Last spring Fischer freeski athlete Max Kroneck set off for his biggest and most unorthodox ski tour ever. Together with his buddy Jochen Mesle he crossed the Western Alps to the Mediterranean Sea from Germany in four weeks. Among their baggage: their skis, to ride the most beautiful mountains on the way. However, they were not merely searching for virgin slopes and new challenges as big mountain skiers, they managed the entire route unmotorised, using just their own muscle power: crossing the Alps only by bike and with skis in 1,300km and around 20,000 vertical meters. Their destination: Nice.
The two adventurers faced a number of challenges on their over 40 days of travelling: from day after day of drizzle to skiing in firn snow in just a T-shirt and shorts. From awesome summit experiences on relatively unknown four-thousanders to febrile seizures due to a lack of rest days. From crossing passes in deep snow with 40kg of luggage including a bike on your back to daily washes in ice-cold mountain lakes. And finally: from skiing downhill early in the morning to the evening swim in the sea.
"Our dream was to embark on a skiing adventure right from our doorstep and not on the other side of the world. With this project we wanted to show our love for skiing and life in the mountains – something like 'big mountain riding by fair means'. I think we did quite a good job with our film 'Eis & Palmen'," says Max.
Eis & Palmen won the Audience Award at its premiere at the St. Anton Film Festival. Further screenings will follow – more information at: https://eisundpalmen.de/
