ORTOVOX VOICES – our athletes
The ORTOVOX VOICES are the voices of our mountain community. They are a community of passionate mountain athletes with a focus on the intense mountain experience, and who are connected by their deep appreciation of our mountains. They inspire us with their stories – they help improve our products through their experience. For you, for our mountain community.
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Nat Segal
About Nat
She studied a bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in painting and over the last decade has worked to blend her mountain pursuits with her creative background. She is also an ACMG Hiking Guide.
How did she get into skiing?
She started skiing at the age of 2 years old in Australia. Their mum was a volunteer ski patroller and passed on her love of skiing to her siblings and her. She competed in racing and moguls until she graduated high school. It wasn't until she took a gap year during her studies at university that she was introduced to freeride and backcountry skiing in Chamonix, France. She spent six month working as an au pair and learned to backcountry ski, jump off cliffs, rock climb and explore steep descents. The next year she registered for her first freeride event and the rest is history!
What have been some of her personal milestones or highlights?
During her competition years she podiumed on both the Freeride World Tour and Freeskiing World tour. Some of her expedition highlights include several first descents in south-west Greenland and producing several short documentary films where she has worked both in front of the lens as an athlete and behind the lens as a producer and director. Recently she completed her ACMG Hiking Guide certificate and is excited to continue her summer guiding in Canada.
What motivates her in her sport and mountain life?
While she has her personal goals, working in a team or with other athletes in the pursuit of a shared goal is what motivates her most in outdoor sports and life. She also loves helping to support others journey's of getting into mountain sports as a guide and a ski coach.
How would she describe her mindset, style, or values as an athlete?
She thinks her mindset is quite balanced. She tries to approach goals slowly with the idea of taking small baby steps to achieving her dreams and recognize that the journey is usually a rollercoaster and you need to enjoy the ride. While she loves to challenge herself, when things don't work out she takes a moment to take in her surroundings and recognize that she is lucky enough to spend her life in the mountains.
Pre-ride rituals and habits
When she is nervous skiing or rock climbing she usually starts singing to herself to help get rid of the nervous energy. She also sings while she ski out of happiness. She is a pretty average singer so it's not always for the enjoyment of everyone else!
Personal Quote or motto
"Over prepare and then go with the flow."
Ortovox X Nat Segal
She has been working with Ortovox since 2024, when they partnered on her film Mountain Joy. "Ortovox makes products that support and enhance my time in the mountains. As a hiking guide and skier I have a backpack on my back most days filled with essential safety gear. Working with a brand that helps to provide functional, safe and amazing equipment makes my job easier. Ortovox also collaborates with me as a creative and is helping me to pursue my goals in the mountains and also sharing perspectives on how we spend time in them."
There are too many incredible places in the world to choose from! I live in Revelstoke, BC and there are some very special areas around my home, including the Illecillewaet glacier valley and surrounding peaks that I make an effort to visit every year.
Hometown: Revelstoke, BC
Website: Nat Segal
Cody Townsend
About Cody Townsend
Cody Townsend is a U.S. big-mountain icon who continuously redefines the limits of the sport. Born in Santa Cruz, California, he discovered his passion for skiing at an early age. Today, he is one of the most well-known athletes in the freeride scene, renowned for his breathtaking descents and spectacular film projects.
How did he get into skiing?
Cody first stepped on skis at the age of two in Squaw Valley. Inspired by legends like Shane McConkey and Kent Kreitler, he spent his youth exploring the mountains and developing his own style. His talent was quickly recognized, and he made a name for himself as an up-and-coming big-mountain skier. Now, after more than two decades as a professional, he continues to capture attention with his ambitious projects.
What makes him such an extraordinary skier?
