For most 19-year-olds, life is about finding your path. For Austrian snowboarder Lion Hammerschmidt, that path winds sharply down icy slopes at full speed. As part of the Austrian national snowboarding team’s B squad, Lion has already achieved what many only dream of — competing in the Junior World Championships, the Youth Olympic Games, and his first World Cup race — yet his ambitions stretch much further.
“I started snowboarding when I was five or six,” he says. “My mother sent me to a snowboard camp during the Christmas holidays, and that’s where someone first saw talent in me. From there, everything started to grow.”
Raised by his mother, Lion’s childhood revolved around curiosity, independence, and the mountains. What began as a way to fill winter holidays soon became a full-time pursuit, leading him to a specialised winter sports school in Schladming. Today, he balances the demanding life of an elite athlete with the responsibilities of finishing school — a challenge that requires equal parts focus and discipline.
“Sometimes it’s not easy,” he admits. “In winter we’re always travelling for training and competitions, and in summer we have to fit in all the schoolwork and tests. The days are long, but it’s worth it.”
Lion’s days start early — breakfast before sunrise, hours on the mountain perfecting his technique, and afternoons spent on conditioning or equipment preparation. “Some of my teammates get their boards prepped by our coaches,” he says, “but I love doing it myself. I want to know exactly how my board feels — how sharp it is, how it reacts.”
That attention to detail carries into his mental preparation as well. Lion places a lot of value on visualisation, staying calm, and keeping his goals clear in his mind. “You need to know what you want and see it in front of you,” he explains. “The longer I do this sport, the easier it becomes to understand what I need to do and when.”
“I started using Eqology products like the Pure Arctic Oil and Vitamin K2+D3, and I really noticed a difference,” he says. “I feel healthier, and I feel that my brain works better. It’s easier for me to learn and stay focused — especially during school.”
For an athlete juggling both education and elite competition, that balance is key. Lion sees nutrition as an investment in longevity: “I know if the nutrition is good, it’s easier to compete. The mind is clearer, and the body is healthier — it helps me stay strong for many years.”
Despite his young age, Lion’s goals are already crystal clear. He dreams of representing Austria at the Olympic Games and achieving strong results on the World Cup circuit. His dedication to training, his calm determination, and his grounded perspective all point toward a long and promising future.
“Of course, winning a medal at the Olympics would be amazing,” he says with a smile. “But I also want to enjoy the journey — seeing the world, racing on the glaciers, and doing what I love every day. Not many people get to do that.”
As he continues carving his path on snow-covered slopes around the world, one thing is certain: Lion Hammerschmidt is not just chasing medals — he’s shaping a career built on passion, perseverance, and purpose.
