This peaceful spot at the foot of the Oberalp Pass has long been a coveted destination for winter holidays. And now the cable car joining Sedrun with Andermatt has made it famous even outside of Switzerland.

Cross-country skiing is his great passion. As the president of the commune, fiduciary and gamekeeper Cavegn is invited to a lot of weddings. At first glance, these occupations may seem quite disparate, but actually they have more in common than you might think.

Not a day goes by that Martin Cavegn does not walk through the woods, ski the pistes or climb up a mountain. The variety of tasks he performs gives him a holistic understanding of how a mountain region functions and how humans and the environment shape one another. Experiencing this connection first-hand and trying to understand it is invaluable for him – both personally and professionally.

The cross-country skiers under Cavegn learn to use the resources they have; this is primarily about conserving guests’ energy. Strapping on a pair of skis and dashing off is not the best way to go as all too often beginners rely on a lot of strength and little technique. They tire quickly and then it becomes less fun. This is the main message that Cavegn wishes to teach.

“And now look ahead a little bit.” When Coach Martin Cavegn is teaching he sounds more like a theatre prompter than a drill sergeant. He is truly pleased every time his students master a movement. “Very good. Little by little you’re getting more confident. I can tell!” Beginners can’t help a sheepish grin.

…might sound like the latest football scores, but this is actually the technique you use to glide forward while cross-country skiing. 2-1 simply means one double-pole push for each second-leg push, and 1-1 is one double-pole push for every leg push. Pushing off with just one arm happens much less often. While it may sound complicated, it is just a natural extension of how we move, almost like how we normally walk.

If the snow clouds come from the south, then it snows. If they come from the north, then it really snows. This is because of the location, right in the middle of the main Alpine ridge. The perfectly situated and groomed pistes have catapulted the region into the cross-country ski area elite. The best part is that the centrally located beginner pistes and the hilly terrain outside mean there’s something for every skill level.
Sedrun circular trail

Competitions are not his thing. At an early age, Cavegn realised that sharing his passion for cross-country skiing would be much more fulfilling. So it’s no surprise that he became an instructor to teach others cross-country skiing. His infectious enthusiasm and charismatic personality enliven lessons in which the focus is on humility and responsibility. Its down-to-earth nature and impressive mountainscape are what make this region at the foot of the Oberalp Pass the perfect place for a winter holiday.