INTERALPIN is the world's leading international trade fair for Alpine technologies. Every two years, the protagonists and top executives from all business sectors meet in Innsbruck: specialists in the cable car and snowmaking industry as well as experts for ticketing, digitalisation and safety on the mountains. Insight Snowsports Magazine editor Martin Obermayr interviewed project manager Stefan Kleinlercher about the development and importance of this unique trade fair.
“It is our claim to present real world debuts, innovative technologies and exciting solutions at every trade fair,” explains Stefan Kleinlercher. In 1992, the Tyrolean had his first contact with the event. Since he became project manager of the INTERALPIN in 2000, he has successively established it as the global premium fair for everything related to technologies in the mountains.
“The fair is an absolute must not only for decision-makers from cable car companies: Nowhere else you can meet the industry in this concentrated form. We offer a unique opportunity for exchange and global networking – and all this in the heart of the Alps,” Kleinlercher emphasises. Here he presents the four most important points of INTERALPIN's success formula:
Number 1: Sustainability
“Already in 2017, we presented the first hybrid snow groomer, and in 2019 our key note was on ‘sustainability’. The problem is that many innovations do not reach the general public: for example, environmentally friendly lubricants for snow groomers or energy recovery from downhill cable cars. Or efficiency measures in water and energy consumption in snow production – this is a win-win situation because I save resources and money at the same time.”
Number 2: Innovations
“We stand for numerous world debuts and state-of-the-art technologies at the very highest level. The first indoor ski slope in Dubai was developed at our fair and the first urban transport cable car in Medellín, Colombia, also had its origin in Innsbruck. We see ourselves as a platform for the concentration of ideas and a source of inspiration for all areas of technology. In addition, we offer top-class key notes, lectures and sessions at the INTERALPIN INSPIRATION DAYS.”
Number 3: Networking
“Our core area is alpine year-round tourism and winter sports, but we get enquiries from transport ministries all over the world: from Georgia to India to China. Because the know-how of Austrian producers and ski resorts is the global benchmark in many areas. And Innsbruck is an ideal hub: In one hour you can reach Kitzbühel, St. Moritz, Upper Bavaria and South Tyrol, and in two hours many of the biggest producers of alpine technology.”
Number 4: Safety on the mountain
“At our event, international safety, protection and rescue specialists meet and exchange their experiences. The fields of activity range from avalanche warning services to radio, call and monitoring systems, from safety net to rope testing solutions for cable cars. It’s not a coincidence that China has adopted the Austrian standards for rope testing as a guideline.”
Further information can be found at: www.interalpin.eu