Viona Wang Shares Her Alpine Adventure Through Skiing, Surfing, and the Austrian Slopes
- Unique Wisdom
- May 1, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 14, 2025
Based in St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria, Viona Wang redefined adventure not through extreme change, but through perspective. By embracing seasonal rhythms, cultural differences, and personal transformation, she found new dimensions of joy. Her journey encourages us to see that the greatest adventures often arise from within.
I have been living in St. Anton am Arlberg for 10 years, where my husband and I run our own ski travel agency. I met my husband, an Austrian ski and snowboard guide, while working at the same ski resort in New Zealand, and we decided to settle down in St. Anton.
Since junior college, I’ve traveled extensively and lived in Sweden during my university student exchange program. Being so close to nature and living in the Alpine countryside has made me appreciate the slower pace of life and the mundane yet special moments I spend with my family.
I stay connected with my family and friends back home by sharing photos and videos regularly. I also follow various local news channels to stay updated on Singapore’s current affairs. Most importantly, I constantly stock up on local pre-mixes and snacks whenever I fly home or when my family and friends come to visit.
As far as I know, I’m the only Singaporean living here, and the closest Singaporean lives more than an hour’s drive away, making it hard for us to connect. The village I live in has a population of only 350 people, and I admire the small community spirit where our kids can grow up together and everyone tries their best to help one another.
Bringing Joy to the Slopes and Finding Balance in the Austrian Alps
St. Anton has a special ski show every year to celebrate the New Year, where ski instructors ski while holding flags that represent visitors from all over the world. I was inspired by the idea that one day, someone would ski with a Singapore flag.
Many of our guests are from the US and Europe, and I feel deeply satisfied to help them enjoy their holidays, which often results in recommendations of our services to their family and friends.
This year, I had my first Singaporean guests, and they had so much fun! This keeps me motivated to introduce this "unknown" ski destination to my fellow Singaporeans.
What keeps me energized is daily meditation and simply hanging out with my guests, establishing close relationships with them.
One thing I’ve learned is that you never know who you’ll meet. I met a guest just by starting a conversation with her while snowboarding on the same slope, and I met another while taking a break in the rental shop.
Always expect the unexpected. Although some guests can be difficult, it’s my job to ensure their holiday runs smoothly, and they really appreciate that. The fulfillment in the process comes from having flexible work hours. As a business owner, I’m able to be present for my kids, spend quality time with them, and do something I enjoy when they’re asleep. It can be tiring at times, but it’s very satisfying.
For someone from a metropolitan city like Singapore, with absolutely no winter, to move and live in a ski resort in the Austrian Alps—that’s certainly truly unique to me. I keep a gratitude journal for daily entries, and after all our hard work during the winter season, we celebrate by going on a month-long family surf trip.
It’s simply about dedicating time to our second passion—surfing!
Growing a Dream with Passion, Grit, and the Joy of Sharing the Slopes
Visionary Thinking:
I have immense faith in St. Anton’s potential as a European ski destination for the ever-growing ski community in Singapore. This creates an opportunity for Singaporeans to discover skiing outside of the usual options in nearby countries like Japan and New Zealand.
Courage:
My first meeting with a local hotel owner, where I had to converse entirely in German, was a challenge for me. The goal of making our business successful is something that keeps me going.
Resilience:
Just getting our name out there as a start-up was very difficult. I learned to never give up, and eventually, our high-quality services became known through word-of-mouth.
Curiosity:
We learned by doing and by understanding feedback from our guests. The services we offer have evolved over time according to the demands of our guests, and ultimately, a personalized ski holiday is something many people appreciate.
Optimism:
My ultimate goal—to make St. Anton the top European ski destination for Singaporeans—keeps me going. I love sharing my second home, St. Anton, and my passion for skiing and snowboarding with like-minded people.
Adaptability:
I live by the saying, "It can always be worse." I treat setbacks as part of the entire learning and growth process.
Joy:
Having guests come back season after season, watching their kids grow up, and embracing our shared passion for skiing in the Arlberg region brings me immense joy.
Pursuing Passion with Perseverance, Gratitude, and a Clear Goal
My advice is to never give up. Simply pursue your passion, and everything else will fall into place.
Challenges are part of the learning process. Conquer them.
Always remind yourself of your ultimate goal. Your mindset is key.
Looking back, I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received from my family and friends.
Gratitude makes me appreciate the simpler things in my lifetime with my kids, my family, and loved ones.
Motto: Never give up. Simply pursue your passion, and everything else will fall into place.
Stay Connected
My husband and I founded a boutique ski travel company where we organize customized ski trips. You can find us at www.alpenature.com and on Instagram at @alpenature.