Benedetta La Piana

Italy

I did my first ascent of the marvelous volcano Etna in Sicily when I was 10 years old. And I made my first turns on skis and experienced "real snow" for the first time on Etna. I don't have any special preferences in sports, but I'm addicted to any kind of outdoor activities that require balance.  It doesn't matter if it is riding my bike, golfing, swimming, tennis or handball ... I'm never bored!

Birthday? 19/02/1975

Year you first started at Black Diamond? 12.09.2005

Memory/story of your first week at Black Diamond? For me personally, this was a whole new world.

What does working at Black Diamond mean to you? A sense of freedom. Being close to nature even between the 4 walls.

If you weren't working for Black Diamond, what would you be doing?Travel, travel and travel...

Worst job you've ever had? Hostess at the fairs ...so boring !

Do you have any pets? Yes, 1 cat.

Favorite sports/activities? Golf, Bike, Ice Climbing, Tennis, Swimming and Walking.

Best climbing/skiing experience? None in particular, I enjoy every opportunity to go skiing or climbing.

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? Travel around the world, alone or perhaps with a special friend.

Guilty pleasure? Butter biscuits with Nutella !

What/who inspires you? Silence, a beautiful landscape, the sea, the color blue, the snow and a dear friend.

What's in your iPod? Nothing yet, but an Ipod will be my next purchase.

Three things you'd never travel without? A pen, a camera and comfortable shoes.

Superstitions? No at all, but I'm rather fatalist.

What's your dream job? One day I will become an astronaut !

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be? A candle-lit dinner with Ralph Fiennes, an instructive dinner with Leonardo Da Vinci and a funny dinner with E.T.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? I don't really like these things too much.