With our new COLLECTION BY HAE WOMEN we are celebrating the diversity and strength of our female riders for the first time. As part of this, we are conducting interviews with inspiring personalities who share their passion for sport, nature and adventure with us. Today the focus is on Jenni Albert , who takes us into her world of snowboarding and her special connection to the mountains. She tells us how her father influenced her, what inspires her about adventures in the snow and far away, and how she lives out her creative side. Her life path shows how important it is to leave your comfort zone and follow your heart - whether it's freeriding or through creative projects.
Which moment in your life – sporting or creative – has had the greatest impact on you? What comes to mind?
I still remember the skiing holidays in Engelberg very well. Every year, thanks to my grandfather's holiday home, we had the opportunity to spend the winter in the snow. After a few years of ski school, I wanted to switch to snowboarding - mainly because of my father, who claimed to have always been a "boarder". I can still see his old F2 board with hard boots in front of me and his bright yellow Barryvox, which didn't have a display back then. His style inspired me and I wanted to be as cool as him. While I was at the snowboard school in Gerschnialp, he often went freeriding. His favorite slope was "z Steibergli" or the "Laub" in Engelberg. I could watch him from class when he returned from the powder snow. These holidays in the mountains had a big impact on me. Since my father died a few years ago, the mountains have been a special connection to him for me.
What does adventure mean to you and how does it influence your creative side?
For me, adventure means letting go of the familiar and taking the step into the unknown. In the summer of 2023, I spontaneously decided to travel to New Zealand to work as a snow sports instructor. Without knowing anyone, I moved into a shared apartment with strangers and many good friendships developed. The culture in New Zealand was particularly inspiring for me. Nature has a different significance for the Māori than it does for us; they believe that the mountain has a soul and that people and nature should live in harmony. Nature speaks to them and imparts knowledge to them. This new perspective on everyday life and life is a source of creativity for me. After all, creativity thrives on different perspectives.
Where do you get your creative inspiration from – whether on the mountain, at sea or in everyday life?
My inspiration is a mixture of everyday life and the mountains. I am always fascinated by the contrast between the orderly everyday life and the rugged landscape of the mountains. I find the combination of danger and security that I feel at home on the sofa exciting. When I sit on the chairlift, I enjoy observing my surroundings and pausing for a few minutes.
How is your personality reflected in your style on and off the board as well as in your creativity?
In everyday life, I often notice that I like to be in control and worry about what other people think of me. On the snow, I can let go and worry less - or at least try to. You can probably tell by my riding style: some days everything goes perfectly, others nothing works at all. That's just part of it, isn't it? My goal for the coming season is to brake less!
What makes you particularly proud of what you have achieved – athletically and/or creatively? This can also be professionally.
I am simply grateful that I have been able to experience so much at the age of 23, and in many areas. My passion is now my job. After graduating from high school, I didn't want to go to university straight away, but wanted to change my environment completely and moved to Davos for my first season as a snowboard instructor. At the time, snowboarding was just a break for me before studying. But during the season, that changed completely and I didn't want to do anything else. Today, a few years later, I have found the perfect balance between practice and theory with my part-time job in the snowboard industry and part-time studies. I never thought I could turn my passion into a job. For me, snowboarders were always the "cool" ones on the mountain, and now working in this community is a real highlight. I grew up in Aargau, without mountains on my doorstep, and now I live close to the ski areas, almost where other people go on holiday. I am proud of that and very grateful. I also spend a lot of time in the snow as a J+S expert and at freeride competitions. The competitions gave me access to freeriding, which was previously unthinkable for me. Today I know how to respect off-piste terrain and how to handle it safely. Through the competitions I learned how important it is to leave your comfort zone.
Jenni also likes the thrill of freeride contests. Photo by Hugo Schleicher
Is there a special woman, friend, artist or athlete who inspired you to follow your own path?
In my first season as a snowboard instructor, I met a lot of great people. I was particularly inspired by Katie Erdin, my team leader at the snow sports school in Davos. She encouraged us to sign up for the training courses and always pushed us, including through extra training sessions. With her, there was never a "you can't do it" - I found that extremely encouraging. Under her leadership, the snow sports school became like a second family and I learned that it's okay to wear a beanie all year round. Without Katie, I wouldn't be where I am today. Thank you, Katie!
How do you inspire other people (everyone, not just women) to follow their own path – be it through snowboarding, creative projects or simply in everyday life?
I think sharing is important to inspire others in a conversation. Sometimes it's difficult to go your own way because you worry a lot about what others think or you don't feel good enough - be it for a job, a tour or another goal. I try to show all the great opportunities you have to achieve something and that you should do it with joy and fun.
What does it mean to you to be part of the “Collection by HAE Women” and how did you bring your creativity into this project?
Being part of the project with Celia, Daria, Elena and Léa is incredible. Each of us brings our own inspiration and individual story and I think the "Collection by HAE Women" represents diversity as we all come from different backgrounds. The different beanies created in collaboration with HAE represent our different paths well. What unites us is the passion for winter sports - and that's what matters!
