Welcome To
Training
We strive to use virtual reality (VR) training in freeski and snowboard freestyle to improve competition performance, minimize the risk of injury and provide an alternative training method for injured athletes.
By replicating complex, real-life freestyle scenarios in a controlled VR environment, athletes can practice and refine their techniques without physical risks. Our simulation not only tracks learning progress but also evaluates athlete behavior, with training applications grounded in scientific principles.
We are developing Skill-VR a training app for young athletes. Skill-VR safely trains speed estimation and landing anticipation, crucial for jumps, by simulating challenging conditions like wind and poor visibility. Its primary goal is to reduce injury risks and provide an alternative training method for injured athletes.
Introducing Pro-VR for elite athletes: Pro-VR realistically recreates slopestyle courses and freeride faces, allowing athletes to plan and practice runs in advance. This enables more repetitions and improved performance, enhancing competition outcomes and boosting confidence.
Welcome To
Experience
The “VR Experience” aims to introduce visitors to the exciting world of freestyle sports, showcasing the specific competition courses and the beautiful regions where these events take place. You can immerse yourself in the thrill of riding the WC Slopestyle at Corvatsch or Laax, just like your idols. Or perhaps you’d like to feel the adrenaline of jumping over a Big Air in Chur? The “VR-experience” is already in action! It was used at the road show of the Freestyle World Championships St. Moritz Engadin 2025 (Big Air Chur 2024, ZEBI in Lucerne and the Fiutscher in Chur).
FROM
ReAL WORLD
INTO
VIRTUAL SIMULATon
Welcome To
VisIon OF vrained
vrained GmbH is at the forefront of sports innovation, specializing in developing highly realistic virtual reality simulations for skill training. Inspired by the transformative impact of flight simulators in pilot training, our virtual simulations are designed to not only enhance skill acquisition, but also ensure the effective transfer of these skills to real-world settings.
Our focus is on minimizing injury risks and boosting performance in Freeski and Snowboard Freestyle. By replicating complex, real-life sports scenarios in a controlled virtual environment, athletes can practice and refine their techniques without the physical risks associated with traditional training methods.
As a dynamic spin-off from the University of Bern, vrained GmbH garnered support by the prestigious BRIDGE Proof of Concept program, underscoring our commitment to merging academic research with practical applications in sports technology. Our mission is to revolutionize training methods, ensuring athletes achieve their peak performance safely and sustainably.
RESEARCH BACKGROUND
The Problem
In Freeski and Snowboard Freestyle many people injure themselves while practicing jumps because they cannot control the correct take-off speed, leading them to jump too far or not far enough. Adjusting for environmental conditions like headwind, poor visibility, or changing snow is crucial.
Methods & Goals
By replicating sports scenarios in a controlled virtual environment, athletes can practice and refine their techniques without the physical risks associated with traditional training methods.
With this Skill acquisition we are optimistic on minimizing injury risks and boosting performance.
Results & Achievements
We were able to demonstrate that the skill of flight trajectory control can be replicated and trained in a virtual environment. The next study aims to investigate whether these learning effects can be transferred to real-world situations. Previous pilot studies already show the expected trend for a positive skill transfer.
Marc Gürber was awarded 3rd place in the Swiss Olympic Science Award 2023 for his research project.
Marc Gürber received a BRIDGE Proof of Concept grant for 18 months.