When one thinks of Chamonix often images of huge towering Aiguilles and faces with terrifying exposure enter one’s mind; Skiers bumbling down the Arete of the Aiguille du Midi while clenching the steel safely line before their descent into the some of the world’s most beautiful mountains. While not necessarily reveled for its quality of snow, Chamonix offers arguably some of the best lift-served skiing in the world. What better place to host the second stop of the Nissan Freeride World Tour? Considering the recent dump that delivered nearly 80 cm of fresh snow to the upper reaches of the mountain, riders were stoked to give it their all after a few days of glorious conditions.
(Words and Photos by Davide De Masi).

(© Nissan Freeride de Chamonix / Davide De Masi)

In the days before the competition, riders were greeted with line-after-line of bottomless powder offering them a little appetizer before the main course. The event was to take place on the fabulously aesthetic Pente de l’Hotel (Hotel Face) in the Brevent ski area, across the valley from the high mountains of the Mont-Blanc massif. The face had it all: huge central couloirs as well as fluted buttresses extending down either side into a multitude of airs with steep landings. However, due to its sunny exposure, the face had a very hard crust beneath the seemingly creamy pow.

Skier Crystal Wright (© Nissan Freeride de Chamonix / Davide De Masi)

After a few funs by the first athletes, skiers were forced to execute caution on the treacherous ice on the skier’s left and ski a bit more conservatively after several crashes, including a heli-evac of Swiss Raphy Gillioz after he fractured his elbow after taking a huge air to rocks. In addition, Torgrim Vole from Norway had a massive wreck and yard sale after hitting the top air of the venue at maximum speed and taking huge amounts of air into the steep face.

Skier Griffin Post (© Nissan Freeride de Chamonix / Davide De Masi)

These conditions didn’t stop Candide Thovex (FR), a man who needs no introduction, from sending the most impressive line of the day by skiing an impossibly exposed arête and dropping an insane air into another creative air and taking the first place position. Kaj Zackrisson (SWE) took second place by charging the entire face and picking his way into an absolutely massive and boney air in the bottom portion of the venue and stomping it like a champ. American rookie Tim Dutton took third by place by putting together an impressively fluid line and stomping it clean.

Skier Julien Lopez (© Nissan Freeride de Chamonix / Davide De Masi)

In the women’s category, American Jess McMillan killed it by skiing a creative line on the skier’s right side of the venue, finding deep pow and rewarding skiing. Eva Walkner (AUT) and Janina Kuzma (NZL) took second and third place, respectively and well represented the women’s skiing category by stomping difficult lines in challenging conditions.

(© Nissan Freeride de Chamonix / Davide De Masi)