Cody Townsend is known for his fluid style and an apparent effortlessness with which he conquers steep slopes and executes spectacular jumps. In addition to his successes in competitive skiing, he gained widespread recognition primarily through his film projects. The legendary couloir line The Crack from the film Days of My Youth (2014) made him famous worldwide when the video went viral. Starting in 2019, Cody dedicated over five years to an extraordinary project—THE FIFTY—with the goal of completing the 50 most legendary ski descents in North America. The accompanying documentary series captivated over 20 million viewers. Following the completion of this project, Cody continues to pursue and document unique mountain adventures under the name THE FIFTY PLUS. With boundless enthusiasm and an unwavering drive to take on new challenges, Cody Townsend remains a leading force in the world of skiing—constantly seeking new experiences and the pure joy of the ride.
Ortovox X Cody Townsend
"ORTOVOX takes a unique, technologically advanced, and sustainable approach to product development," says Townsend. "From the most innovative airbag system to intuitive and easy-to-use avalanche safety equipment, I truly appreciate what ORTOVOX does for backcountry safety." Cody is an ORTOVOX ambassador for innovative avalanche safety equipment, including the electronic LiTRIC avalanche airbag backpack and the DIRACT avalanche transceiver.
Favorite Spots
„The 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America“ ;)
Hometown: Santa Cruz, Kalifornien
Website: Cody Townsend
Nacho Olmedo Manich
About Nacho
He comes from the freeride skiing world but he do enjoy all the alpine disciplines nowadays. He likes switching from skiing to climbing and vice-versa even if it's painful!
What have been some of his personal milestones or highlights?
He has awesome memories of one expedition in siberia with friends. They spent six weeks exploring and skiing steep couloirs in a wild mountain range.
What motivates him in his sport and life in the mountains?
Getting to know new summits and routes and sharing these moments with others. As a guide he loves seeing people pushing their limits and improving.
How would he describe his mindset, style, or values as an athlete?
Not really focused on the route difficulty or summit reputation. He is more interested on the beauty of the mountains and routes and sharing it with his rope colleagues.
What’s his professional background?
He used to work as a researcher on natural hazards in mountain areas. Nowadays he works as a mountain guide. He have been training skiers and professionals to risk management and snow science for a while, he really enjoys that.
How does his journey start in the mountains?
Always with his preferred ceramic big bowl filled with granola and fruits, and a good coffee of course. A peaceful moment before the action.
Favorite summit
Montagne des Agneaux (Ecrins) and grand Capucin of course...
Pre-run rituals and habits
Always put on the right shoe first...
Personal Quote or motto
Let's try !
ORTOVOX X Nacho
Nacho has been part of the Ortovox Ambassador Team since 2010. "That's a long story together! Ortovox is like a companion now. We have evolved together. From freeriding to more serious alpine activities and enjoying every summit or run! I feel identified with ORTOVOX values."
French Alps
Hometown: Savoie, France
Website: Nacho Olmedo Manich
Konsti Ottner
About Konsti
His favorite playground is definitely big mountain lines – but honestly, he feels at home anywhere in the mountains. Whether it’s pillow lines and jumps in the backcountry or spontaneous slushy park laps at the local resort – it’s exactly that variety that makes skiing so special for him. You constantly have to adapt to the conditions and make the best out of every situation.
How did he get into freeriding?
That actually happened back in the good old days – before social media and all that. He once got two snowboard magazines as a gift in a shop and flipped through them countless times. Right away, he knew: That’s what I want to do! So getting into freeskiing was just a matter of time. Back then, he was still racing competitively with the ski club, but in his mind, he was already chasing powder or hitting the funpark. Then his mom signed him up for a junior contest – and that pretty much marked the end of his racing career. Plus, he just thought the snowboard and freeski scene was way cooler.
What have been some of his personal milestones or highlights?
Qualifying for the Freeride World Tour in 2018 is definitely one of them. He landed on the podium at almost every contest that season. That alone was great – but actually making it to the FWT was a bit of a dream come true. Even though he had to drop out after two stops due to injury. But his real highlights have been different trips to the East: a road trip with the Snowmads crew all the way to Iran, a long film project with Legs of Steel through the Balkans, a film trip to Georgia and Turkey – those were truly amazing times and some of the best memories.
What motivates him in his sport and mountain life?
What really motivates him is simply being outside. He just loves spending time in nature – whether it’s skiing, biking, or even just out looking for mushrooms.
