Anne Wangler

Anne Wangler is a powerhouse of a skier and living proof that big things often come in small packages. Growing up ski racing in the Ore Mountains along the Czech–German border, Anne developed an exceptional technical foundation that she relies on for her skiing, both on and off the pistes.

Frankly, Anne is one of the best skiers we know, and that says a lot.

By the age of 16, she quit ski racing and eventually shifted her focus to backcountry skiing instead. After trying a few competitions (“I’m not an amazing competitor,” she remarks), she found her true calling creating content and skiing in front of a camera.

As she’s a skilled photographer herself, she also takes on the role of creator behind the camera occasionally, too. She’s always on the lookout for new adventure, in any season, and she enjoys river fly fishing and the outdoors in general.

Most memorable skiing experience

“Most definitely a trip to Alaska back in 2019. I got to go there with two other athletes from my ski sponsor to ski in the Chugach range. It’s a very special place. The mountains are huge, and standing on top of your line by yourself is nerve-wrecking, exciting, and a bit scary. There’s just nothing like it.

It’s so quiet, and there’s nothing but mountains, wherever you look. It’s just you and these massive mountains. But it wasn’t just the skiing that made this trip stand out so much. It was also the friendship, the camaraderie, the bonfires, the deep conversations, and the most beautiful northern lights I’ve ever seen. It was the trip of a lifetime.”

How did you end up living your life as a nomadic skier?

“Shortly after school, I moved to Munich to finish my master’s degree in Sports Science and Management and Leadership. Being so close to the big mountains was a real treat, and I found myself skiing – and loving skiing – more than ever. I tried ski cross, competed in a couple of Freeride World Qualifier competitions, crashed a bunch, and even won a few times. However, I’m simply not an amazing competitor, so I struggled with the mental game a lot, and ended up pivoting over to the whole content side of things.

After quite a few years of working towards the goal of making a living by skiing, everything finally worked out, and I couldn’t be more grateful. It’s a privilege. I maintain a very simple lifestyle, and I don’t need much of anything. I don’t enjoy shopping, I’m not a huge fan of eating out – I prefer grabbing a beer at the river and watching the sunset, that kind of thing. I live in a tiny one-room flat in Innsbruck, and spend my summers in Canmore in Canada with my boyfriend. So yeah, skiing isn’t going to make me rich in any monetary sense, but I do get a lot of free time. I get to do what makes me the happiest, and this is more than I could ever have asked for.”

What drives you as a skier?

“I’m at my happiest when I’m skiing. I love exploring and seeing new places. Skiing is an art form to me, it’s like dance. Skiing is all about having fun. I certainly love a good challenge, but I don’t enjoy being scared to death. I want to enjoy this sport to the fullest for many more years to come.”

What does freeskiing mean to you?

“It’s in the name itself: freeskiing. Free from rules and systems. There’s no certain way you have to ride, there’s lots of room for creativity. Backcountry skiing is all about the people you share it with. You depend on each other, and work together as a team in which the main objective is always to be safe. So, you work to have the most fun you can while staying as safe as possible. It takes good communication, smart decisions, and the freedom to pick each other’s brains. The results depend on how everyone’s skill sets combine. It’s so special to find good ski mates who you can rely on completely in any situation.”

You do a bit of photography as well. How does that complement your skiing?

“I love the creative aspect of photography. I like showing things from different angles. You might have to look at some of my pictures for a while to fully understand them. I really enjoy walking around with my eyes wide open. Noticing the little things, slowing down, and getting lost in the moment. Photography is similar to skiing, but also very different. In the winters, I spend more time in front of the lens than behind it. Having an understanding for photography and how light and framing works really helps me when I’m out shooting skiing. I truly enjoy working on both sides of the lens. It’s amazing to get to work with like-minded, passionate people. We create together, for the art. When it all comes together, it doesn’t even feel like work to me.”