Jean-Yves Fredriksen

Athlete talk

How and when did you start skiing, how has it evolved ever since and what got you into freeskiing?
I started skiing young in Les Vosges. I competed until I was 15 year old and was destroyed by coaches. Stopped down hill skiing for 3 years (started ski jumping and cross-country racing) and then back again for the French ski instructor courses. Then only ski tour, couloir, freeride ... in the Alps, Himalayas, Andes, New Zealand, Baffin Island, Norway...
 
Who were/ are your idols on and off the hill?
Ingemar Stenmark when young
Chris Davenport is another skier
Xavier Bongart as a climber
 
What does skiing mean to you personally?
When I pack away my climbing and flying stuff in november I am very sad.
When I pack away my skiing stuff end of may generally, I am very sad too
 
What were your 3 biggest accomplishments on hill and why?
Azazel, new route on trango tour (6000m) in 2005, 21 days on the wall with very very good friends
Les papas, new route on the very new face of les drus, 9 days on the wall with martial, simply and friendly at home
North face of col des droites on skis, 800m, 60°, 3 month after my mountain mentor’s death in les droites north face
 
What aspect of skiing thrills you the most?
It has to be somewhere new, with a friend, I have to feel elastic on my skis and it happens just a few days in the winter. generally, 1 or 2 glasses of fendant help ... 
 
In what conditions and what terrain do enjoy riding the most? 
Old virgin and cold snow are the best. It is soft, elastic (redound), untouched, + if you have surface hoarfrost, you have the sound (KSssssssssss, KSssssssssssssss) when it is rolling in the steep. You know what I mean .... 
 
Any activities that aren’t ski related?
one wife, two girls (4 and 8), climbing, parapente, violon
 
How do you manage to combine family/ friends and job?
balance, 100% use of the time, rarely sit down, skiing by night, working around home, one trip in himalaya per year max. this is the question, no answer, big dande
 
Please answer, if possible, with one word only.
Trick/Move: drinking
Band: irish
Movie: the one i haven't seen yet
Book: mike horn
Drink: homemade yellowplum
Food: oyster
Country: chile
Resort/Place to ski: the one I never been yet
Car: tuk tuk
 
What do you like about SCOTT? 
people who work there are very open and amicable. I am always very welcome.
 
What are your favorite SCOTT products? 
Skis are very different. Today, I go there, I will meet that snow, this steepness, I take this ski and not this one.
 
What SCOTT products are you using this year? 
I would be very happy with the megadozer and the powder if hervé (the ski product manager) does not have any other idea ...
 
Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? 
on everest without O2 with my parapent or my skis
in the top 5 on any FWquest
healthy and alive
 
What sponsors do you ride for besides SCOTT?
Petzl 
 
People you feel you need to thank
My wife
My mentor
 
Whats playing on your iPod right now?
no ipod