Much more than a skier

Lifestyle
Reading Time 5 Minutes
Martin Tekše
Lea Bouard personal archive, Jernej Leskovar

Funky Interview

Lea Bouard is a freestyle skier who competed at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. With Franco-German blood flowing through her veins, she has competed for both France and Germany throughout her extensive career. She sees skiing as a form of dancing on snow, but Lea is more than just a skier. She is a fun-loving girl who enjoys the outdoors. In summer, she swaps her skis for a surfboard and catches waves to work on her balance, which comes in handy when skiing over bumps. As a member of Elan's W Studio, she created her own vision of the Ripstick 94W skis as part of the We Create project that perfectly captures her dynamic lifestyle and her unique blend of love and passion for winter and summer, for the mountains and the sea. For Lea, no winter is too cold and no summer too hot.

WHICH THREE WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF? 

Positive, fun-loving, and open-minded.

WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SKIING?

My passion is indescribable, it's all at once, freedom, joy, adrenaline...

DID YOU HAVE ANY ROLE MODELS WHILE GROWING UP?

No, but I watched a lot of what the boys were doing and copied it. 

WHAT DOES SPEED MEAN TO YOU?

Adrenaline, I want always more. More speed means more adrenaline. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SKIING MOMENT?

Skiing deep powder on a bluebird sky. 

COULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT SKIING DAY?

When I can share my passion with other freeriders on a sunny powder day. I like feeling happy and seeing others smile as well.

YOUR BEST AND WORST SKIING MEMORY?

The best of the best was being alone at the top of the mountain in British Columbia before riding my biggest and steepest line. The second-best memory was when I was Dual Moguls World Champion in 2019 Universiade as a mogul skier. Reaching the top step of the podium is indescribable! 

My worst memory was when I broke my collarbone 2014. It was the first time I broke something. It's not the feeling of having broken something that's the worst, but the feeling of knowing that the season is over, and I couldn't ski for a month.

WHAT WOULD YOU BE IF YOU WERE NOT A SKIER?

I would be a dancer, because for me, skiing is dancing on snow. It's the same thing! I have loved to dance since the day I was born.

WHO WOULD YOU VOTE FOR THE BEST SKIER OF ALL TIME?

Candide Thovex. 

WHAT OTHER SPORTS DO YOU PRACTICE?

Dancing, trail running, cycling, mountain biking, yoga, surfing... 

WHEN WINTER IS OVER, DO YOU START COUNTING DOWN FOR THE NEXT ONE OR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SUMMER?

I love all board sports, so I need the summer break to surf and longboard in beautiful places. But of course, four months is far too long not to ski, so I'm looking forward to going to the glaciers in the summer.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER ACTIVITIES?

I hate just lying on a beach or anywhere else and do nothing. I am always on the move; I travel to explore the world. I follow the flow and the vibe of always having good times, even in the summer.

FAVORITE SUMMER AND WINTER PLACES?

My favorite winter spot is where I call home: the French Alps. Because I love coming back at the end of my ski trips to wash my things and to do my papers and my professional appointments. Just kidding, that's not the fun part of coming home. It's home because I feel safe again and it feels good to see my family and all the people I love again. Friends are important in life, and they will always support your choices, but also give you good advice when you have doubts. My favorite summer place is Hossegor. It is where I go almost every summer in September after the holidays to surf.

WHAT WAS YOUR LAST VACATION?

Hossegor last September.

WHERE WOULD YOU GO IF YOU HAD A WEEKEND, A WEEK, AND A MONTH – AND MONEY WAS NO OBJECT?

I would take my stuff and explore every country and every city. I would travel around the world.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?

Difficult to say, it depends on my current mood and plans. It can be streetwear, sportswear, trendy girly glam, casual chic, elegant, or sexy.

DO YOU WEAR JEWELRY OR DO YOU HAVE A LUCKY CHARM?

I have a bracelet, necklace, earrings, rings, and I never take them off even for skiing and sports! I prefer gold or silver and good quality, so I don't lose them and do not have to change them. My lucky charm is my little "sun" tattoo just under the collarbone that I broke, to remind me in the morning when I look in the mirror that I'm a little sunshine and everything will be fine.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR CHARITY AND FOR REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINT?

I travel by public transport when possible, carpooling, walking, or cycling when possible. I practice composting and recycling and I do my shopping in organic supermarkets. 

WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM (HOCKEY, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL ...) ?

To be honest, I don't have a TV, so I never watch these sports... I always watch skiing to improve myself. 

LAST BOOK, MOVIE, CONCERT, THEATRE, EXHIBITION?

I never watch movies, don't do concerts, theatre, or exhibitions. I don't have the time, or I don't take the time for that. I'd rather be outside. Last book was in 2020 during the Covid quarantine, something about your mindset. I love to draw and the last time I painted was also during Covid because I had a lot of time. 

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?

I have a big cat with odd eyes, a little fluffy tiger because it’s a Maine Coon.

DO YOU COOK YOURSELF?

Yes, I love to cook and do some baking.

WHAT IS THE BEST DISH YOU CAN MAKE?

Risotto with noix de Saint-Jacques. 

WHAT ARE YOU MOST IN AWE OF?

Being part of the extreme sports movie titled Human Extreme.

GUIDING PRINCIPLE IN LIFE?

Success and failure are two sides of the same coin.

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