More than a backflip down the hill

Sam Anthamatten and Xavier De Le Rue have made a name for themselves by winning some of the most prestigious snow competitions: The 2011 Freeride World Tour for Sam and the 2006 Olympics and 2009 FIS Snowboarding World Championship for Xavier. Having been icons in their discipline for decades, one could imagine that Anthamatten, 38, and De Le Rue, 43, would start slowing down. One would be wrong. They continue to find new ways to rewrite the story of mountain and man. “As you get a better feeling for some things, you take more risk than before. But since you do it with more knowledge, it becomes less risky.” Xavier De Le Rue tells us. 

Today, it is with paragliders that they make it to the most inaccessible, and therefore pristine, lines. Antarctica, Alaska, and, more recently, Svalbard, their careers is now dedicated to showing people some of the world's most remote and unexplored wonders.

This also gives them an incomparable first-row seat to the devastating effects of climate change. “The permafrost, the glue that keeps the mountains together, it’s disappearing”, Anthamatten deplores. It has been shifting the tone and goal of their work. “Why don’t we bring something useful, information that opens up possibilities for people?” Sam and Xavier are on a journey to raise awareness and inspire people to make individual changes through films and podcasts. “We need a balance. We don’t have to all live in the woods. We have to progress slowly and be reasonable”, encourages Xavier. 

Sam Anthamatten and Xavier De Le Rue embody the Thule spirit to perfection. Role models on and off the slopes, the two athletes and Thule ambassadors show us how one can dedicate oneself to one’s craft, environment and family. “You’re more than a backflip down the hill,” Sam tells us, appreciating that Thule cares for him as an athlete but also as a husband and father of a little girl. “Everybody is looking out for them as much as for me. It’s like a family.” Xavier agrees. “My vision of the outdoors is just going out in a van with my kids, biking, and doing a bit of everything. I’m so grateful to work with a brand that supports that.”