Life in the mountains means...

As a region in the midst of mountains, South Tyrol is virtually the ideal background for such a high-class event. Living in the mountains has had a strong and very positive influence on my life: I come from a family of mountain farmers and would not like to miss this aspect of my life.

My earliest memory of the mountains...

I still remember very well when, as a little boy, I used to take my herd up onto the higher mountain pastures in the summer. That often allowed me to discover new places at unfamiliar altitudes.

IMS for South Tyrol...

For six days, from 3 to 08 November 2009, the town of Bressanone/Brixen will host a unique convention - the International Mountain Summit - which will unite the world's best mountaineers and offer many events related to mountains and alpine sports. South Tyrol and the borough of Bressanone/Brixen are very pleased to be host of such an interesting event. If I can find the time, I would be delighted to attend the event to meet some of all the interesting guests and find out more about the mountains and life there.

Life in the mountains means...

Freedom… everything. It is a true privilege to live in such a beautiful place filled with these unique surrounding mountains - where others come to spend their holidays. I deeply enjoy climbing peaks during both summer and winter, feel the physical strain of it, reach personal limits and then, high up on the peak, look into the distance and recharge the batteries with fresh energy and strength.

My earliest memory of the mountains...

...was a via ferrata in the Dolomites with my parents and brothers.

For me and for South Tyrol, the IMS is...

A fantastic event which will surely turn into an exciting and unforgettable summit experience for the alpine region South Tyrol and all participants. South Tyrol is not only a land of the mountains but also the home of many world-famous top mountaineers - that is why I'm particularly happy that the IMS will take place here and unite the world's best mountaineers and climbers. We are happy to support the event because a summit convention of this kind will definitely increase the popularity of our region, especially in the mountain sports scene.

Life in the mountains means...

...above all: home. My roots, my life and my home are here. I have spent nearly all of my life surrounded by these mountains, and my identity has been clearly marked by them. The mountains are part of me just like oxygen is part of life: here I can find peace, gather energy and think.

My earliest memory of the mountains...

...is of when I worked as a herd boy on the Weißenbach mountain pastures in the  Aurina/Ahrntal valley: my job was to run after the goats which had escaped and take them back down from the mountains.

For me and for South Tyrol, the IMS means...

...A revival of the old tradition of warming down. It is an honour for us to be able to welcome so many well-known mountaineers and make the mountains a central topic for a week in our beautiful town of Bressanone/Brixen.  It is an equally special honour for South Tyrol and an homage to our world-wide renowned mountaineers.

I am very pleased about the IMS and will be happy to welcome our visitors to our home town.