Vivan Bruchez - SUNLIGHT Adventure Crew

Vivian Bruchez is one of the world’s best steep skiers. Growing up in Chamonix, he is a top athlete, an avid adventurer, mountain guide and instructor.

His film T’es pas bien là can be watched on Netflix, his steep skiing Entre les lignes, on Amazon Prime and his words can be read here.

Vivian, growing up in Chamonix with a family heritage of mountain guides – has there ever been any chance of a different career?

Vivian: Well, I was born in the right place for my passion for sure. Of course, all doors are open in Chamonix, and I also tried to study – but it wasn’t for me. I’ve always skied. I made my first descent of Les Grands Montets at the age of 4, I competed intensively in alpine skiing, ski cross, and freeride – and I did my first steep solo ride age 19 – the Mallory-Porter route solo on the north face of the Aiguille du Midi. I felt completely in my element.

And for a long time, you were the youngest mountain guide in the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix. What defines a mountain guide?

Vivian: It’s as much about people as it is about nature. It’s about sharing your love for nature, about building a human connection. You have to read the people you are out with, you have to sense their fear, for example, very quickly.

And doing what you do, you also have to read the face of a mountain! How do you find and explore your next ride?

Vivian: I’m really curious. When I come to a new place, I look for iconic mountains – sometimes it’s a photo in a bakery. That’s the first step. Then I look at maps, Google Maps, and RealityMaps is super good, it provides very precise 3D images. I go on an easy ski tour to have a view, to feel the condition, the snow. In the end, I combine all the pieces. And I work a lot on my visualization.

Do you also visualize before you drop in or what does your pre-steep ride routine look like?

Vivian: I clean my boots and my binding. And I clean my head. Phone on airplane mode. No disturbance. Total focus.

What attracts you to a line?

Vivian: It’s a mix of everything. The aesthetic of the mountain and the beauty of the line. And also the story behind it inspires me. It doesn’t have to be the mountain with the big name. It’s having the right people at the right moment at the right place.

How do you define fear?

Vivian: For me, it’s a bad sensation. I begin to feel fragile. I have lots of doubt, but doubt helps me finding a solution. Fear means it’s too late. I feel hot in my body, overheated, and my heartbeat is superfast. So, preparation is key.

If you could ski with anyone who would that be?

Vivian: My daughters.

What’s something people get totally wrong about you?

Vivian: I’m a pretty honest person, sometimes too honest, so people don’t really misconceive me, I think. I try to be kind and authentic. I believe in having respect for the mountain and respect for the people, too. Say Hi, give a smile…