SEBI MALL
It’s all a matter of perspective.
- Country
Austria- Born in
- 1999
For Sebastian “Sebi” Mall, skiing has always been inseparable from life itself. Growing up in St. Anton am Arlberg, right in the middle of one of the world’s most iconic ski areas, the mountains were never a destination – they were home. “Daily life and the mountains are very close to me — the most beautiful place to be, but also a harsh environment to experience,” he reflects, describing the dual nature of his environment.
Introduced to skiing at an early age, Sebi joined the local freestyle club when he was around ten years old. Surrounded by a strong team and guided by his coach Giggo – a key mentor figure and almost a second father – he spent his formative years fully immersed in skiing and competition. This path eventually led him into the Austrian national team, with Europa Cup starts, Junior World Championships appearances, and even a World Cup experience at just 16.
After years on the racing circuit, a shift in perspective began. At 18, he decided to step away from competitive skiing to explore something new. Two seasons working in a sports shop in St. Anton unexpectedly opened the door to powder skiing – and for the first time, he fully realized the unique playground he had grown up in.
A move to Innsbruck, originally planned for university studies, marked another turning point. While studying, his passion for skiing quickly returned, leading to his first and last freeride contest – and, almost by coincidence, to an opportunity to join a ski film project in the Arlberg region. From there, a new direction emerged: skiing in the backcountry, developing in alpine terrain, and expressing skiing through the lens of film.
Today, Sebi moves between skiing and creativity, driven by freedom rather than fixed structures. “Look back to move forward,” he says – a mindset shaped by experience, change, and curiosity. What began as competition has evolved into a personal form of expression, where skiing becomes both craft and storytelling.
Alongside his skiing life, he has been studying geology in Innsbruck for the past two years – a balance that connects science, mountains, and perspective. Skiing has become his profession, while studying provides grounding and contrast.
With a strong sense of curiosity and appreciation for the mountains, Sebi continues to explore what skiing can be beyond performance – always guided by perspective, environment, and flow.
Other athlete
- SEBI MALL
