Intersport Hiking Days: Up the mountain with Olympic champions

This August, I’ve been looking back a little nostalgically at the Intersport Hiking Days from 2019 and 2018, which I was allowed to accompany as a presenter. It was ten wonderful days, each with exciting guests and many enthusiastic hikers that made these events something very special.

One hiking region here is more beautiful than the next: from Kitzbühel to St. Anton, Bad Kleinkirchheim to Hinderstoder and many other mountain pearls of the Austrian Alps. The high expectations of the hiking fans were fulfilled 100%. Hiking enthusiasts from all regions of Austria had the opportunity to climb the peaks with their stars and to be up close to them.

Each of the Intersport Hiking Days started with several guided hiking-groups and afterwards there was not only excellent food, but also an exciting supporting programme, which I led in my role as the host. There was a colourful mix of celebrity guests, delicious food, entertaining music and the latest highlights in outdoor sports. The love for nature and hiking in beautiful landscapes united Olympic champions and part-time mountain enthusiasts and has certainly become a great memory for everyone.

Olympic champions and alpine legend at Intersport Hiking Days

© Chris Steinbrenner: Fritz Strobl & Ronny Leber

Double Olympic-champion Benjamin Raich is an example of just one of the amazing guests who were at the hiking days. He led several hundred nature lovers up the slope where he was one place away from being the world champion in 2001 in Sankt Anton on the Arlberg. Ski jumping legend Andi Goldberger entertained the hikers with funny anecdotes. Double Olympic-champion Michaela Dorfmeister and downhill Olympic-champion Fritz Strobl also captivated the fans with their wit and enthusiasm.

A very special highlight for me was alpinist Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner the first woman in the world who climbed all the 8,000m peaks of the world without additional oxygen. Her stories inspired and moved me enormously, so much so that even my preparation for the interview gave me goosebumps several times. I took some of the experiences with me into my lectures.

For me, the Intersport Hiking Days were always very special moments, and I have missed them very much this summer. Do you enjoy hiking yourself? Which top sportsman or celebrity would you like to meet while hiking?

© Chris Steinbrenner: Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner & Ronny Leber