Which regions is he mainly active in?
Definitely based in Tyrol – and he also loves spending time in Switzerland. When it comes to traveling, he’s been drawn eastward again and again over the years, both in winter and summer. The further, the better! He loves being on the road, discovering new cultures, and making new friends along the way.
Pre-ride rituals and habits
He always puts on everything starting with the left side first – left ski boot, left glove, left ski… He can’t really explain why, but it just feels wrong if he doesn’t.
Personal Quote or motto
Besides “Dies Das Ananas” (a playful German saying with no real meaning), nothing specific comes to mind. But in general: Always stay positive and be patient. :)
ORTOVOX X Konsti
Konsti has been an official ORTOVOX athlete since April 2025. “The partnership with ORTOVOX really means a lot to me, and I’m super stoked about it. With such a motivated brand, you can bring cool projects to life – plus, they offer the best, highest-quality gear and products for trips and adventures all year round.”
Sorry, I'll never tell. xoxo Konsti
Hometown: Innsbruck, Tyrol
Andreas Lattner
About me
Rock, ice, snow, a paraglider and a camera. I’m fortunate enough to earn a living from my passion: the mountains. And life in a camper is soothingly simple.
Marlies Czerny about Andreas Lattner
It’s hard to believe that someone whose feet often don’t touch the ground (for example on a rockface or in the air) is so composed and grounded. It’s contagious! He plays to his strengths as a rope gun and as a computer nerd (he never forgets an update), camper barista (he never just makes a coffee, he celebrates it) and paraglider folder (he’s definitely the neater of us both).
What’s the craziest place you’ve ever bivouacked?
Camp 5 on the Nose on El Capitan, letting my feet dangle over the ledge and looking down at the hustle and bustle of tourists 800m below with a satisfied smile.
What languages do you speak?
German and English, and the Duolingo owl is trying very hard to teach me Spanish.
If a mountain was to be named after you, what should it look like?
An 800m vertical wall of rock (preferably limestone) on one side, and a slightly sloped meadow on the summit that I can easily paraglide off.
If you could bring back one fashion trend, what would it be?
Low-riding skater pants – they were really comfy.
My most bizarre moment in the mountains.
Being in the Hochschwab and hearing what sounded like a brass band from far away, only to later realize that it was a single Swiss alphorn player with a 2kg telescopic carbon horn.
In the parking lot at the foot of the south face of the Dachstein at sunset, after a long climbing tour in the fall.
Hometown: On the road in a camper since 2019 – originally from Upper Austria.
Fabio Keck
About me
I’m always on the search for adventure in the mountains – the more varied, the better. On skis or with ice tools in winter or on the rockface or under a paraglider in the summer. It never gets boring and there are plenty of destinations, too.
Max Draeger about Fabio Keck
Always ready with a quip on his lips and with a genuine Swiss (actually Tyrolean) army knife in the mountains – can do pretty much everything. And I'll never be able to match his drinking prowess...
Words or phrases that you often say:
“Wos sogga?” It’s a regional Austrian phrase for, “hey, how are you, what’s up, everything good?” and it’s the best way to start a conversation.
Your nickname? What do your friends/family call you?
Käckstn or Fabi
What was your craziest cabin experience?
When lightning struck our cabin and the lightbulbs exploded.
What is your hidden talent?
Baking cakes
How do you motivate yourself if you’re listless and don’t feel like doing anything?
I take a powernap – the world looks very different afterwards!
Achensee (Austria) and anywhere there’s powder snow or a rock face.
Hometown: Pertisau am Achensee, Tyrol, Austria
Website: Fabio Keck
Julian Resch
About me
My name’s Julian, I was born in 1992 in Munich, South Germany, and I escaped to the much more beautiful city of Innsbruck, Austria, in 2012. From cycling to mountain sports...including radical changes in discipline. I enjoy drinking coffee, like granite much more than limestone, and think cracks are easier than ledges. With my background as an endurance athlete, I feel more than comfortable on long days at high altitudes, whether I’m in climbing shoes, mountain boots or ski boots. I find sitting down stressful and I like being outside, so I chose “mountain guide” as my profession!
