I came here as a foreigner to study and work and decided to stay in this village. The landscape, the mountains and the lakes attracted and enticed me. It is not a particular tradition that has shaped me, but rather the communal get-togethers on the house benches, where friends and neighbors meet in good weather to swap stories. I have settled in here, enjoy wearing traditional costume and even play Schafkopf, which is unusual for a non-native.
The water ski lift in Kiefersfelden is a special place for me that holds many memories and moments, from my first rides to my competitions in competitive sports. The warm welcome from my friends here, who introduced me to their home and customs, has strengthened my bond with the village. Lake Hödenauer and the water ski facility are home to me, and I decided to stay here after my studies and even work in the management of the wake park. Here, everyone can be whoever they want and it’s a small world within the village, free from judgment and full of opportunities for action and relaxation.
This is a slalom ski. And not just any ski, but the one I learned to slalom on here when I was 6 years old. I’m not from here, but we often came here in the summer to visit friends and family. Or my parents skied competitions. Slalom is now my favorite discipline and this ski was the beginning of everything. It has clearly shaped all my life decisions. I’m an athlete, I’m going to study near here and far away from home. I decided to stay here and continue practicing the sport excessively. As a result, I’ve made friends here who are now family.
In all the stories I've already told you, you can probably tell what a strong connection I have to this water ski lift here. It's this view and the feeling it evokes in me! I've seen more sunrises and sunsets with this backdrop here than anywhere else in the world. Experienced the biggest storms and danced the most beautiful summer rain dances. Laughed and cried with friends and philosophized about the world late into the night. So no, I don't have any special memories of this place. For a few years now, this place has been almost the biggest part of my life.
