When he is not running, Kilian Jornet skis with mastery on extreme lines. This aspect of his character is not the most publicized, yet some of the Catalan’s achievements in this area rank him among the best steep skiers on the planet. The latest of these was the descent of the Breitind couloir in mid-February, not far from his Norwegian home of Romsdal. A 1500 meter monster that could be rated 5.6, with sections that he announces at over 60 degrees of steepness. We chat with Kilian Jornet about this incredible line, his vision of steep skiing, but also on the steep skiing guidebook he released this winter with two local guide friends.
This year, Kilian Jornet did not go south to the Alps as he used to do to compete in his favorite race, the Pierra Menta. He is currently concentrating his energy on his next Himalayan expedition, the details of which are still unclear. As usual, his training is centered around ski mountaineering when the snow covers his northern Norwegian playground. More than just accumulating an incredible amount of positive altitude difference, the last winner of the UTMB has a real passion for steep skiing.
Drawing a line is something I really like
The Breitind line. ©Kilian Jornet
The Breitind. ©Kilian Jornet
Alpine Mag: Where does this passion for steep skiing come from?
Kilian Jornet: At the very beginning, I discovered the discipline with Stéphane Brosse, when I lived in the Aravis mountains in the early