Jérôme, do you remember your first real adrenaline rush on skis?
I grew up in Sarreyer, a small village of about 200 people, just ten minutes from Verbier, higher up in the Val de Bagnes. I learned to ski thanks to the Ski Club Bagnes, the same club where World Cup racer Justin Murisier grew up. The focus was alpine skiing—training gates and racing. I did that for a few years, but stopped around age 11 or 12. Honestly, I wasn’t very good, haha! Freeride came later, around 12. I was lucky enough to make my first freeride lines in Verbier with “Le Tsic,” father of snowboard’s legend Gilles Voirol. I was and still am amazed by this skier, who at 57 years old now 74 is still charging down mountains. At 16, I met most of my current close friends and ski partners. Phil Meyer and Géraldine Fasnacht were part of that crew. They were all 5 to 20 years older than me, skied better, and had more experience. I’m so grateful they took this wide-eyed kid under their wing. I definitely wouldn’t be the skier I am today without them. Back then, it was tough to break into freeride without older, more experienced people showing you the way. Today, it’s awesome to see ski clubs offering freeride programs. It really opens the door for young riders.

At what age did you get your first downhill bike?
Funny enough, my bike journey followed a similar path as skiing. In summer, I needed something to do, so around 9 or 10 I joined the Verbier Bike Club. It was a cross-country (XC) club, and I spent a few years racing and training with them, Lycra and all, riding hardtails. Downhill came into my life thanks to my cousin when I was 12. He lent me one of his old bikes (way too big for me!) to try the Verbier Bikepark. I instantly fell in love. I decided to switch from XC to downhill. But I was just a kid with no DH bike, so I had to figure it out. Médran Sport, a ski and bike shop in Verbier, gave me an incredible opportunity: I could work at the shop on Wednesday afternoons (no school that day), and in return they lent me a downhill bike for the season. It was the perfect deal, and I’m still incredibly grateful. That bike allowed me to enter my first races—that’s how the whole big-bike adventure really began.

Speaking of which, Get High blew me away! How did the idea come up, and how far do you see yourself pushing your DH limits?
The concept was simple. My vision in skiing could help me reimagine what’s possible in MTB. Skiing gave me an increasingly alpine approach, which helps me push my limits in biking while staying in my comfort zone. When scouting for the project, I kept searching for an aesthetic, exposed ridge. I wanted to move away from the classic bike park setting and bring an alpine, high-mountain feeling to mountain biking, with strong visuals. Bringing it to life was an absolute blast. That’s how it happened—and it definitely sparks ideas for what’s next!

And today, how do you manage to juggle two pro careers in such demanding sports?
I’ve always struggled to choose between the two, so I was clear from the start with my sponsors: I wanted to build my career in both. At some point, I felt the need to explore something new. I hadn’t yet reached all my competition goals, and it wasn’t an easy choice to step away from that. But I saw an opportunity to connect the two sports and knew I had to try. By following the rhythm of the seasons, I can stay active for my sponsors year-round while keeping a balance between skiing and biking at a high level. That allows me to live my passions fully. I’ll never regret the decision, because it’s what allows me to truly express myself. I want to build a universe that shines 360 degrees in the mountains. Today, I’m proud to show that it’s possible to be fully versatile in both sports and make the most of what each season offers.

Is that what led you to this upcoming film with Jérémie Heitz?
Yes. I’ve had the chance to dedicate much of the last two seasons to steep skiing, from May to June in the Combins massif and elsewhere in Switzerland. It’s a unique opportunity for a project I’ve always admired and dreamed about. I’m gaining high-mountain experience thanks to Jérémie, a close friend, alpine benchmark, and mentor who constantly pushes me forward. Pulling off this film has been a real challenge—weather and snow conditions limit shooting windows, and the perfect day can take forever to arrive. Moving a full crew costs time and money, so making it happen means a lot to me. Our work highlights mountain lines that reflect similarities between these two totally different sports, with the aesthetic of our passion through the Swiss Alps as the common thread. It’s funny—skiing and biking are so different, but also so similar. The sensations, line choice, community, vibe, even the resorts—so many parallels. There are even brands involved in both. The skills I gain in one definitely help me progress in the other. Drawing a line is similar in both, though the exposure, slope, and terrain will change the choices.

Sounds like you’re well surrounded for this project?
We’re working with a solid team: Nicolas Falquet, a film crew, assistants, and high-mountain guides. The chemistry clicked right away—we knew each other, the feeling was natural. There’s constant dialogue, whether about cinematography or safety on snow, ice, and rock. We want to give viewers the chance to connect the dots. Skiing and biking may be fundamentally different, but they complement each other. By opening new perspectives while showcasing the performance that links them, we want to share the emotions of this high-altitude brotherhood—a beautiful mountaineers’ story in the making.

Does mixing MTB and skiing on the same day help you redefine skiing and imagine lines that once felt impossible?
If the weather’s good, I combine skiing and paragliding almost every day. In Verbier, we often take off from Mont Fort or other nearby peaks with friends to access lines deep in the valley or in the resort. It saves long approaches, time, and some sweat. When the snow turns or a descent loses interest, I sometimes stop, pull out the wing, and finish the session flying. It saves my knees too! It’s really my way of pushing limits I couldn’t imagine yesterday. I have huge respect for our elders, who inspired me by being incredible pioneers, showing commitment and innovation in the era of first descents. I draw so much inspiration from athletes around me today, but I always remember that past generations opened the way with unmatched boldness.

How do you manage the image side of your career today, especially on social media?
I’m lucky to work with supportive partners who care about long-term projects. I need to share things that I enjoy and that reflect who I am—always staying true to myself. If a post goes big, cool, that’s a bonus. But what really matters is meaning. Social media helps democratize our sports and make them more mainstream. But the essence is still out there—on the mountain, on the trails, in the air. Social media is just a relay, not the end goal. It’s up to us to use it as a tool to support outdoor culture that’s more than likes or views. That’s why I focus on films: telling real stories, documenting a vision of the mountains, and creating images that last. What remains in the end are the lived experiences and the trace we leave. If I can inspire mountain lovers, that makes me happy.

How is your collaboration with Forward, and what’s next with the brand?
I felt at home right away, since part of the brand is based in Verbier. It’s so cool to have such a close connection with a local brand that runs like a big family of mountain enthusiasts. I showed them an early teaser of the project, and we clicked immediately. It’s awesome when a brand stands close to its riders—I want to give 100% to them, and it gives real meaning to what I do. Skiing icy high-mountain slopes with friends has been a huge inspiration and motivation for me. I’m already excited to launch into new lines this winter at home in Verbier—fingers crossed for a generous winter!

Words and interview by Maxence Gallot for Forward Outdoor.