The summit of the Pizol rises majestically into the twilight. The soft pinks and purples of the setting sun are reflected on the snow. A dazzling light breaks the scene, a rumble shatters the silence on the mountain. A snow groomer ploughs through the snow, leaving immaculate tracks, a perfectly groomed slope. In control is Peter Thut (51). The man from Bad Ragaz is an exotic figure on the mountain because in summer he flies an Airbus A330 to cities in the Middle East, India or the USA. In winter, he swaps the controls of the passenger plane for those of a snow groomer equipped with a snowplough at the front and a milling machine at the rear. A monster of metal, hydraulic hoses and tracks called "Rosie".

"Flying is a matter of the heart for me, just like working in the mountains," says Thut, who is known as "Tüte". A remnant of his time as a military pilot. "Others also have meaningful names like Maverick or Iceman," he says with a broad grin. Laughter lines crisscross his face, showing that he laughs a lot. "For me, it's a dream to work as a pilot and at the same time live my passion for the ski slopes - two opposites that suit me perfectly". He looks down into the valley. It is getting dark. Amidst the winter air, the lights of distant villages are flickering. "Isn't it beautiful?" he asks. Thut's voice carries a sense of wonder as he reaches for his mobile device. He captures the scene before him –taking a picture - one of hundreds he has already saved on his device. “It's a privilege to see the Earth from above, whether from the cockpit of a passenger jet or the top of a mountain. "From above, the world looks like a map, only better. I can't get enough of it."

A part-time contract fuels two passions
Thut's extraordinary job combination is made possible by a part-time contract with SWISS. " All my part-time days are reserved for winter, when I'm on the mountain. In summer, when SWISS is bustling, I work at 200 percent as a pilot. A win-win situation. Long-haul pilots like Peter Thut can choose from various part-time models. All they have to do is keep their qualifications up to date and undergo regular checks on time. These regular checks are required by the authorities and ensure that pilots stay in practice even during longer breaks.

Working part-time not only enriches Thut's life, but also allows SWISS to harness the full potential of its experienced pilots - after all, experience is a highly valued asset in aviation. Pilots also have the opportunity to align their professional ambitions with other aspects of their lives, bringing new perspectives and motivation to their daily routine at SWISS. "In winter, I can spend a lot of time with my family, always at home during the day, and in the evenings one of my four boys often with me in the snow groomer. These are precious moments."

Balance is important to him, says Thut, explaining his decision to work part-time. "I like the quiet moments on the mountain, away from the hustle and bustle of the airports. Rosie, the groomer, the snow and me. It's meditative. In those moments I see how little it takes to be happy - a glimpse of Venus over the horizon, a sunrise. With stoic calm and precision, he steers the powerful snow groomer past obstacles and up a steep slope. Precision is also required in the cockpit. But that's not enough, says the man who claims to feel the big machines. "I practically have the plane strapped to my back, I feel it. There are vibrations, noises. For me, driving a snow groomer and flying is more than just a physical process."

A broken leg sparked the fascination
Peter Thut is living two childhood dreams. His grandfather built the cable car that now brings thousands of winter sports enthusiasts to the Pizol. Even as a young boy, Thut spent a lot of time in the mountains. At the age of six he broke his leg, an accident that led him to his passion for snow groomers. "I couldn't go outside and was probably difficult to bear. My mother tied a plastic bag around the cast on my leg and put me in a snow groomer next to the driver, maybe to get some rest," he says with a wink. After that, young Peter seized every opportunity to spend time with the men in the big machines.

Thut comes from a family of building contractors, and his father would have liked him to take over the family business. Instead, Thut chose a different path and decided to try his luck at military pilot selection. "Flying wasn't even my main focus, it was again the powerful machines," he laughs. After successfully completing his training, he became a helicopter pilot in a reserve squadron of the Swiss Air Force. "I am a team player and wanted to work with people, so I chose helicopters. Unlike fighter jets, you work much more closely with your crew and support staff.” In 1995, he decided to pursue a career with Swissair. "I've been lucky in life and I can't remember ever going to work without enthusiasm. I do what I love every day. I firmly believe that this enthusiasm also makes me better at my job and a better team player, both in the cockpit and in the snow groomers."

When the snow melts, Thut can't wait to get back in the air. "In spring, I can't stand the snow and look forward like a little child to flying again and discovering the world with my crews. In the autumn, however, the excitement of finally feeling the snow returns. Saying this, he revs Rosie's engine, the tracks start moving, and Peter Thut gets to work. Far into the night, the slopes are groomed – ready for a new day in the Swiss mountains.