Marion Haerty - SUNLIGHT Adventure Crew (INT-EN)

Marion Haerty is a four-time Freeride World Tour champion (unreached by any other athlete, male or female). But she is more than a snowboard icon; she’s an alpinist, skater, paraglider – and above all, a fighter and a pioneer.

Marion grew up in Grenoble, but has called Chamonix home for eight years – when she is actually home that is. She started with slopestyle and halfpipe, dominated the Freeride World Tour, was invited by Travis Rice to the prestigious Natural Selection event, and made a first descent of a 6,000-meter peak in Nepal.

But Marion knows more than just the highs. There have been constant setbacks, doubts, struggles. She’s currently recovering from a severe facial injury she suffered in Canada.

Marion, like so many athletes, your life has been a rollercoaster ride. Where do you find the strength for comebacks?

Marion: The fundamental motivation is that I want to spend my life in the mountains. That’s my natural habitat. However, last week my body didn’t want to get back on the snowboard; I had to talk it into it. This time it was even more frightening, because it involved my eyes and my vision was affected. But it is important to acknowledge those fears. You have to give yourself time, be kind to yourself – and be grateful.

Grateful for what?

Marion: For being able to do what I can and what I am free to do. It’s not always just about performance. It’s about life. Nature, people, this planet.

But you’re one of the world’s best athletes?!

Marion: In the winter season, I’m dedicated, I follow my plan and my goals. But it doesn’t control my whole life. I don’t want to just perform in snowboarding. I want to have fun and I want to climb, paraglide, discover new things. I’m incredibly curious and always want to learn. And fundamentally, I believe that sport isn’t about winning. Sport has magic powers.

Such as?

Marion: Sport lets you feel, experience, and go beyond yourself. It connects you in a truly unique way. Sport can build community, solidarity, and peace across all borders. Does that sound like a crazy philosophy?

No, not at all. Do explain further.

Marion: I truly believe the more we as people get to know each other, the fewer restraints and fears we have. Sport – especially in nature – is one of the quickest ways to build connections, trust each other, support one another, and share those special moments.

The snowboarding scene has crowned Marion “The Queen.” However, she wasn’t born with a silver spoon. Being one reason why she advocates not only for more women but for more diversity in sports in general. In her Level Up camps, Marion teaches skills and self-confidence to young top athletes as well as beginners from all backgrounds.

Was that also the reason you founded Level Up?

Marion: Absolutely. We need more women in the sport, especially women who don’t have the money, the friends, or the resources. Those are the true boundaries that we need to overcome. When I was young, I had to fight hard financially to pursue the sport professionally. But I also know how easy it is for me compared to the generation of my grandmother. I want to be involved out of respect for the achievements, for the legacy of the generations of women before us.

The film Didi shows your trip to Nepal, where you ascended and made the first descent of Lobuche (6,145 m) with an all-female Sherpa team.

Marion: Incredible women, yes. It was a very moving, inspiring time. Sport is also a way to discover and change the world. For us women, it has always been a powerful tool on the path to self-confidence, independence, equality.

From Alaska to the Himalayas, you've traveled extensively. Where will the CLIFF 4x4 take you?

Marion: I’ve seen a lot of the world, but now I want to explore more what’s close by. I can’t even tell you how much I’m looking forward to discovering France and Europe. Mathis (Dumas – Marion’s boyfriend and also an Adventure Crew member) and I just want to follow the flow. Canyoning, windfoiling, climbing. We’re not worried about ever getting bored. Our CLIFF is going to get around quite a bit…