Thibaud Duchosal: Sponsored Freeride Skier from Les Arcs

But how do you even get to be part of that scene in the first place? Is it all glam and glitz, jet-setting around the world to chase the snow? Jet-set it can be, maybe not so much of the glamourous when you're constantly un-packing & re-packing for your next trip..

Thibaud Duchosal is a Les Arcs born & bred freeride skier. Currently basing himself out of Bourg St Maurice, he cut his teeth on the infamous Aiguille Rouge and after a few years on the Freeride competition curcuit, he's now focussing on film making. We find out what makes him tick & who he thinks will win this years Freeride World Tour..

Tell us how you got started - how did you become a professional skier?

Since I was a child I had off-piste & powder fields in my sights - literally - my garden was right at the foot of the Aiguille Rouge. I entered into slalom competitions at a young age and then worked up to becoming an instructor, taching in the Tarentaise resorts. I have always been passionate about sports - I was swimming at International level and then went on to playing roller hockey at National level. The one sport that always stood out from the rest for me was skiing. After I tried the 'flying kilometre' in Les Arcs I was spotted and asked to represent the French team, but my mind was already made up -being surrounded constantly by picture-perfect powder fields the choice was simple - Freeride. At 17 I entered the Les Arcs Freeride event, equipped only with a pair of piste skis and came third in the first heat. Sadly a major wipe-out on the next run ended that competition, but the seed had been sown, and that's how my journey began.

How difficult is it to get sponsored / and then keep your sponsors happy?

The job has changed a lot in the last 10 years. In 2004 you were doing 3 publications in 3 printed ski magazines and everyone was happy. Things are changing now though - of course you have first to be an athlete and train a lot for it, but beside that, now you have to organize your own projects, manage your social networks, film and edit your content, contact journalists in order to get some exposure... It's a dream job but I guess people don't know all the efforts you have to do behind the "dream action picture". Now it's important to be active and creative all the time!

It looks like you're always chasing snow around the world.. How much time do you actually spend at home throughout the year?

I would say 6/7 months at home (mostly during spring and fall)... and then I'm travelling around the world!

What's the one thing you miss most about home or Les Arcs when you're away?

My family and friends

What's the best place in the world that you've skied so far & what were you doing?

Arhkyz in Russia, it's got amazing terrain and yet is still very wild. You can do whatever you do want, especially if you have an heli! And we were there in order to film movie Eye of the Storm as well as doing a promotional movie for a Russian TV channel.

What places are on your hit-list that you'd still love to ride & why?

For sure Alaska... when you watch a ski movie from Alaska, you know you have to go there. It's got perfect terrain and dream conditions. Then I would also like to travel to Japan to test the crazy Japanese powder... fresh snow everyday... what else?

You've got a string of big competitions behind you, but you've not entered any for a while.. why the change in direction?

I do like to compete but the Freeride World Tour has changed in the last few years with easier venues to make it easy for backcountry skiers. It's simply not my cup of tea! I was competing in order to ski challenging mountains such as the Bec des Rosses (Verbier), Grande Balme (Tignes), Corvatch (Silvaplana)... I do love Big Mountain skiing but now I prefer to run my own film and video projects, then I can choose the mountain I will ski, which makes it more interesting :)

If you could ski with one all-time hero (alive or dead) who would it be and why?

I don't really have one all-time hero!! But it could be funny to spend one day on skis with Tony Parker (a famous French basketball player).

Who do you think will win this years FWT?

I really hope my Blizzard team mate Loic Collomb-Patton will win it!!

[He's currently in 1st place going into the final in Verbier]

Are there any budding young skiers from Les Arcs that we should keep an eye out for in the future?

There are lots of good skiers in Les Arcs. I have some names in mind but wont say anything. No pressure on them ;) they still have to make their own experience to confirm their potential.

For people thinking about trying more off-piste skiing / boarding, what basic tips would you give them - for equipment, mountain etiquette, safety..?

Off-piste skiing is a long learning process... Always take your transceiver, your backpack with a shovel and probe. Then always ski with a friend and be sure he/she can find you in case of avalanche. Do not hesitate to ask questions to the ski patrol about snow conditions, watch the mountains (where has a slide come down, where are there wind-lips, cornice sizes etc.) as it give you good tips to analyse the risk. Have fun but keep in mind risk is always around the corner.

What makes Les Arcs a special place for you?

It's one of the only resorts where you can ski down 2000 vertical metres without taking any lifts!

What are the best bits about what you do?

My passion is my job... I couldn't hope for a better way!!

And the worst bits?

Always packing and un-packing luggage... You get tired of this when you travel too much.

What are you personal and professional goals for the future?

Not defined yet! I produce my own movies and I guess I will soon produce some for friends as well ;)

What's your favourite piste or off-piste area & top tip to go skiing when you're in Les Arcs (or would you prefer not to share these?!)

I like to ski all off piste runs starting from the top of the Aiguille Rouge!! Plenty of runs... different terrain and 2000 vertical metres..

Where would send someone who was after that something 'something special' in Les Arcs, to stay, eat or drink?

I would advise them to spend a stay in Mineral Lodge in Villaroger... and have a great meal at "Le Savoy" or "La Vache Rouge" in Arc 1950

What has been your best ever day in Les Arcs?

April 2011 during the filming of Invincibles movie... 80cm of fresh and light snow... 2 camera operators and an heli... wow!!

What's your favourite thing to do in Les Arcs when you're not skiing?

Mountain Biking! Even if it's a summer activity! The terrain is very nice for riding with my enduro. There's a super track in the forest, especially in Villaroger.

What do you do in the summer?

Biking, running, training for following winter and skiing every August in Argentina.

Where are we most likely to find you for après-ski?!

O'Chaud in Arc1950

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You can follow Thibaud and check out his future projects on his website, Instagram, YouTube, facebook & twitter.

Thibaud is sponsored by Arc'teryx & Tecnica/Blizzard.