A day in the life of the Bike Patrol

From lift operator to bike rescuer: Moritz's path to the Bike Patrol

Moritz was born in Germany, but has felt at home in the mountains from an early age. He has been at home in Austria for ten years now and finally moved to Saalbach Hinterglemm in January 2022. This is how he began his career as a classic “lift operator” in winter. As Moritz is a passionate mountain biker, it quickly became clear that he wanted to move his workplace to the mountains in summer too. As luck would have it, he became part of the Bike Patrol in Saalbach Hinterglemm in summer. This is now his fourth summer as a member of the team on the Schattberg. “For me, the X-Line is simply the very best line in the whole area, which is why I like the Schattberg so much,” Moritz explains to me with a big grin on his face. 

The varied tasks of the Bike Patrol

A typical working day for Moritz starts at 07:00 with the gondola ride up to the Schattberg mountain station. He now has two hours until the first hikers and bikers storm up the mountain. “During this time, I always do my first tour and make sure that everything around the mountain station is in order. If necessary, I also help with maintenance work. I also collect garbage from the previous day so that our mountain stays clean,” he explains his start to the day. In between, he also helps the lift staff in the garages until 9 a.m. and even helps with preparatory work for winter operations.

As soon as the first gondola leaves the valley station at 09:00, Moritz switches on his radio and is therefore always on call. If you're expecting the members of the Bike Patrol to sit around the mountain station all day drinking coffee and waiting to be called out, you'd be wrong. 

Because Moritz is a real all-rounder: he looks after the guests, fills up flyers from time to time and always makes sure that everything stays clean. Of course, Moritz is also the best person to talk to about secret trail tips. As he knows the mountain like the back of his hand, he even gives the best hiking tips, which are much appreciated by guests. He also relieves his colleagues at the gondola from time to time so that they can take their lunch break in peace. “The most important thing for me is the cooperation within the team,” he emphasizes. 

Our conversation is briefly interrupted from time to time. Someone needs help lifting something off a tractor. “I'll be right back, of course that's part of my job,” says Moritz with a wink, before disappearing for a few minutes. In the meantime, I enjoy the view at an altitude of 2,020 meters and look out over the surrounding mountains. Moritz is right, his workplace really is a dream. 

“I don't think anyone likes riding the X-Line as much as I do”

When Moritz returns to me, it's soon time for his first test ride. “I always really enjoy them too! I don't think anyone enjoys riding the X-Line as much as I do,” Moritz enthuses. Depending on how many people are on the mountain, he does a total of two to three check rides a day to make sure that everything is in perfect order on the trails. 

As I sit in the sun with Moritz and chat about his work, people who know him keep coming by. After all, he can be found here five days a week as an integral part of the team. Moritz also meets up with an old acquaintance during my visit - he helped him with a minor injury just a few days ago. The biker tells Moritz that luckily nothing bad happened to him, then gets back on his bike and rides off towards the X-Line. 

Moritz is also delighted with his equipment, which is provided to all members of the Bike Patrol. He not only rides his regularly maintained TREK Slash Enduro bike during working hours, but is also allowed to use it in his free time. “As a passionate biker, I couldn't imagine anything better!” says Moritz, grateful for this privilege.

Helmets and protectors in eye-catching colors, provided by the POC brand, ensure safety and good visibility on the bike. “It's particularly important for the Bike Patrol to be clearly visible to everyone. Of course, our own protection also comes first. With our top equipment, you no longer have to worry about such things,” Moritz explains. To look really good at work, the Bike Patrol wears Maloja clothing. They are equipped with stylish and functional T-shirts, longsleeves, jackets and pants in a lovingly created Bike Patrol design. 

The day on the mountain comes to an end

A normal working day in the life of the Bike Patrol ends at 17:00. In preparation for the end of his shift, Moritz closes the bike trails at 4:30 p.m. and then sets off on his last patrol ride of the day. On the way down, he keeps an eye out for bikers or hikers who are still on the mountain. He wants to make them aware that the lifts are now closing and the Bike Patrol will soon no longer be on duty. 

Once at the bottom, he stows his things away and makes his way home. Every now and then, of course, he enjoys an after-work beer with his colleagues. The next morning, he heads back to his favorite mountain at 7 a.m. on the dot. No two days are the same, which is another thing Moritz particularly appreciates about his job as part of the Bike Patrol. 

So if you're out and about on the Schattberg this summer, say hello to Moritz, he'll be delighted! ?