Montec athlete Max Zimmermann: From the park to the peaks

Name: Max Zimmermann
Bio: Freeride Skier and former Park Rat
Age: 28
Hometown: Nürnberg, Germany
Based in: Innsbruck, Austria

From figure skating in Rosenheim to the park scene in Mayrhofen, Max Zimmermann’s journey into skiing was anything but ordinary. What started as a way to escape being the only boy on the ice soon turned into a lifelong love for the mountains.

Today, Max brings consistency and an honest love for the sport into everything he does. Whether it’s imagining that first double backflip of the season, hyping up friends on a bluebird day, or inspiring people to simply get outdoors, he sees skiing as far more than competition. It’s community, progression, and a lifestyle that’s kept him coming back year after year.

When and how did your skiing journey begin?

My mom always pushed us to try sports at a high level, so she first put me and my sister in figure skating. I hated being the only boy there and getting screamed at by the trainer, so during a family ski trip I decided to try the same tricks in the park instead.

By the time I was 10, I was riding park regularly in Mayrhofen since it was an easy train ride from our hometown of Rosenheim, near the Austrian border. I even convinced my sister Lisa to come with me, and we spent our days shredding and sending some pretty stupid and gnarly jumps. Luckily, our parents didn’t mind, and we just kept getting better. A few years later Lisa went on to win X Games and World Cups, while I never got to a pro level in park skiing. But I still think it’s super cool and inspiring to watch her.

What motivates you to keep skiing, and what makes it such an important part of your life today?

It might sound cheesy, but skiing has given me everything: an outlet for my energy and emotions, my best friends, a way to challenge myself both mentally and physically, and some of my best core memories in the most rewarding and wholesome way. I could never stop.

I still have so much I want to achieve in the ski world - competitions to enter, movies to film, mountains to ride. I’ve been skiing for years, but it still feels like I’ve only seen a small part of what’s out there.

If you could describe your perfect day on the mountain, what would it be?

Getting up at 6 a.m., driving to the mountain with my friends asleep in the back of the car, and finding out that instead of the one hour of sun in yesterday’s forecast, there are eight. Taking the gondola up and realizing that instead of 10 cm, there’s 40 cm of fresh snow. From that second on it’s just skiing the best snow ever until sunset - hiking new faces, throwing my favorite old tricks, trying new ones, and hyping everyone up all day long.

Any surprising hobbies or passions that people might not know about?

I used to be really good at wheelies on a sports enduro back in the day. Luckily I don’t do that anymore. But I did learn a lot about mechanics from riding motorcycles, and now I repair my car all by myself. I don’t really enjoy it, but it does save a lot of money. I’m also a bit of a tech nerd, and I’m really interested in politics, even though the current news landscape often just makes me sad.

How would you describe your style and expressions when it comes to skiing - what makes it unique?

I don’t really like to talk about myself like I have great style, because I’m never fully happy with it. But in competitions I’d describe my skiing as consistent in the basics. Sometimes I know I could, and should, take more risks.

What excites you most about pushing progression in skiing right now?

I don’t know if I’m the one pushing progression for the sport, but whenever people show appreciation for what I did in a competition, it reminds me what it’s all about: helping each other become the best version of ourselves. That’s also why I always try to cheer on other skiers when they push their own boundaries, whether it’s landing a new trick or facing a huge fear and overcoming it.

For me, that’s what makes progression in skiing so fascinating. It’s about watching everyone achieve small wins for themselves while the sport keeps evolving in big steps. I love being able to witness that live and feel like I’m a small part of it.

How did your connection with Montec start, and what does being part of the team mean to you?

I got connected to Montec through a mutual friend who knew the team manager. He was so enthusiastic about her and her work ethic that I immediately got excited to collaborate.

It’s rare to find a group of people this passionate about their projects and about achieving something big together. That’s what makes being part of Montec so meaningful for me. Everyone brings so much energy and drive to create products that people genuinely enjoy using on the mountain, and to share the joy of skiing with others.

Anything we missed that you’d love people to know about you or your skiing?

I’m most excited about inspiring people to get outdoors and enjoy nature. For both mental and physical health, spending time outside and being active is vital, even though most people’s lives aren’t designed to make that easy.

If I can motivate even one person to step away from a screen, get outside, and pursue a real passion, then I’m happy. I know it’s not always simple to make the time or find the resources, but it’s always worth it.

Shop Max's style

Dune Ski Jacket Men Light Grey/Black

Arch Ski Pants Men Black