Nadine
Wallner
Austria
·
Freeskiing
Date of birth | 15 May 1989 |
|---|---|
Place of birth | Klösterle, Austria |
Age | 36 |
Nationality | Austria |
Career start | 2013 |
Disciplines | Freeskiing Big Mountain/Freeride / Climbing Lead |
Skiing star Nadine Wallner first took to the slopes when she was just three years old. Those first few encounters in Arlberg – near her Austrian hometown of Klösterle – had a lasting impression. The young Austrian grew to feel more at home rocking the skies above the mountains than anywhere else in the world.
She has been competing in freeride since 2011 and her natural talent and sheer determination saw her eventually grab the 2013 Freeride World Tour title. She began her ski career as a racer but, with her father working as a mountain tour guide, she had easy access to unexplored mountain territories, where she could test her skills and experience in “nature without limits”.
For Wallner, it was – and continues to be – the ultimate expression of freedom. Having completed her ski instructor qualification, she hung up her racing boots for good, and dedicated herself to freeride.
She has since become well acquainted with podium places at FWT freeride events, becoming Freeride World Tour Champion again in 2014. In 2015, she took an unforgettable trekking, climbing and skiing tour of Peru, taking in the sights and sounds of the natural landscapes, including the likes of the 6,036m-high Quitaraju.
Injuries eventually brought an end to Wallner's freeride career, but she still loves to strap on her skis and continues to pursue her new passion, which is climbing. Her long arms make her excel as a climber. The upper-body stability she gets from climbing naturally benefits her when skiing.
In 2023, Wallner travelled to El Chaltén, Argentina. The following year, she tackled five of the most challenging big mountain lines in her 'backyard' of Arlberg, Austria, in just one day.
Nadine Wallner prepares for the Vertical Jungfrau Marathon
© Tim Marcour/Red Bull Content Pool
Freeride genius Nadine Wallner in search of the perfect line
© Pato Diaz/Red Bull Content Pool
Nadine Wallner scales the Patagonia cliff face
© Pato Diaz/Red Bull Content Pool
Nadine Wallner draws her line in the untouched snow
© Christoph Johann/MKM