Moritz Oberrauch about Julian Resch
Julian has lived and studied in Innsbruck, the capital of the (Eastern) Alps, for over 10 years. If he’s not hanging off some rockface or other, running up a mountain with his tongue hanging out or causing the mountain guide trainers to question their career choices, he’ll be in the workshop repairing (butchering) bikes and thinking “this is not my beautiful life”. Only one thing helps: a lot of coffee and getting back over the Brenner pass as quickly as possible into the promised land where pizza and Birra Moretti flow.
Do you sing in the shower?
No, but I do drink beer and coffee in the shower.
What is your essential pizza topping?
Everything’s okay as long as there’s no pineapple involved.
If you had to move to a different country, where would it be?
Ranking: Italy, France, Turkey
My motto
Bad or nothing!
Val di Mello
Hometown: Born in Munich, Germany, then escaped to Innsbruck, Austria.
Kathi Sandbichler
About me
I’m Kathi, 24, I’m originally from Munich and the Chiemgau area in South Germany, and I currently live in a camper. I feel most at home in Inntal, so roughly between Rosenheim in Germany and Innsbruck in Austria. I can get enthusiastic about almost anything to do with nature or the mountains, but I get most excited about skiing and climbing.
Lena Koller about Kathi Sandbichler
Kathi is consistently (over-)motivated for all mountain adventures, she always makes you laugh and she has a very... shall we say “broad” taste in music!
Words or phrases that you often say:
Gönnjamin [a person who allows themself luxuries], famos [splendid], mega [awesome], bärig [tremendous]...
The sport you enjoy watching most?
Synchronized swimming
What’s your favorite cabin treat?
Knödeltrio (trio of dumplings)
What sports did you do as a child?
Belly dancing, ballet, judo, kickboxing, horse riding, track and field. I’ve basically tried everything once.
And finally, a joke
What does it say on a diabetic’s headstone? His life was no cakewalk.
Wilder Kaiser and generally the Inntal.
Hometown: Currently by camper. If I ever settle anywhere, then probably somewhere between Kufstein and Innsbruck in Austria.
Lena Koller
About me
I’m highly motivated for almost everything, very structured when it comes to some things and then totally scatterbrained when it comes to others, and actually quite agreeable – except when I’m hungry!
Kathi Sandbichler about Lena Koller
Lena is a real allrounder and picks new things up super quickly. True to the motto “you can do everything, but you don’t have to”, you always have a great time with her in the mountains.
Do you sing in the shower?
Rarely in the shower, but often in the car.
Your nickname? What do your friends/family call you?
Don’t call me Leni.
What is your hidden talent?
Painting and playing music, maybe! Or maybe it’ll stay hidden for much longer...
How do you motivate yourself if you’re listless and don’t feel like doing anything?
Ideally not at all! Breaks are when you gather your strength :-)
My motto
In the black, there is some white. In the white, there is some black. In the wrong, there is some right. In the dark, there is some light.
Innsbruck, Söll and anywhere I’ve never been before…
Hometown: Innsbruck and Söll in Austria
Marlies Czerny
About me
Whether I’m on the rock face, in the air, in the snow or on ice – I love all the ways you can travel in the Alps and I let myself be guided by my passion and respect for nature. The fact that I, as a free alpine journalist, am able to write down the stories told by the mountains, is a gift. But when the sun shines into the camper’s windows, I’m happy to leave my to-do list until the nighttime... ;-)
Andreas Lattner about Marlies Czerny
It’s absolutely okay to try something impossible every now and again, to reach for the stars. With her seemingly limitless energy, she has no difficulty doing this – and it’s contagious! But when it comes to climbing, she might wish she was at least five centimeters taller.
Do you sing in the shower?
No, for the sake of my roommates!
What’s hidden under your bed?
All of my mountain equipment (from friends to climbing shoes, a tent and sleeping bag, through to crampons and a paraglider), 100 liters of water and some food supplies, some dirty laundry, a toolbox and everything else a household could need.
