Skiing to paradise.
Intro
40 kilometres south of Sion (Valais), behind Val d’Hérens, is Arolla. Snow and mountains are common sights in this resort. So it came as no surprise when Dédé Anzévui became a mountain guide. And while others may call the peaks their home, his connection to the mountains goes even deeper.
Arolla
The small village of Arolla in the Val d'Hérens (Eringer Valley) lies at the foot of majestic mountain peaks and is the starting point for various hiking and ski tours.
Hint
An inspiration for extreme skiers.
The Dix hut high above Arolla: glaciers and 3,000-metre peaks as far as the eye can see.
Mountain guide Dédé Anzévui atop the terrace. Behind him is the majestic Mont Blanc de Cheilon, the region’s highest peak at 3,870 metres.
30 years ago, Dédé tackled this north face, climbing slopes as steep as 73°.
On 207-centimetre skis, no helmet, no airbag. «Suddenly, I slipped on an ice sheet. Below me was a sheer drop. I instinctively rammed my pickaxe into the ice, both skis dangling in the air.»
Dédé‘s ice-blue eyes light up again as he recounts his ascent from Arolla to Dix. One of his many crazy achievements.
Pioneering steep climbs at altitudes only few people in the world have mastered.
Today, Dédé takes his guests on relaxed tours through the mountains around his village.
Calm, but determined, the groups make their way, as sure-footed as chamois.
Even today, his projects are an inspiration to up-and-coming extreme skiers.
But despite his sense of pride, Dédé also knows that he has had a lot of luck in his life. This gives him even more appreciation for the here and now.
At the age of 62, Dédé is always looking up. A cry of pure joy echoes between the mountain walls as he kicks up some powder.
Drinks at 11 a.m.?
Such joie de vivre can work up a thirst! So sometimes ski tours are finished early, and the drinks start to flow from 11 a.m. An ungodly hour for a drink? “I‘m not worried about that”, laughs Dédé. As a young lad, his father – who was also a mountain guide – led a Belgian bishop up 3,790 metres to Pigne d’Arolla.
Bring me up and back down in one piece, and you’ve earned your place in heaven.
«The bishop was over 60 years old and unsteady on his feet. It was a slow climb,» reminisces Dédé. Hopefully someone above is looking out for you, he remembers saying to the bishop. «That’s why I need an intermediary», answered the bishop. «And today that‘s you. Bring me up and back down in one piece, and you‘ve earned your place in heaven. You can even skip confession and mass, so help me God!» the bishop assured him. «Cheers to that!»
There‘s nothing better than letting guests from around the world experience the beauty of the mountains around Arolla.
Views of the mighty crevasses in the glacier. The downhill thrill on untouched snow. The feeling of being on top of the world. Welcome to paradise.
Career - Dédé Anzévui (*1955).
1973: Aspirant certified mountain guide
1975: Certified ski instructor
1978: Certified mountain guide
1985: Head of Security, Swiss Cableways (SBS)
1998: Opening of an off-piste and freeride school in Val Thorens (F)
2009: Opening of Freeride-Experience, a freeride and skitouring company
Highlights and pioneering achievements
1974: Ridges of the Tsa, north face of Petit Mont Collon and north face of Pigne d’Arolla – first descent on skis.
1985: Dent Blanche, south-west face – first descent on skis.
1987 North face of Mont Blanc de Cheilon – first descent on skis.
1989: North face of the Matterhorn – first and (so far) only descent on skis.