θˈɜːni wʌz bˈɔːɹn ɪnðə dʒˈɜːmənspˈiːkɪŋ pɹˈɑːvɪns ʌv sˈaʊθ tˈaɪɹɑːl, ɪnðə hˈæmlɪt ʌv tɹˈæfɔɪ ʌvðə stˈɪlfs mjuːnˈɪsɪpˈælᵻɾi, wˌɪtʃ ɪz sˈɪtʃuːˌeɪɾᵻd ɔnðə nˈɔːɹðɚn ɹˈæmp ʌvðə stˈɛlvɪˌoʊ pˈæs.
Thöni was born in the German-speaking province of South Tyrol, in the hamlet of Trafoi of the Stilfs municipality, which is situated on the northern ramp of the Stelvio Pass.