Release from 09.10.2026
Three trailers, three genres and a community deciding which story deserves to continue: this was how Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn kicked off the 2026 bike season. Following a successful summer in Austria’s largest bike region, the winner of the trailer vote has now been announced. Vali Höll emerged as the clear favourite with her fictional film “Vali – mit Vollgas durch's Idyll”. The downhill athlete, who plays an alternative version of Heidi, received 44% of the votes, followed by Stevie Schneider with his bike crime thriller “Bremsspur” (32%) and Fabio Wibmer with his action thriller “TrailRush” (24%). The bike community gave almost 7,000 votes in total.
Between downhill and dirndl
For the campaign, the three professional athletes swapped their usual roles for fictional characters: Vali Höll became a confident heroine in an Alpine drama combining downhill riding and traditional dirndls. Stevie Schneider investigated a deadly hunt targeting bikers, while Fabio Wibmer raced through Saalbach as a secret agent.
Released at the start of the bike season, the trailers were available to watch and vote for at bike.saalbach.com. The community therefore held the power to decide which idea would become a finished film. Their verdict now sets the course for the 2027 production: the story of Vali and her character, inspired by childhood heroine Heidi, will continue.
“I’ve always known there was a Hollywood star in me just waiting to get out. That’s why I’m so excited about the Heidi sequel. As far as I’m concerned, we could also take it in a ‘Kim Possible’ direction, with plenty of action, stunts and explosions in the Glemmtal valley,” says Vali Höll, thanking the community for its support.
Her fellow contender Stevie Schneider appeared in front of the camera and, as producer, was also involved throughout the campaign’s creative development. “What really delighted me about the reactions on social media was that people genuinely believed a film was coming. Creating a trailer is much harder than you might think, because you’re working with a collection of scenes rather than a linear storyline. That’s what makes it so challenging,” reflects the Saalbach athlete. “The things that really stuck with me were the corpse in the crime thriller complaining about the cold stainless-steel table, Fabio having absolutely no problem with the milk waterboarding scene, and Walter Höll turning out to have a real talent for playing a dying grandpa,” recalls Stevie Schneider, thanking the entire team for putting their trust in the unconventional campaign idea.
Kids Ride Out in Saalbach after successful World Cup season
The trailer vote victory rounds off a successful downhill season for Vali Höll: the 24-year-old secured her fifth overall World Cup title in 2026. As her long-standing sponsor, the Saalbach Hinterglemm Tourist Board warmly congratulates its athlete on this outstanding achievement.
Vali Höll’s close connection to her hometown was on full display on 8 October at the Kids Ride Out in the Learn to Ride Park on the Kohlmais. In autumnal weather, she spent time with the next generation of local downhill riders and shared some of her skills with the young bike fans. Tasty refreshments were just as much a part of the day as the joy of riding together.
Even off camera, it was clear what connects Vali Höll with her film character: she follows her own path – and audiences will soon be able to see where it takes her on screen.
For more information about Austria’s largest bike region, visit bike.saalbach.com.