More than just a day on the slopes, a real step up on the mountain
Ride & Learn with Pat Burgener
Last Wednesday was one of those days you look forward to well in advance.
Everyone knew what was in store.
Ride & Learn with Pat Burgener.
And that’s exactly why the atmosphere was already special when we met in the lobby of Peaks Place. Boards ready, boots laced up, first conversations about what we hoped to get out of the day.
Maybe finally riding over a box with confidence and daring to take a jump in the halfpipe. Maybe getting more flow.
Or simply spending time with someone you usually only know from videos.
What follows isn’t a typical day of skiing.
It’s a day when you realize how quickly you can improve when the setup, the environment, and the people are just right.
And that’s exactly what makes experiences like this possible at Peaks Place.
The Day in Detail
World-class experience
Pat Burgener
Pat Burgener has been a member of the international snowboarding elite for years.
He is a multiple Olympian and has competed in World Cups and major events around the world. He has made a name for himself particularly in the halfpipe.
In addition to competing, he is active as a musician and brings this very blend of performance and passion to his coaching sessions.
Let’s get started together at Peaks Place
Arrive & Connect
The day begins where everything comes together: in the lobby of Peaks Place.
We don’t really know each other yet, but that changes quickly.
A brief round of introductions, initial conversations, a shared goal.
Then we head straight out: We take the Peaks Place ski shuttle to the mountain railways, hop on the gondola, and slowly leave the valley behind us.
By now, it’s clear: Here we go.
Understanding where everyone stands
Warm-up Runs
Once you reach the top, there’s no time to waste.
The first runs are kept simple on purpose. This is where the basics are reinforced: clean turns, better control, and a better feel for the board.
Pat demonstrates, explains, and corrects.
And suddenly, the movements feel different. Smoother. More confident.
You realize: progress doesn’t start in the park, it starts here.
Build confidence, push boundaries
Snowpark Beginner
The atmosphere is changing at the Beginner Snowpark on Crap Sogn Gion.
Now it’s time to give it a try.
With each run, confidence grows.
The first runs over boxes, more speed, more commitment.
What took some effort at first becomes second nature, step by step.
And this is exactly where something crucial happens:
The participants dare to do more than they would have thought possible that morning.
Experience the Halfpipe in Flims Laax
The big beast
Finally, it’s time for the halfpipe.
The first drop takes some courage. The first runs are still cautious. Pat watches closely and offers immediate feedback: more power on the takeoff, better timing, stay more compact.
And suddenly it happens. The first small jumps are nailed. Some go higher, others find their flow.
It gets cleaner with each run.
Not perfect, but clearly better than at the start.
Growing Together
What makes this day special
In the end, it’s not just about tricks or technique. It’s the feeling of having taken a step forward. Together with others who want exactly the same thing.
A day when you dared to do more than usual. Tried more things and realized what’s possible.
At Peaks Place, you have the starting point for that. The right people, the right opportunities, and the chance to be a part of it.
The only question is:
Will you be there next time?
