Austria's "Weirdest Spring Tradition" Involves Laughably Short Skis and Sunshine

North Americans have snowblades, Austrians have Firngleiter, or Figl.



Both tend to come out in the spring. In fact, firn translates to the old snow that hangs around during the warmer months. Gleiter means glider.



Figl, like their snowblade counterparts, are tiny, with longer tips and barely any tail. Mountaineers first use them to glissade or get down the mountain in a jiffy, but skiers like Tao Kreibich also use them to screw around on the slopes of Nordkette, Austria, when spring arrives.



In a recent YouTube video, Kreibich took a look at the zany spring tradition.



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Look familiar? That's because it is.



At Palisades Tahoe, California, skiers have their own version of Figl sliding. Each spring, they gather for the Pain McShlonkey Classic, an event that honors the late, great Shane McConkey and his silly character "Saucer Boy."



The day starts with a no-holds-barred snow blade race, followed by more shenanigans all around the mountain. During the event, snow blades present an opportunity to cut loose and take skiing a little less seriously. No one, no matter how good they are, is gonna end up tumbling when they're riding miniature skis.



It's even more fun than it looks. Now, skis are expensive, so we aren't in the business of pressuring you to expand your gear closet. But if you're wondering how to add a certain je nais se quoi to your quiver, snow blades are probably the way to do it. Picking up some Figl would be better-busting out some wacky European snow blades would surely turn heads.



Personally, I'm lusting after this model Kastle sells. They come in one length, 63 centimeters, and in a handsome yellow and teal colorway.



Kreibich's adventures go beyond Figl. In his other videos, he tackles tough lines on, you know, regularly sized skis. Check out more of the action here.

Related: The Bittersweet Experience of Skiing Powder on Closing Week

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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 10:27 AM.