The practical parts of the course took place in the ski resort Obergurgl-Hochgurgl. Here, the participants received insight regarding technical aspects including information about how to install sound elements for example. The course further covered important standards regarding snow facility boundaries, legal backgrounds of the special facilities and useful advice concerning the efficient maintenance of the snow facilities.

Gerald Kerschhackel is one of the instructors and a Regional Manager at the Shape Academy. “It’s an important step towards quality assurance that our management employees get to know new technologies and features on the mountain right before their own projects launch. They also get the opportunity to ask questions and obtain hints about the daily handling of these elements during winter”, he explains. 

Apart from the training course in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, the Project Managers, Park Designers and Head Shapers also sat down in the Shape Academy lecture hall. This temporary educational institute was set up at the Alphotel in Innsbruck. During several theoretical lessons, the Shape Academy students got trained in the use of digital tools and were informed about daily maintenance guidelines. 

“I had the opportunity to learn a lot about the job and the upcoming challenges during the winter. The coachings, both on the mountain and the workshops in Innsbruck were very informative. So many shapers in one place, that’s probably very rare too and I was happy to meet new and old friends there!”, Marco Nadlini who is a project manager in Pejo, Italy sums up.  

The certification of all participants was a total novelty of the season 2018/19. Everyone received a certificate after completing all the practical and theoretical courses. Alongside the certificates, rookies and loyal members received a thanks in form of fresh beer and some cheers from the crowd. This was also the final part of the official program of the season kick-off. The celebration then continued with a proper party. The next day, many shape academics started their projects and they’ll ensure perfect rides in all the Funslopes, Funcross and QParks during the upcoming months.

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