Almost frenchman

Glen Plake is the most recognizable American skier in the world, thanks in part to his iconic mohawk and punk rock persona. An unexpected trip to Chamonix, France in the mid-1980’s proved to be a pivotal moment for skiing and his life. Almost forty years later, Plake is still known for the ‘hawk and is still thrilled about the picturesque mountain mecca’s challenging terrain and stunning scenery. Now his second home, Plake returns to Chamonix each winter to spend his days skiing, exploring, and sharing his passion for the sport with others.

They say the best things in life happen when you least expect it. Glen Plake’s version of this adage begins in 1987 in the heart of the French Alps when he unexpectedly found himself in Chamonix, France. He was invited at the last minute as a stand in for an injured skier, to ski in Greg Stump’s revolutionary ski film, “The Blizzard of Ahhh’s.”

At the time, Glen didn’t have a lot going on; he was rehabbing a broken leg, pounding nails, and doing whatever else he could to make ends meet while living in his hometown of South Lake Tahoe, California. One day, the phone rang and on the other end of the line wascinematographer Greg Stump, with an invitation to come to Chamonix, France to be part of his next ski film. One of the film’s cast members had broken her back and they needed a top-notch skier, fast. In typical punk rock fashion, Glen didn’t really care where he was headed. He didn’t know much, or anything really, about Chamonix, he just knew he had a fresh passport and needed a change. In no time, he was heading to Cham on a one-way ticket with his gear and he would figure out the rest later. Little did Plake know, this trip would change his life and the sport of skiing forever.

Upon his arrival, Plake encountered a steep learning curve to understand the history of his surroundings. He found himself in “La Capitale Mondiale du ski et de l'alpinisme” (the world capital of skiing and mountaineering) and although he had never heard of Jacques Balmat, the first person to reach the summit of Mont Blanc in 1786, his attitude would change quickly. His respect for the surrounding mountains and those that came before him would grow fast, as would his fondness for the Chamonix village.

“At the time, I could have been rightly described as a typical arrogant American. But after three weeks of filming, everything changed. When the shoot was wrapped, I announced to the entire team on set that I wasn't going home, I was staying in Chamonix,” recalls Plake, beginning the story with his characteristic laugh that has become one of his trademarks over the years. In fact, that laughter is such an integral part of him that it even rivals his legendary mohawk.

Chamonix impresses with its fantastic Alpine scenery, watched over by the majestic Mont Blanc, which at 15,774 feet is the highest mountain in Europe west of Russia. Anyone who has ever taken the aerial tramway up to Aiguille du Midi and skied down Vallee Blanche and Mer de Glace knows exactly what we are talking about. Plake quickly fell in love with Chamonix’s tremendous beauty and endless possibilities to appreciate fulfilling moments in the mountains. Like his wife Kimberly, he found something that he was truly in harmony with. 

For Glen, skiing is a way of life. He has spent his entire career pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on skis, and he continues to do so today. Now he is in his 50s, but he still skis with the same energy and enthusiasm as he did when he was a young pro skier. He can often be found skiing the famous Vallee Blanche, a 20-kilometer off-piste run that winds its way down the glacier from the top of the Aiguille du Midi. And Chamonix offers him endless possibilities for incredible outdoor activities.

”It's an exceptional place in all seasons. It all takes place at high altitude, which is just so magical and tempting. You can go skiing, you can go climbing, and do so much other stuff. If I skied Vallee Blanche every day until the day I die, I would certainly die happy,” enthuses the American, who has become almost French in a way.

“I was taken by the fantastic nature that surrounds Chamonix. Weather permitting, I ski every day. But beyond that, I am fascinated by another fact, summed up in one sentence by a good friend of mine: 'The best thing about Chamonix is how easy it is to get out of it.' He wanted to say that the logistics here are remarkably simple. You can be in Italy and Switzerland in no time, and you can fly from Geneva to wherever your heart desires.”

Thanks to his career in skiing and his convenient location in the Alps, Plake has taken advantage of the ease of travel from Chamonix to experience dozens, if not hundreds of unique destinations as well as endless opportunities to emerge himself in different cultures. In this respect, he is a true culturalist who has been welcomed by the local French community.

“I love skiing immensely from many points of view. Learning about different cultures is certainly an extremely important part of it. Skiing has given me a broader view of the world. I enjoy coming to Begunje and being part of Slovenian culture. I just love hanging out with the people who have been making such great skis at Elan for almost 80 years. I have similar feelings in Italy, where I am collaborating with another brand in the development of ski boots. The same goes for Chamonix, which I consider my second home.”

“I'm often asked if I'm a fan of the French way of life. Yes, I definitely am. What impresses me most is their easy-going approach to life without a definite plan. This means that everything can change in an instant, which I also find very convenient. At the same time, I have to say that Chamonix is not a typical reflection of the French lifestyle. It is just too international. On Rue du Docteur Paccard, the main promenade, you can hear all the world's languages at any time. And it’s this colourful-ness that delights me. I’m aware that I’m a estranger in Chamonix. But I have received a very warm welcome, nevertheless. Kimberly and I live right in the center of town, opposite the town hall, and we enjoy it immensely. We haven’t felt like tourists for a long time. We know restaurants that only locals go to, and over the years we've learned to speak French decently enough. We can't hide our American accents, but we can communicate quite well.”

"We have a joke that comes from the word 'Chamoniard', which in French equates to a resident of Chamonix. In a way, it could also be a compound word of Chamonix, American and Canard (duck). That's why my friends here call me an American-Chamoniard duck.”

We ended up carving on and off the groomers, zip lined, played around in bumps, and played in the unique zone called “THE STASH,” which is a natural version of a terrain park. 

Although a joke, the nickname is fitting because of Glen’s part-time French residency and love of water. In the summer, he has become an accomplished water-skier, cyclist, and has raced the Baja 1000 on both two wheels and four. In the winter, he can be found exploring the Sierra Nevada backcountry and skiing Mammoth Mountain.

“I like to say I have two lives. One above 6,500 feet above sea level and one below that. I certainly can’t complain. It's true that I am a skier at heart. But I'm also a kind of amphibian who also enjoys water.”

Looking back on how Plake became the most recognizable American skier in the world, it was this unexpected trip to Chamonix to film "The Blizzard of Ahhh's" that proved to be a pivotal moment in his life and had a significant impact on the world of skiing. The movie introduced a new level of athleticism and creativity to the sport, resulting in the modern “Freeskiing” era. Chamonix’s challenging terrain, mountain 
beauty, and endless opportunities to explore fostered Glen’s respect for the mountains. And the welcoming community of like-minded skiers who shared his passion for the mountains and appreciation for skiing culture inspired him to make Chamonix his second home.