Enak Gavaggio

Surname: Gavaggio

First name: Enak

Age: 40-something

Discipline: Freestyle

Achievements:

5th place at the Vancouver Olympic Games

7 medals at the X Games

5 medals at the Ski Cross World Championships

4th and 5th place at the Freeride World Championships

How would you summarise your career?

When did you start your sport and why? What did you like about it?
I think I started practising sport at a very young age. My first avalanche at the age of 13 in the Mottet area of Valmorel, my first extreme skiing runs, cross-country skiing on the counter-slopes from the age of 10... I think I've always had a desire for experience and adventure. Without wanting to sound pretentious, I can say that I have tried my hand at every snow-related sport, whether on snow, water, in the air or on land. I am eternally curious, curious about sports and curious about the people who practise them.

Key moments in your career (competitions / films made / sponsors signed)In all honesty, I don't think I was ever a racing beast. However, I always loved the events themselves. My track record proves it: I always loved the race on the day itself. The preparation, the concentration, the fact that you only get one chance. I never managed to perform well over an entire season. I was far too curious and needed to escape, to get away. So it was impossible for me to stick with a single discipline for a whole season.
To come back to the question, the answer is simple: my life, my love of the mountains, began when I joined the Ski Club des Arcs. Just imagine: one of my coaches had been in Apocalypse Snow. And then I had the chance to train with all the coaches at Les Arcs, and my passion for skiing only grew stronger. In the end, thanks to the Ski Club, I realised that skiing was my whole life.

Any anecdotes about you and your sport?
You could write a novel about this question! I don't have one anecdote, I have hundreds! We could go for a coffee and I could tell you all about it.

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What is your fondest memory of Les Arcs?
I think it's the trust my station has placed in me during all the events I've created or participated in. That's probably the strongest thing: when your station gives you the keys to its communication for an event... Between the Freeride des Arcs, GMX, and Bug Up & Down, I think that's my fondest memory.

What is your favourite spot?
Well, I'm not allowed to say that!!! (laughs) But looking back, I'm literally in love with the Aiguille Rouge run. From the summit of Les Arcs to Villaroger... As the first tracks, it's just completely crazy. I don't think there's a single run in the world that can match it.

What is your typical day of skiing like?
Easy: first lift with friends. Then, take your pick: a stop at the Bulle Café, the Bois de l’Ours or the Sanglier qui fume... And to end the day, a cool, refreshing drink, like the snow.

If Les Arcs were a film or a piece of music?
Easy: Apocalypse Snow!

Any memorable falls to share?
So, I'm not going to talk about skiing falls, but snow falls. About ten years ago, it snowed almost every day for a week. But only at night and in the morning... By the end of the week, we had had seven days of powder snow. We couldn't take it anymore, we were stuffed like ducks! We prayed for the snow to stop. It was completely crazy: every morning, powder snow, tracks to make in all directions on the slopes and off-piste.

Any advice on how to get the most out of Les Arcs?
The rule is simple: ski between noon and two, when everyone else is at lunch. And above all, go skiing on days when the weather is bad. You will see that the mountain is different: you can feel its power, its strength... and you feel truly alive on those days.

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