Vivian Bruchez: From European Cup to steep face rider
Vivian Bruchez, born in 1986 in Chamonix Mont-Blanc, is an extreme skier and alpinist. He began his career as a teenager in alpine racing, skiing slalom and giant slalom in the Fis and European Cups, later switching to ski cross and freeriding. He completed his training as a mountain guide at the world-famous ENSA (École National de Ski et d'Alpinism) in Chamonix. He is also a youth coach at the Argentière ski club.
His love of skiing and his enthusiasm for the mountains gave rise to his fascination with steep faces. It is therefore not surprising that he soon set out in search of new and unclimbed routes in the highly frequented Mont Blanc massif! Between 2012 and 2016, he managed 20 first ascents in just 4 years. In addition to his endeavours in his home Mont Blanc massif, Bruchez also takes part in international expeditions. He is planning another project in the Himalayas for next autumn.
His most important descents include:
Descent via the Éperon Migot du Aiguille du Chardonnet (3844m). Together with Kilian Jornet, 2012.
Descent via Arete Kuffner from Mont Maudit (4465m). Together with Sébastien Montaz Rosset, 2013.
Descent via the west face of Mont Blanc (4808m) with subsequent ascent of the Aiguille du Bionassay (4052m) and subsequent descent via its north face. Together with Bastien Fleury, 2013.
Descent via the north face of the Aiguille Blanche de Peuterey (4112m). Together with Tom Lafaille, Boris Langenstein, Tiphaine Duperier and Guillaume Pierrel, 2020