The "Böckl", a special type of snow board, is called "Skibock" in Switzerland, "Klumper" in North Tyrol and "Bockerl" in Bavaria.
It is a device that looks as if the designer could not make up his mind: Did he want to make a snow shoe or a sledge or patch up a ski? The Böckl can be worn like a snow shoe, one can sit on it like on a sledge and drive it down the slope like a ski. Steering is done by shifting one's weight and braking is done with the feet. Professionals often reach speeds of more than 100 km/h and lean so far into the bend that not a finger could fit between their hand and the ground.
Good craftsmen can even build their own Böckl. A Böckl can also be hired at many ski hire sites. Those who want to buy their own Böckl must go to an appropriate shop. Riding on a ski slope or a toboggan run is permitted for everybody.
Originally, after the end of the 2nd World War, children in the “Val Pusteria-Pustertal” valley used the Böckl to move across the snow-covered slopes and fields to get to school. It is claimed that people in Valdaora-Olang came up with the idea of building it, but there is evidence of earlier versions: The 1st patent was registered in the USA in 1914. The first Böckl world championships were held in Valdaora-Olang in 2005, and Tulfes in North Tyrol drew even by holding the first "Klumper" world championships in 2006. This old tradition is currently experiencing a unique renaissance. Böckl clubs are springing up like mushrooms in Val Pusteria-Pustertal. Valdaora-Olang alone has five of them.
Patrick Felder, a local resident, is the best Böckl driver in the world.
