Exceptional Swiss Professions: Ski Jump Facility Manager Hans Tschuemperlin
Did you know that ski jumpers train on a grass hill in the summer? In order for top athletes like Simon Ammann to be able to train smoothly, the ski ramps have to be in perfect condition. This mission is carried out by the ski jump facility manager Hans Tschuemperlin in Einsiedeln, the location of the largest facility in Switzerland designed exclusively for the summer season. In an interview Hans told us what it takes to run a ski jumping resort and to keep everything in tip top shape.
Hans Tschuemperlin is a trained car mechanic. Through various further trainings, he later worked as a snow groomer mechanic and deputy technical manager in the Hoch-Ybrig ski resort. During his professional career, he has always been required to think creatively and develop innovative solutions — a skill from which he benefits in his current position as ski jump facility manager in Einsiedeln. Appropriately, he does not only have to deal with trivial questions that can be solved with a short errand to the next supermarket. Thus, when asked what would be the best training for his profession, Hans answers: “It would be best if you were a plumber, electrician, mechanic, locksmith, cable car specialist, and gardener all in one”. There is no such thing as an apprenticeship for ski jump facility manager. Most importantly, one has “to dare to approach unknown things.“
For 10 years now, Hans Tschuemperlin has been working at the ski jump resort Einsiedeln. Apart from the fact that he can usually work in the fresh air and enjoy a great view, he especially appreciates the diversity of tasks. “That’s exactly what makes it so exciting; I never do the same thing every day.” Sometimes the maintenance of the ski ramps is the main focus, on other days the upkeep of the sanitary facilities, and on other days Hans has to service the cable car. The latter is one of the most demanding tasks of his job. For the safety of the passengers, all requirements have to be strictly followed.
The job of a ski jump facility manager is more than just mowing the lawn, as some people might imagine. From the irrigation system to the lighting infrastructure, everything has to be just right to ensure that the ski ramps run smoothly. As a result of the facilities’ high standards, the four ski ramps in Einsiedeln are a National Center for ski jumping. Top athletes such as Simon Ammann (four Olympic gold medals) and Killian Peier (bronze at the World Championship) train here in the summer.
A special event in Einsiedeln every summer is the Grand Prix, where the world’s top athletes meet. These are among Hans’ highlights. He remembers in particular how the freestyle skier Fabian Boesch went down backwards on the big hill and did a backflip on landing. Likewise, Hans likes to think back to the Red Bull 400 Events (a world series of the most extreme and steepest global 400m ski jump uphill sprints) and the many other events on the ramps in Einsiedeln.
This article is part of a social media series presenting exceptional Swiss professions created by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Atlanta. Next week, learn more about the traditional watchmaking profession.
Find more pictures of Hans and his work on our Instagram account @swisscgatlanta!
Watch the video of Fabian Boesch’s jump: https://bit.ly/3hBxtNb
Check out the ski jumping resort’s crowdfunding campaign: https://ibelieveinyou.ch/de/project/307/ab-auf-die-erfolgsspur
More impressions of the ski ramps resort in Einsiedeln: https://kanal9.ch/skispringen/
