Burke Mountain Academy and Oberschulzentrum Sports Gymnasium Launch International Partnership

Featured image: Anton Seeber (HTI Group), Willy Booker (Burke Mountain Academy, USA), and Claudia Brüne (Oberschulzentrum Sports Gymnasium). Photo courtesy of Oberschulzentrum Sports Gymnasium.

Burke Mountain Academy and Oberschulzentrum Sports Gymnasium Announce International Partnership as Part of BMA’s European Programming Initiative

East Burke, Vermont, and Sterzing/Vipiteno, Italy – October 10, 2025 – Burke Mountain Academy (BMA) of Vermont, USA, and Oberschulzentrum Sports Gymnasium of Sterzing/Vipiteno, Italy, are proud to announce a groundbreaking international partnership. This collaboration is a cornerstone of BMA’s European Programming Initiative, which establishes a long-term training base in Sterzing/Vipiteno while creating meaningful exchange opportunities between two of the world’s leading alpine skiing schools. 

The partnership marks a significant expansion of BMA’s global footprint, with the academy now offering its students regular training opportunities in the heart of the European Alps while simultaneously creating pathways for cultural exchange and athletic development for students from both schools. 

“Our European Programming Initiative represents the most ambitious international expansion in Burke Mountain Academy’s history,” said Willy Booker ‘96, Head of School at Burke Mountain Academy. “By establishing a training base in Sterzing/Vipiteno and partnering with Oberschulzentrum Sports Gymnasium, we’re providing our student-athletes with unparalleled access to European training venues, competition circuits, and cultural immersion while creating a true transatlantic educational community. 

Christian Salchner, Director of Oberschulzentrum Sports Gymnasium, added, “Hosting Burke Mountain Academy’s European training base at our facilities creates tremendous opportunities for our students and coaches. This partnership allows us to share best practices across continents while our student-athletes benefit from diverse coaching perspectives and training methodologies.” 

The comprehensive partnership centers around four strategic pillars: 

● European Training Base: BMA’s new training headquarters in Sterzing/Vipiteno will bring cohorts of American student-athletes to train in the region throughout the academic year, with extended residency during key training and competition periods. The initiative provides BMA athletes with direct access to world-class European training venues. It fosters daily interaction with their Italian counterparts, promising to help them adapt to European culture and competition environments. 

● Cultural Exchange & Global Literacy: Through structured exchange programs and collaborative projects, students from both institutions will develop cross-cultural understanding and a global perspective that extends beyond traditional athletic and academic environments. While BMA students visiting Sterzing for short or long-term periods will benefit from exposure to their peers, the program is intended to establish exchange opportunities for Italian students from the Sterzing Sports Gymnasium, allowing them to enjoy the same immersive experience while visiting BMA’s campus in Vermont. 

● Language Development: BMA students will benefit from immersive German language experiences during their time in South Tyrol, while Oberschulzentrum students will enhance their English proficiency through regular interaction with their American peers and potential exchange opportunities at BMA’s Vermont campus. 

● Coaching & Athletic Development: The partnership facilitates coach exchanges, shared training sessions, and collaborative athletic programming that combines North American and European approaches to alpine ski training methodology, strength conditioning, and race preparation. 

The partnership was formally recognized earlier this month at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Sterzing Sports High School at the Vipiteno Municipal Theater. BMA Head of School Willy Booker and Director of College Counseling Tom Bojko attended the ceremony, with Booker joining Anton Seeber of the HTI Group to present the collaboration and highlight plans for future joint initiatives. 

The event brought together regional officials, educators, and alumni to celebrate 25 years of combining academic excellence with athletic development. It also served as a fitting backdrop for this new international partnership, one that exemplifies the shared values of both schools: determination, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence. 

As the partnership progresses, BMA student-athletes will begin training in Sterzing/Vipiteno for extended periods throughout the year, with expanded exchange and residency opportunities for Oberschulzentrum Sports Gymnasium students in Vermont planned for the 2025–2026 academic season. 

For more information about this partnership and BMA’s European Programming Initiative, please contact: 

About Burke Mountain Academy: Founded in 1970, Burke Mountain Academy in East Burke, Vermont, is a premier college preparatory school for competitive alpine ski racers. BMA has produced numerous Olympians, World Cup competitors, and NCAA champions while maintaining exceptional academic standards. The academy’s new European Programming Initiative represents its commitment to providing student-athletes with world-class training opportunities across global venues. 

About Oberschulzentrum Sports Gymnasium: Located in the picturesque alpine town of Sterzing/Vipiteno in South Tyrol, Italy, Oberschulzentrum Sports Gymnasium has established itself as a leading European institution that balances rigorous academics with elite athletic development, particularly in winter sports. The school’s strategic location provides access to some of Europe’s premier training and competition venues.