Veit Angerer

Cross-country skiing visionary

Veit Angerer initiated nordic³, which brought together all the cross-country ski trails in the Venosta Valley into a single network. The concept was inspired by the existing Ortler Skiarena, and Angerer aimed to create a similar concept for cross-country skiers. The inclusion of Val Müstair, an area that is particularly close to his heart, was a key aspect of his idea. Veit, a coach at the sports high school, spends a significant amount of time training with his students in Val Müstair

The integration of Val Müstair and Engadin Scuol Zernet into nordic³ offers a wide range of trails that appeal to both beginners and advanced cross-country skiers, further increasing the attractiveness of Nordic skiing in the region.

Nordic³

Nordic³ is a cross-country skiing network that includes seven areas across three countries, offering a total of 135 kilometers of trails. Despite the diverse panoramic, high-altitude, and forest trails, all areas share the idyllic solitude of the surrounding forests, making Nordic winter sports a unique individual sporting experience in the fresh mountain air.

Nordic³ offers cross-country skiers of all levels, whether classic or skating, trails to suit their needs. A single ticket, whether for the season, a week or just a day, gives access to all 135 kilometres of trails in three countries.

Veit states that the integration of nordic³ in the region provides visitors with several benefits. They can now explore the cross-country ski trails in Val Venosta, which are characterized by more challenging differences in altitude. Additionally, beginners can do longer laps without steep descents in Val Müstair. According to Veit, the best trails for beginners are located within the Venosta Nordic network in Val Müstair.

Another advantage of nordic³ is its practical map, which enables visitors to choose their routes as they wish. This flexibility also makes it easy for them to meet at different points on the trails. This integration provides visitors from the Venosta Valley with the opportunity to discover Val Müstair as an attractive destination, experience it first-hand, and possibly consider it as a potential travel destination in the future. The integration of nordic³ into the region expands the range of cross-country skiing options and promotes interregional exchange. This offers visitors a varied and enriching experience.

Veit the cross country promoter

In the Lower Engadine, it is possible to combine competitive sports with the school program at the High Alpine Institute in Ftan. In this way, gifted sports talents can be supported and encouraged in their development. Not all students who successfully complete the admission process end up becoming professional athletes. However, learning self-discipline, perseverance and endurance is also of enormous importance in professional life outside of top-level sports - especially in today's competitive society.

Such schooling is also offered in the neighboring Vinschgau Valley at the Mals High School Center. Veit Angerer is the full-time head of cross-country skiing and biathlon at the school. For years, he has been passionate about training and promoting students in the sports of cross-country skiing and biathlon.

Veit highly values the cross-country skiing area in Val Müstair as a training ground for his athletes. The Val Müstair trail network offers training opportunities for every cross-country skiing challenge, especially around the Fuldera cross-country skiing center up to Tschierv on the former Tour de Ski trail. In addition to the excellent preparation, Veit also appreciates the altitude, which often allows for late-season trail use. This is especially important for Veit's students, as they can find optimal conditions for extended endurance training in the lower heart rate range without having to overcome significant altitude differences.

Veit as former race director of the Tour de Ski

Alternating with Lenzerheide, Val Müstair was the venue for the «Tour de Ski» cross-country skiing series every two years. Veit Angerer also put his heart and soul into the last edition in Val Müstair, which took place on December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2023, and successfully managed the competition as race director. Since the first edition in 2013, Veit was gripped by Tour de Ski fever and it was impossible to imagine the event without him. Together with the last OC President Guido Mittner, he has continuously worked on the further development of the race routes and ensured the sporting execution.

In the 22/23 season, the traditional 700m sprint course on the first day of the race, December 31, once again provided some spectacular moments. On the second day of the race, New Year's Day, a long-distance race over 10 km was held using the classic technique.

The steep ascent, the rapid descent and the notorious camel humps presented sporting challenges and ensured excitement right up to the last bend. With these design elements, Veit intended to offer exciting competitions with international appeal.

Video, Image: Peak Frames, Andrea Badrutt
Text: Tobias Cueni, Victoria Ellmer