Did you find Alaska scary?
Sure it’s scary, and that’s where
I realised I wasn't completely crazy. Personally,
I don't know anybody who isn't scared there.
I mean, who wouldn't be in front of a 6000
feet wall of snow. Check out LINES (Axel Pauporté’s
movie) and you'll find out that even the craziest
dudes like Salasnek, Ranquet or Olfsson are
scared too.
How does Alaska compare to mountains
in Europe. Can you actually compare it to
somewhere like Chamonix, or is it on a completely
different level?
AK is AK. It’s the ultimate big mountain
experience, nothing to compare with the rest
of the world. Everything is different there;
the mountains, the terrain, the snow, the
ambiance, the landscapes...
Most of your time snowboarding these
days must be very “serious”. Do
you sometimes like to just cruise a piste
along with all tourists?
I love that, it’s kinda my recreation
time, I have a lot of fun doing it. In a way
it’s like skateboarding on the slopes.
That stuff really puts a smile on my face
no matter what.
You rode in the Big Mountain Pro last
season. How was that? I heard you took a nasty
slam (Jules face planted and ended up with
a bloody nose!), but aside from that, was
it good!?
Yeah, that and the Extrem of Verbier were
both sick experiences. I could exchange so
much with riders such as Jeremy Jones, Jonas
Emery, Xavier de le Rue and all the others.
The BMPro is definitely one of the best snowboard
concepts I've heard about. Unfortunately for
the first edition snow was lacking, but if
I can participate again I'll be super stocked.
…Do you prefer freeride contests
compared to park set-ups?
Hard to say. In a way, I'm scared that the
concept of doing a freeride competion would
take away the essence of freeriding, but with
last winter's experiences I kinda have to
reconsider.
Concerning the parks set ups, since I am not
so much of a showman I don't know if I would
perform as expected unless I would be shredding
with my friends. That is definitely enhancing
my riding.
I hear you have an agent. What made
you decide to get an agent? (I though only
movie stars had agents?)
Well I am in a movie so I guess you can call
me a movie star. Hahaha just joking of course!
I am not much of a businessman you know, and
organisation is not my top skill. This way
I get the support I need and I know someone
is looking after my interests.
Why do they call you ‘The Gypsy’??
Do you live in a caravan with a blacked out
4x4 and a horse tied up outside it?
I've lots of nicknames, this is just one of
them. I am far from living the life of a superstar,
got no blings, no fancy car, and no crib;
I still got to fight to stay where I am. Mostly
I stay true to my beliefs and didn't change
my mentality because I ve reach some kinda
so called “elite”. You ride a lot of street
rails. Have you had any run-ins with the Gendarmerie?
No, not at all. Every Sunday I eat in the
same restaurant as the local cops. I know
them all and try not to upset them too much,
but hey I still have to get some fun, right?!
Nice to keep them on side. The French
and Swiss scenes seem to be getting really
strong over recent years. Which riders do
you think are really pushing it?
Yeah for sure, and not only over the recent
years, I mean when you think about, Reto Lamm,
Gian Simmen, Fabian Rohrer, Micky Albin, Tonton
Holland all these guys where killing it back
in the day. Now it's true that the list is
even longer with Romain De Marchi, Nico Muller,
Markus Keller, Severin de Courten, Alex Evequoz,
Kalbi, Droz etc... Switzerland and France
are definitely a nest of the present and upcoming
generation of riders.
I don't know if all of them had/have the recognition
they deserved(s), cause (and that’s
a general observation in the industry) overseas
media seem sometimes to forget to keep an
eye on the Euros...
Do you actually read snowboard magazines?
Yeah sure, when I'm on the toilet!
Nicolas has Arcus, Wolle has Asthetiker,
and Romain now has his own brand also. Do
you have any plans to get into the industry
side of snowboarding, and if so what would
you like to do?
For now I'm gonna focus on snowboarding, I
don't really have a plan of that kind for
the future. But you never know...
Step-On Snowboard Magazine 1999 - 2006 - All rights
reserved - On Media Ltd
All material including text, images, and graphics, are
property of step-on magazine. The reproduction of any
material on this website is prohibited without written
permission from the editors