If you could only use one emoji for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
🤪
If you could bring back one fashion trend, what would it be?
Retro telephones with a rotary dial
And finally, a joke
Since I’ve just written a book with Peter Habeler, I’ll use one of his: There are two yetis. The first yeti explains to the second yeti that they’ve just met Reinhold Messner. “What?” cries the second yeti, “Messner really exists?”
The foot of the south face of the Dachstein, Val Veny and my best friend’s driveway in Windischgarsten, Austria.
Hometown: Home is where our camper is…and it loves returning Upper Austria.
Website: Marlies Czerny
Max Draeger
About me
If I’m not on my skis, it’s probably because it’s summer and I’m spending my time cycling, trail running or on some more or less spectacular ridge. Otherwise I can almost always be found behind the camera, trying to keep up with all the mountain sports maniacs.
About Fabio Keck about Max Draeger
“Still waters run deep” is definitely the phrase that fits best. Calm personified with a lot of good, sometimes hidden qualities. For all kinds of fun in the mountains and always with an extra helping of safety. Max is the partner I would want with me if anything were to go wrong in the mountains! All you need is time, and Max will have the right idea for the day.
What’s the craziest place you’ve ever bivouacked?
In the middle of nowhere in Styria, Austria – don’t ask...
What could you never do without?
Coffee
Are you driven by your head or your heart?
My head
If you had to move to a different country, where would it be?
Chamonix in France would definitely be worth an extended stay!
My motto
Live and let live!
Wherever the snow is ;)
Hometown: My adopted home: Innsbruck, Austria
Website: Max Draeger
Moritz Oberrauch
Julian Resch about Moritz Oberrauch
I met Moritz by chance when we were out ice climbing the same frozen waterfall, and then we happened to bump into each other again 2 days later in Innsbruck city center. The foundations had been laid and since then we’ve been traveling together in a style we’ve perfected over the years: disaster style! I don’t know anyone else who’s as much of a perfectionist and who simultaneously gives so few fucks. I remember our first ski tours together. Back then, he wore 120mm freeride skis, heavy boots, a proper helmet. Whereas I was on 88mm lightweight skis, with light boots and a climbing helmet. With the words: “you can’t ski in that.” Today, Moritz is on 64mm racing skis, in a tight racing suit and with a soft flask holder on his backpack. Since then he’s moved to the holy land, to Switzerland, and is pursuing his profession in glaciology, etc. so he can top it off with a doctorate!
Over the years, “hard and heavy” has successfully become “fast, light and cheap”, even if his salary has improved since then. But he still says: “sorry, I’m poor!”
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunset, I’m far too lazy to get up for the sunrise.
Your nickname? What do your friends/family call you?
Mo, Potter
Are you driven by your head or your heart?
A direct quote from David Lama: “Hear amol au, mit deine scheiß Gefühle” [don’t bug me with your frickin’ feelings].
What is your essential pizza topping?
Crudo, rucola, scaglie di grana, Tagiassca olives, pomodorini
What languages do you speak?
South Tyrolean (German), Italian, English
Val di Mello, and basically anywhere where there’s nobody else.
Hometown: South Tyrol (in Italy)
Simon Wohlgenannt
About me
Freerider. Guide. Papa. Above all I love skiing in solitary mountain regions, always on the lookout for the best snow and finest descents. Despite my passion for skiing, I’m aware that it’s an incredible luxury. That’s why it’s now just as important to me that future generations of skiers also have the chance to experience the winter the same way I do.
What’s the craziest place you’ve ever bivouacked?
On the snow-covered volcano crater in Chile.
Words or phrases that you often say:
Tipitopi [tip-top], ski good or eat wood
What’s your favorite cabin treat?
I prefer to pack a summit snack in my backpack.
If you could only use one emoji for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
How do you motivate yourself if you’re listless and don’t feel like doing anything?
Good music
Wherever there’s great snow.
Hometown: Montafon
Website: Simon Wohlgenannt