Sylvian Saudan, a trailblazer in extreme skiing and a source of inspiration for many, has passed away at the age of 87. The Swiss alpine skier succumbed to a heart attack on July 14, 2024, in Les Houches, France, as reported by his wife to Dauphiné Libéré.
Born in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1936, Saudan embarked on his skiing journey at the tender age of six. By his twenties, he had become a ski instructor and mountain guide in Aspen, Colorado. It was in his thirties that Saudan earned the moniker “skieur de l’impossible” or “Skier of the Impossible” for his daring feats on extreme terrains.
Pioneering First Descents and Innovations
In 1967, Saudan etched his name in skiing history with the first descents of the Couloir Sans Nom on Rothorn and the formidable Spencer Couloir on Mont Blanc. The 1970s saw him collaborating with Hans Gmoser to pioneer heli-skiing in Canada’s Bugaboo Mountains. During this period, he also innovated a unique style of short, wide metal skis designed for deep backcountry snow, a precursor to modern powder skis.
Breaking Records and Conquering Peaks
Saudan’s adventurous spirit led him to the Himalayas by the 1980s. His 1982 ski descent of Pakistan’s Hidden Peak earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. On his 50th birthday in 1985, he achieved another remarkable feat by skiing down the scree-covered slopes of Mount Fuji.
Known for his fearless approach, Saudan once famously remarked, “When you ski down a corridor, you’re really edging death with each move that is not perfectly controlled. There’s really only one way out: don’t fall down.”
Legacy in Film and Beyond
Saudan’s exploits were featured in several ski films and extreme sports TV shows, such as “La Liste” and “Ultimate Rush,” cementing his legacy in the world of extreme sports.
Sylvian Saudan is survived by his wife, Marie-José Valençot, who remains a testament to the remarkable life and legacy of the “Skier of the Impossible.”
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