Kilian Jornet's Skiing Adventure in Chourum Olympique

Descending into the Chourum Olympique Cave

The Chourum Olympique cave is discovered in Dévoluy, France. Inside, skiers tackle a unique challenge: navigating a narrow, snowy passage within a cavern, ascending a steep, icy slope. The cave's viewpoint is a hole in the ceiling, offering a glimpse of the snowy mountain range. The activity is adventuresome and visually striking. The skiers are from a first-person point of view, giving viewers an immersive experience perhaps like no other in skiing.

The peculiarity of cave skiing

Cave skiing is skiing through narrow snow passages within caves—an extreme sport that combines the thrill of skiing with the novelty of navigating through a cave. The cave's shape determines the passageway, making every turn unpredictable. As a result, skiers need precision in technique and commitment. The sport is a subcategory of extreme skiing, which involves navigating challenging and sometimes dangerous terrain to reach remote locations. The Chourum Olympique cave in Dévoluy, France, is one of the rare places in the world where this is possible.

Why it is important / mainstream interest

France has the highest number of off-track skiers; many experts into the sport. Cave skiing is one of many extreme and extreme-recreational sports in the mainstream. According to Outdoor Insights, the number of off-track skiers in France increased by 15 percent since 2015. These off-track skiers seek new challenges. There is a cave proving to be a magnet to these skiers. Skiers also may be motivated by "the magic" of the setting of the cave. A few caves are a destination for extreme skiers who desire to ski inside. The risks are heavy. The challenge of unpredictable terrain is made more intense in a cave. One skier says, "It's the GPS in our minds, with skis on our feet, and the heart pounding."

Yea skiing through a cave

An exclusive off-track route

The Chourum Olympique route in Dévoluy, France is the centerpiece of the trip. This place is known for its magical alpine settings. The cave through which skiers ride is built of steep, icy slopes, snowy passages, and a mountain-range view through a hole above. The skiing experience is exceptional—crystalline white ice, narrow slopes that do not accommodate missteps, and tight turns that reward precision. The route is marked as "extraordinary and challenging." Scenes reveal absences that outsiders would not expect. The sketchier the line, the more the thrill. The rewards are also different. The journey ends in the sky: From the cave, the skiers have view of snowy mountain ranges through a hole in the ceiling.

skiers' perspective on the Chourum

The first-person perspective of the trip immerses viewers in the experience. The first-person point of view is an uncommon angle in ski videos. Viewers have a sense of being part of the group. The journey is ultimately thrilling, but with an introspective tinge.

Skiers' experience on the route

Here, the terrain itself is the goal and its daunting nature is evident. Footage shows glimpses of an icy slope—narrow, steep, and winding. It is an intimidating scene. The viewpoint is a window to the exterior: skiers have the unique spectacle of a snowy mountain range through a hole in the ceiling, as they ski up steeply. As the skiers ascend the slope, their vantage shifts dramatically, offering a panoramic view of the snowy mountain range spread out below.

Practical guidance for a cave skiing trip

The basics of the trip

• Travel: Book a trip to Dévoluy, France, and get in touch with skiers into the experience. A guide is necessary.
• The experience: Arrive early in the day to maximize sunlight. The route is 1.5 kilometers long with a 500 meter vertical gain. The terrain is entirely off-track and offers a varied, stunning terrain of snow, ice, and steep sections.
• Preparation: The journey requires preparation and safety measures. Safety gear includes avalanche kit, a helmet, transceiver (e.g. drones, snow boards), probe, shovel, and appropriate skiwear.

The startling experience

Experience this skiing phenomenon for the first time: Skiers will never forget the thrill of navigating a narrow, icy slope, ascending the cave, with the stunning view of a mountain range through the cave's ceiling.