Hermann Maier stars in new ORF nature documentary this autumn

Hermann Maier, the four-time Olympic gold medalist and alpine skiing icon, has swapped the slopes for the forests of Thayatal National Park. The 53-year-old Salzburger spent seven days filming a new documentary episode for ORF’s 'Universum' series on 18 June, with the episode titled 'Hermann Maier: Meine Heimat-Der Nationalpark Thayatal' set to air this autumn.

What happened during the shoot?

Maier and the crew shot across the park’s Austrian and Czech sides, using the Thayatal’s woodlands as a backdrop. The former speed demon admitted the pace has changed since his racing days. “That’s probably a sign of aging,” he told noe.ORF.at. “In my younger years, I’d never have waited this long for the perfect shot.”

The project tested his patience. Maier, who once hurtled down pistes at full throttle, now spends hours motionless to capture pristine nature shots. “I enjoy watching what happens in the wild beyond the race tracks,” he said. “And the endurance pays off with beauty.”

Why did Maier choose this setting?

The Thayatal’s untouched landscapes captivated him. “Because humans interfere so little here-and tourism stays modest-you see how stunning this place is,” Maier explained. “And they make sure it stays that way.”

Filming wasn’t smooth. “Things rarely go according to plan, especially not with me,” he laughed. Wildlife shots demanded improvisation. “Nature dictates everything. You just adapt as best you can,” Maier added.

What’s the historical angle?

The crew filmed at the Thayatalbrücke, a bridge that once marked the Iron Curtain between Austria and the Czech Republic. Maier called it “impressive how nature reclaims space, undeterred.” He noted the border’s past ugliness but praised today’s recovery. “You see the beauty now,” he said.

When and where can fans watch?

The episode is scheduled for ORF’s 'Universum' series this autumn. Exact dates and times will be announced closer to broadcast on ORF’s linear channels and online platforms.

Maier’s shift from racing to conservation storytelling marks another chapter in his post-competition life. After decades on the World Cup circuit, he’s trading speed for stillness-one frame at a time.