Sylvain Saudan is an extreme skier, dubbed "skier of the impossible." He is noted for skiing down large and steep mountains, including those in the Himalayas. In 2007 he survived a helicopter crash in Kashmir. He is considered to be the father of extreme skiing and that has given him the name "skier of the impossible". He has the most difficult 18 descents to his credit. In mountains people are usually known for first ascent of high and difficult peaks but he is famous for first descents. He has skied down Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America; Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps; Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa; Nun peak in Kargil; and a number of other peaks in Nepal and the Karakoram. For his 50th birthday, he skied down Japan's Mount Fuji without snow . Saudan?s crowning achievement came in 1982 when, at age 46, he skied down Pakistan?s 26,470-foot-high Gasherbrum I, or Hidden Peak. It was the longest 50-degree ski descent ever accomplished?and very well might still be. Additionally, he pioneered and perfected the ability/technique to "jump turn" on steep inclines. 

September 23rd, 1936 in Lausanne  /  Died:   Jul 14th, 2024