About our collaboration with Ride and K2
For the upcoming season, Reverse teamed up with K2 and Ride snowboards in order to offer a 360-degree view of the multiple sport options in the mountains. No matter the terrain or conditions, our mission is to deliver a monthly article following Swiss athletes through parks, backcountry and streets.

Introducing Matthias Wattinger

When we think of Laax , the first thing that comes to mind is the incredible park. For years, the resort has been expanding its freestyle area. Currently it is considered one of the best playgrounds around the globe. In order to discover what it really takes to build and take care of such a heavenly place, Matthias Wattinger gave us the chance to follow him behind the scenes of the p60.

I remember your first years of shredding on the hills, we were riding in Wengen. What made you stick to your board and decided to enter the riding scene?
Back in the days when I was still skiing, I used to watch all the guys shredding with their boards.
Suddenly I told myself: “Dude, I wanna be cool like those kids!” and not long after I started snowboarding.
Standing sideways has always been lots of fun; that is why I decided to join the shaper team. I’ve been in Laax for four years now, sharing the time of my life with my boys.

It comes to see you often destroying park features: Kickers, rails and the pipes. What’s your attitude toward riding different things?
Basically I enjoy both. Depending on the day I pick up what I like more in that moment. I take it as it comes, even if it is a two-hundred-meter long and icy kicker or rail and I’m feeling it, I will hit it. Beside park features, pow days also put a big smile on my face.

Does being a shaper affect your relationship with snowboarding?
Although this is my fourth year as a shaper, I’m still loving it: the snow, riding, the mountains… Shaping has always affected my riding in positive ways and being surrounded by good people at the snowpark in Laax keeps me a happy man. So, all good!

Who influenced your way of riding? Who played a central role in your snowboarding career?
First of all: my homies, who I am always sharing laps with. They keep me inspired and push me to the next level. I also spend lot of time watching different edits online that get me stoked to go out and try hardcore tricks.
I’m actually as stoked on skating as I am on snowboarding. At the end of the cold season I get very excited to leave the long board to ride concrete. And at the end of summer, I’m rushing to getting back on the frozen water.

K2 snowboards warmly welcomed you to the team. How does it feel to be supported in your personal projects?
It is awesome, I am really thankful for the opportunity they gave me! Special thanks to Böni for sending me all the boards, boots and bindings. For this year, I don’t have any special plans or projects going on, just cruising and working.

3 Pros of being shaper?
• Very nice sunsets and sunrises
• First chair and last-call guy everyday
• You know everything about the mountains (forecast wisdom, park status and so on)

3 cons of being shaper?
• Unfreezing the rails from the storage
• Digging out the features after heavy dumps while your friends are riding pow!
• Shoveling the pissing bully’s oil on the superpipe (inside story)

Shaping is an art for patient people. Enjoy, and be respectful in the parks out there! Nothing comes for free.

See ya up in the p60!
Cheers,
Nicki & Ale

Filming: Nicole Antognini & Blume
Editing: Nicole Antognini
Pictures: Nicole Antognini
Text: Alessandro Pellanda
Location: Laax, Switzerland
Thanks to: K2 snowboard and Laax ski resort