Magazine

The path to becoming a professional skier is often characterised by passion, hard work and a deep connection to nature.

Nils Haltinner and Fabian Zurniwen, two young talents from Zermatt, live for skiing.

As a proud sponsor, we support them in realising their sporting dreams. Their stories show how important passion, mental strength and a connection to nature are for success in skiing - and how much they are inspired by their home town of Zermatt.

Fabian Zurniwen

What does it mean to you to be part of the NLZ?
Nils: I enjoy being part of such a great team and competing with them in training.
Fabian: I’m not part of the national team yet, but I’m on the right path.

Which skiing discipline is your favorite and why?
Nils: Slalom, because it requires technical precision and quick legs.
Fabian: It changes. Sometimes I love speed disciplines for their pace, and at other times, I enjoy the precision of technical disciplines.

What does a typical training day look like for you, both on and off the slopes?
Nils: Breakfast, warm-up runs, course inspection, 6–8 training runs, lunch, some schoolwork or a power nap, conditioning, video analysis, and bedtime around 10:30 PM.
Fabian: Warm-up exercises, 6–12 runs, recovery activities like ice baths or games with teammates, and ski preparation in the evening. Conditioning includes strength, endurance, and coordination training.

Nils Haltinner

How important is mental preparation in your sport?
Nils: It’s essential—if your mindset isn’t right, nothing works.
Fabian: If your mind isn’t ready, you can’t perform at 100%.

What has been your greatest sporting highlight so far, and what are you most proud of?
Nils: Being selected for the NLZ and becoming runner-up in the Valais Championships in Super-G.
Fabian: Finishing third in the Swiss U16 overall standings, which qualified me for the Whistler Cup and the NLZ West.

What challenges have you faced as an athlete?
Nils: Injuries, like a foot injury last season that made me miss 50% of my races.
Fabian: I’ve been lucky to avoid major injuries, though minor issues like equipment adjustments come up.

How do you handle setbacks or defeats?
Nils: I seek support from family, friends, and coaches, but ultimately, I must find my way back on track.
Fabian: Keep pushing forward, even during tough times—it will get better eventually.

Who or what motivates you to give your best every day?
Nils: My goals and dreams.
Fabian: My teammates, who encourage and challenge me to improve.

What are your athletic goals for the next season?
Nils: To finish in the Swiss Cup Top 10 and achieve under 60 FIS points in slalom and giant slalom.
Fabian: To achieve a podium finish in the U18 overall standings.

Do you have long-term dreams or goals in skiing?
Nils: To win the slalom crystal globe and Olympic gold in slalom.
Fabian: To win World Cup races, especially on the Streif and in Adelboden.

What do you envision for your career after skiing?
Nils: Becoming a coach at an RLZ or NLZ.
Fabian: Pursuing a career in the tourism industry.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not skiing? Any hobbies outside of the sport?
Nils: Playing golf and spending time outdoors.
Fabian: Biking with friends and staying active.

How do you spend your time when you need a break from training?
Nils: Golf helps clear my mind.
Fabian: I spend time with family and friends or relax after a demanding week.

How does it feel to be sponsored by the CERVO Mountain Resort, and what does this support mean to you?
Nils: It feels great, and the support is a big help for me and my family.
Fabian: It means a lot, as finding sponsors at my age is challenging. I’m proud to wear the local CERVO logo on my helmet.

What role does the Zermatt region play in your career? Do you have special memories of skiing there?
Nils: Zermatt is where my career began, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Fabian: Zermatt is my home, where I learned to ski, and it’s an integral part of my life.

How important is your connection to nature and the mountains, especially compared to the stress of competitions?
Nils: Very important. I grew up in the mountains, and they are the stage for our sport.
Fabian: Nature and the mountains allow me to recharge and take a break from competitions.

What parallels do you see between the values of CERVO Mountain Resort and your personal lifestyle as an athlete?
Nils: CERVO is versatile, just like my lifestyle as an athlete.
Fabian: Values like innovation and continuous improvement align with my own approach as an athlete.

What advice would you give to young athletes dreaming of becoming professional skiers?
Nils: Always work hard, but most importantly, keep enjoying the sport.
Fabian: Never give up—hard times will always be followed by better ones.

We wish Fabian and Nils every success for the future!