Video: Gstaad-Scott Freestyle Winter Camp

For many teams, the winter months are a time to train in the gym or on the road bike in a warm climate, to build up strength and stamina for the year ahead. For Gstaad-Scott, we wanted to do something a little different for a week, to build the team atmosphere and to test ourselves against different conditions and challenges, many of which we are not so expert in. The World Cup season is going to be substantial this year and it's important that the team is in the right physical and mental place from the start.

So for our one year anniversary of teaming up with the Gstaad resort in Switzerland, the team decided to spend a week hitting the slopes in the Gstaad valley and trying out other activities such as XC skiing and ice skating. The team also tried out the Gstaad Snowpark alongside the local freeski team - much to their amusement - and the BigAirBag at the Saanewald Lodge.

For once, the team staff didn't have to squeeze into the small beds of the "Black Pearl", our tour bus, but were privileged to enjoy the comforts of the amazing Hotel Ermitage Golf, with its incredible cuisine. Thanks to the Ermitage for the hospitality, and to everyone in Gstaad who made this week so enjoyable for us!

Pumptrack King Adrien "Zit" Loron joined us for the week and took part in the Gstaad Winter Games. Later on, he would be the host for a more bike-specific training camp for Gstaad-Scott at his home town in France, including freestyle pro Yannick Granieri and more. A video of that will be released soon, so stay tuned!

The camp started at Scott's headquarters, where the athletes got to see the latest innovations.

Patrick Thome showing his freestyle skills, with Emilie Siegenthaler and Adrien Loron following suit.

Brendan attacking on skis, followed by plenty of pow.

Adrien Loron at home on this snowboard.

The beautiful Gstaad valley with powder for miles.

Brendan had to take a couple of dives into the deep snow.

No friends on powder days...who gets more powder?

Noel Niederberger, almost as fast on skis as on a bike.

It's all about racing...

Adrien Loron at the Gstaad Winter Games: First time on a Scott, first time on snow. It's time for a back flip!

Words by Claudio Caluori
Photos by Hansueli Spitznagel
Video by geebeebee media