From powdered sugar to powder snow
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The day begins quietly.
The sun has barely risen above the ridge when the freshly groomed slopes begin to shimmer like a silent sea of snow crystals. The wind whistles through the mountain station at Saanersloch – otherwise, all is still high up on the mountain. Down at the valley station, the day slowly begins to unfold: it’s a quiet start for Veronika, and yet there’s a sense of anticipation in the air.
For twelve years now, she has been part of mountain life as a ski patroller with the Gstaad mountain lifts. The snow crunches beneath her ski boots as she begins her workday like every other – calmly and deliberately, guided by care and composure.
Structure in the Snow
The start of the day follows a well-rehearsed ritual. Signage, radio, emergency backpack—a brief moment of inner focus. Everything has to be just right. Then: the gondola, the ride up the mountain, the wide-open view. That first glance at the panorama is a small gift every single time. But the peace doesn’t last long. Once at the top, the first patrol run begins.
Veronika is responsible for safety on the slopes: she checks safety nets, secures protective padding, and adjusts signs. Along the way, she often reflects on life itself. Sometimes the path leads right, sometimes left. Sometimes the slope splits, and a new route appears.
Before her time in the snow, she worked as a confectioner. A flour allergy forced the trained baker to pursue an additional qualification in confectionery. Today, instead of tracing lines in sugar, she draws them in powder snow. And yet, she still finds a way to sweeten the day for many winter sports enthusiasts on the slopes.
Pastries for Team Spirit
In the break room at the mountain station, just next to the igloo village, a few team members gather during the day between their outdoor shifts in the fresh mountain air. It’s where the aroma of coffee lingers, plans are made, and brief pauses are shared. There’s always time for a quick chat. Sometimes, Veronika brings homemade cookies—small gestures of warmth on cold winter days. It’s not a loud statement, but her quiet presence brings the team together in these calm, unhurried moments. Friendly, reliable, helpful—these are the values the team holds dear, both on and off the slopes, along with mutual respect.
When every minute counts
Suddenly, the radio beeps! An emergency—just a few hundred meters below the mountain station: a skier has fallen and remains on the ground. Veronika quickly sets off with the rescue sled. In her backpack, she carries the essential tools needed for any emergency. Her movements are focused, her gaze alert. There’s no panic—just calm determination. Her priority is clear: get the injured guest out of the danger zone and coordinate the rescue. It soon becomes evident: air rescue will be needed. While waiting for the helicopter, Veronika begins first aid—calmly and with compassion. With just a few words and her empathetic presence, she manages to reassure the patient until the Rega helicopter team arrives at the scene.
Time to slow down
After the rescue, she writes her report on the gondola ride back to the mountain station. As the cabin glides through the gentle snowy landscape, Veronika feels grounded again—especially after dramatic moments. She takes her time before the next call comes in. With her camera, she captures scenes—not for likes, but for the soul. Photography, alongside baking, is her great passion: snow dancing in the backlight. A breeze setting a safety net in motion. And sometimes a cookie—placed on a slope sign and photographed with a wink. Small things, big impact.
As the day winds down and the shadows grow longer, she returns to the mountain station. A sip of tea, one last glance across the panorama, a cookie for the afternoon break: it's a quiet moment, but not a lonely one. The skiers on the slopes, the landscape, the light—all of it comes together like a picture.
Veronika’s story isn’t loud. But it lingers—and reveals what true care means. Between rescue and respect, camaraderie and concentration: the magic of everyday life is so much more than routine.
A day like snow: fleeting—yet lasting in memory.