What impact did the partial lockdown have on the mountain bike guides?
At first, the lockdown was a shock. In fact, it meant a ban on work. Spring is the time when many riding technique courses are booked. This part was completely canceled. In addition, nobody knew what we could do now, whether we would receive financial support and from whom. It was easiest for those who are employed by a bike school. They were on short-time working like so many other employees in Switzerland. But most guides are self-employed. Although the majority have another mainstay, this could also be affected by the lockdown.

How have you come to terms with the situation?
On the one hand, Swiss Cycling did an exceptionally good job and quickly showed us that we would not be let down. We also teamed up with the mountain guide association. The mountain guides were in the same situation. We informed each other when we found out something and we worked together to defend our interests.

How were the self-employed bike guides supported?
They received compensation payments from the income compensation scheme according to their AHV-liable income from guiding.

The first easing came at the beginning of May. How did they affect your business?
In the beginning, only groups of four guests and one guide were allowed. But from then on, business went like gangbusters. I know guides who worked through the first 50 to 60 days after the lockdown. Bike rental companies could increase their fleet tenfold - which is not possible - and still have all the bikes out.

Is it going equally well everywhere?
People don't come to the Engadin in spring. The guides in the lowlands in particular had more work than ever before. I even led a tour on the Bachtel in the Zurich Oberland. I never expected that I would ever work in such a place. But now it's working everywhere in Switzerland. And I also know from Massa Vecchia and South Tyrol that there are a lot of bookings there.

How has your work changed?
It's more difficult for me because I have a special profile. On the one hand, I specialize in multi-day tours with international guests. These tours were all canceled due to Covid-19. I was able to compensate for this with private guiding and coaching with Swiss and regular guests.

You are also regularly involved in media productions as a guide or performer. How is it going there?
In tourism in particular, there was a state of shock after the declaration of the extraordinary situation. Most of the projects I was involved in were canceled, reduced to a minimum or postponed indefinitely. Now I'm doing a lot more small things. But the photographers and filmmakers also have new projects. In the meantime, many things are being taken up again and even new things are being developed.

Will the crisis also be a season of records for the guides? It looks that way for Switzerland-oriented guides. Those who previously earned their income abroad or from foreign guests will have to make a change and may suffer a loss. But never before have so many riding technique courses been booked as this year. People are discovering mountain biking and realizing that they have not mastered it. Individual riding technique training is also booming. People are putting their money where their mouth is to have a guide help them ride their home trails better.

Are people sensible enough to hire a guide if their riding skills aren't good enough to ride in the mountains?
Not all of them. I see a lot of people in the mountains who don't have the level. I've come across some of them biking - adults and families - where I thought: "If only this goes well!"

What lessons have you learned from the corona period?
It became clear how important it is to have a broad base and not just back one horse. I've taken a lot from that. Personally, I enjoyed the lockdown period after the initial shock. Our daughter turned a year old during this time and I had more family time than ever before. I don't really want to go back to Rush. But of course I'm glad that I have enough work.