Uphill and downhill

Koch and Kellner are on the hunt for records in Obertauern

Head waiter Jan Mihm (left) and record collector Hermann Koch on the slopes.(Bild: Holitzky Roland)

Hermann Koch and Jan Mihm set new records on two skis in Obertauern over the last few days. One roared down into the valley, the other climbed up the mountain more than 100 times on skins.

One already has seven entries in the Guinness Book of Records. The other is ambitious when it comes to records. Hermann Koch (63) and Jan Mihm (55) have made the most of the winter in Obertauern this year and set new records on skis.

530 vertical meters completed more than 100 times
Koch is already an old hand when it comes to collecting best performances. His seven entries in the record book were all achieved on a snow bike. The ski instructor and former ski school owner has, for example, curved around the most gate poles and collected the most vertical meters. In the past winter months, he strapped on his touring skis and climbed the Zehnerkar 110 times. "That's exactly 530 vertical meters per tour," says the fit chef. Yesterday, Thursday, friends and acquaintances accompanied him on his record-breaking tour. He has documented all the tours and wants to make it into the Guinness Book.

Jan Mihm from Berlin got stuck in Obertauern after a vacation in 2021. The ex-entrepreneur gave up his old life and started a job as a waiter at the five-star Hotel Cinderella. "I wanted to stay here so I could ski every day," says Mihm. His record: the most ski days. He collected 142 last winter season. On May 1, the last day of this season, it will be 160 days. Mihm is no longer just a waiter, but now also a ski instructor. Specializing in adults who are starting to ski.