Fabian, your new film ‘A foreign native’ is showing at the Banff Mountain Film Festival – how did you come up with the name?

Over the last 10 years or so, my pro skiing has taken me to various countries on filming projects, but only ever for a short time. It was really exciting, but somehow, I felt like I needed a new challenge. One of these trips was to Iran and I instantly fell in love with the country. The culture, the language and the incredible freeriding opportunities were intoxicating. And so, I decided to go back there and spend a longer period of time in the country. I wanted to establish myself there, learn the language, and see if I could shed the perception of me as a tourist, and gradually be seen as more of a local. So the film name reflects that idea.

Exotic mountain locations are really popular in the free ski scene. What made you think of Iran as a destination? And how long were you there?

About ten years ago, I set off from Innsbruck in an old motorhome with two friends and we drove to Kyrgyzstan. And Iran was one of the countries we drove through. Before going there, I knew next to nothing about Iran, but even in that short period we were there, it was so captivating that I’ve been back regularly ever since, and then I ended up spending a whole year living there.

Previously, during your pro riding days on the Freeride World Tour or appearing in ski films like “Snowmads”, it was all about chasing the powder and living the cool life of a free skier. So, does ‘A foreign native’ have a different vibe?

I’ve always been interested in other countries and societies, even if there was very little time for that on filming trips in the middle of the season. And it was the same in Iran during the first trips – it was all about the snow and the lines. But this time we filmed for a full six months. Spending such a long time there meant we had time to experience more than the powder and the lines, and to capture those aspects on film. And we also documented the process by which I became more of a local.

What’s your motivation for exploring new things in life?

It’s just that really – the new experiences that are open to you.

Iran is usually portrayed as a political and social adversary in the West. What was your impression of the Iranian people?

Iranians are the warmest most welcoming people that I’ve ever known. Politically, you can take a stand on the country one way or another. But as is so often the case, life on the ground is very different to the country’s politics. What I find most inspiring about them, is the zest for life that most Iranians demonstrate. It almost seems like it’s as a direct result of living with such strict rules, political instability, inflation etc. that they live each day to the full.

What did you learn about yourself on that trip to Iran?

That anything is possible, if I use my time well and bring plenty of energy and motivation to bear. Learning Farsi was pretty difficult, but the access that it gave me to the local people was definitely worth it. And now, I can well imagine learning other languages and gaining a deeper connection to other cultures.

What effect did your trip to Iran have on your life? What does your life look like now in winter 2022?

The trip changed my perspective on life, and our relationships with other cultures and on what home really means. Those are all conceptual changes. But practically speaking, the trip had other effects too: Over one and a half years later, my truck is still stuck in customs in Iran. Which means that for the current film I’m working on in the Balkans, the film crew and I are living in a VW California. Moving about in such a small van can be tricky. So I’m living out of bags at the moment, as they say.

Being away for a whole year… what did you have with you? How many bags and backpacks did you take?

There was quite a lot of stuff for such a long trip. I had all my ski stuff, biking stuff, paragliding kit, and freediving equipment with me. Then there was your everyday gear, too. And a collection of small daypacks, ski backpacks, big trekking backpacks (so we could carry all the gear to set up winter camps), dry bags (to keep wet stuff away from dry stuff) duffel bags and hiking backpacks etc.

What do you look for in a ski backpack on longer touring trips?

I’m a big fan of lightweight backpacks that can still take a beating. On longer trips, or if I’m spending a few nights in the mountains, I need to be able to depend on my gear – especially my ski backpack. It needs to fit well on my back, shrug off moisture, have plenty of attachment options for skis and other gear, and offer quick and easy access to key compartments. That’s what I like about the deuter Freescape Light which is my go-to ski touring backpack at the moment.

Where to next? Have you got any plans?

My original plan was to live in the Snowmads truck for a few years and gradually make my way eastward until I hit the Himalayas. But with the truck stuck in customs, all my plans are up in the air a bit. But I’m confident I’ll get the truck back in the coming months, so I just have to make the best of it until then.