more there is to skiing beyond a single holiday week, and that’s where I decided to take the next step and become a ski instructor. I mainly ski on piste, where I have the most experience, but I’m excited to explore more off-piste terrain—especially with St. Anton on my doorstep—and I’m always keen to keep developing, including a bit of park skiing.

One of my best memories is from last winter’s Ski World Cup in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, when Sweden beat Austria in a parallel event; as two of the only Swedes in the crowd, my friend and I celebrated what felt like a very personal victory amidst an unforgettable atmosphere. I became an instructor to combine my love of skiing with helping others learn and gain confidence, and my favourite part of the job is being outside all day, skiing, having fun, and knowing that working in the mountains beats any office job.

Outside of winter, I’ve worked as a bartender in southern Spain, tried my hand at surfing, and in my free time I enjoy playing guitar, reading, staying active, and spending time with friends.