Everyone in LAAX knows "6 metr petr!" because Petr Neveceral, 28, from Czechia, was the face of LAAX for months, hanging six meters high on a poster above the Riders Palace. He emigrated from Czechia to LAAX over eight years ago to shred the best snow parks in Europe. But who would have thought that today's snowboard instructor, Freestyle Academy coach, and trail builder started his career as a ski jumper?
Petr, what did you do before you came to LAAX?
I grew up near a ski resort in Czechia and started skiing at an early age. I started ski jumping at the age of seven, or rather Nordic combined ski jumping and cross-country skiing. By the age of twelve, I was already able to jump the 90-meter hill. However, shortly afterwards, I had a serious accident at 80 km/h on the approach. I recovered slowly from the accident and was glad to have survived. A fall like that can also be fatal. After the accident, I concentrated solely on cross-country skiing. My performance kept improving and I was even allowed to attend a sports high school. At school, I switched to snowboarding and was soon able to compete in several slopestyle junior contests in Czechia. My passion for snowboarding ultimately brought me to LAAX.
When was your first time in LAAX, and why did you choose to come here specifically?
A friend of mine organized a snowboard camp in Arosa and asked me to be a coach for jib lessons. I already knew LAAX because every snowboard magazine was writing about it at the time due to the Burton European Open. That's why I really wanted to spend a week's vacation in LAAX after the camp. In Czechia, LAAX is well known for having the most impressive snow park in Europe. So, in April 2007, I came to LAAX for a week and it snowed half a meter every day. It was absolutely amazing – I knew immediately that I had to stay here! In my final year at sports high school, I had already bought the LAAX season lift ticket and was always commuting back and forth. In the summer of 2009, I went to Zurich, where I worked on a farm and learned German. Back in Czechia, I started studying to become a sports teacher, but I dropped out after a few weeks due to a meniscus injury.
And then I made my decision:I'm going to LAAX! I was in crisis and just wanted to get away, even though I was still injured at the time. With a lot of luck, I found a job as an all-rounder at the Foppa mountain inn and was even allowed to stay after the winter season.
How long have you been in LAAX now?
For over eight years. I have been working in the destination since 2009 and, after working at the Foppa mountain inn, I worked in horticulture in Ilanz and as a snowboard instructor in winter. Thanks to my horticultural experience, I was then hired for the TREK Runcatrail conversion to expand the trail and have now had a permanent position with the Weisse Arena Group for over four years. So I was in the right place at the right time. Otherwise, I might not be here anymore.
Was it difficult to leave Czechia?
No, I always wanted to go abroad, but I was thinking more about Canada or America because of the language, as English was easier for me. I had already had four years of German lessons in high school. But since my German improved even more during my summer job on a farm in Zurich, this was the perfect prerequisite for LAAX. Besides, it only takes me eight hours to drive back home to Czechia. Nevertheless, it was a big adventure to emigrate at the age of 20, to a foreign country, and to be responsible for myself and my finances. I was nervous! Fortunately, I quickly got to know the locals and found my feet.
What are your plans for the future?
Last winter(2016/17), I completed my training as technical director for the snowboard school. This coming winter, I will probably be able to take on additional responsibilities for the practical training of snowboard instructors. I definitely want to stay here for a long time to come.
