La Grave BB, a story of the Lagoped Family
|
|
Time to read 4 min
At Lagoped, as you might guess, we are passionate about the mountains and, when we can’t hike or ski there, we enjoy films and short films that immerse us in the daily lives of the Lagoped Family members.
Pierre Louis Cret joined the Lagoped Family in 2019 and participated in writing the film La Grave BB, directed by Pierre Petit.
The film is now available online, and Pierre-Louis tells us how he came up with the idea to tell the behind-the-scenes of La Grave.
The story of the film La Grave BB told by Pierre-Louis Cret
For a few years now, I have been thinking about telling a story. That of a lifestyle, or an atypical way of living: the SkiBum spirit.
But what does that really mean?
What is the SkiBum spirit at La Grave?
Having spent my childhood on skis, in the legendary area of the Glaciers de la Meije cable cars, I was able to get close to real SkiBums.
In fact, I think everyone has a bit of SkiBum in them, and if we had to sum up this way of life, I would say it’s the desire to ride as much as possible, even if it means putting aside material or financial comfort for a ski season.
There is a big difference between someone who will spend their winter in their van with minimal showers, and those who find a balance between work and skiing during the winter.
Yet it is this same passion (the famous Freeride) that drives these people.
To talk about all this, I thought the best way was a film.
Starting from this idea, I contacted Pierre Petit, a professional director and lover of La Grave to help me with this project.
Very excited by the idea, Pierre took the project under his wing and fully committed to the filming and directing of the movie. Despite a torn cruciate ligament in January 2023!!
The project is moving forward, and the first version of the film was completed as early as summer 2023!
It is finally after about ten versions that we can present the final version of the film.
This will be a dive into the world of La Grave, through authentic characters, in an incredible environment!
Summary of the film La Grave BB by Pierre-Louis Cret
“I want to highlight our group of young Freeride skiers, originally from La Grave, who take their winter to enjoy skiing and the mountains.
A particular lifestyle, always on the lookout for the best skiing conditions, even if it means hitting our bank accounts.
But we are not inventing anything; we are clearly inspired by the "ski bums" from several years ago who took their winter to ride, putting aside their material comfort!
An intergenerational film, then, where all the protagonists come together around the same passion: Freeride skiing.”
A word from Pierre Petit, director of the film La Grave BB
“The members of this group of local young people are united by an unbreakable friendship. Their parents are all involved in local life.
Pierre Louis Cret, known as Pilou (24 years old) has decided to dedicate his winter to physical preparation and plans to pass the first tests of the High Mountain Guide diploma.
His brother, Alexis, a paramedic, sometimes comes home at night to jump into his ski boots and join him on the cable car walkway.
Tommy Philippe, co-president of the Derby with his brother, is a carpenter-joiner. Their parents handed over the management of the Chancel refuge to them.
Leeloo Haase (22 years old), now assists her father Didi at the Snowlegend shop, who takes care of guides and clients for freeride outings in the Vallons de la Meije area.
These young people ski in all conditions. Here the "Vallons" are completely off-piste, and you have to navigate an unmarked and unsecured area. Numerous routes, couloirs, and hikes will fill the winter projects. The "elders" keep an eye on them and watch them go skiing, happy.
Bruno Florit runs the Ski Extrem shop. Captivated by this "Gaulish" village, living the dichotomy between the harshness of the place and the arrival in the 90s of riders seeking pure pleasures. He settled there 20 years ago. A skier himself, he talks about the evolution of the sport and the search for pure pleasures.
Petor is one of them; a living legend here. A ski bum, he arrived from the US in the 90s during the fun freeride movement, to get involved in making the film “Vallée X” which helped create the myth of this incredible freeride spot.
Joe Vallone, the American, another freeride legend, plans to take Pilou this winter into the “Y,” one of the most challenging couloirs in the area.
Jean Louis Arneault, Canadian snowboarder is an excellent snowboarder. He is also one of those “foreigners” who came for the myth and settled down. With Pilou, they scramble over the ridges searching for new lines to carve. The passion for sliding and this ever-burning life philosophy impresses the youth.
Through spontaneous encounters, memories, and anecdotes, we dive into the daily lives of these young people.”
La Grave BB, the film
Filmed in the winter of 2022-2023 in La Grave, the film has been available online since February 16, 2024.
He received support from Lagoped, Dynastar Ski, the Téléphériques de la Meije-SATG, Restauberge Reine Meije, Lange Boots, the Tourism Office of the Hautes Vallées La Grave La Meije, and the store D'un Versant à l'Autre.
A true immersion into their daily lives, an authentic conversation with these young people and their parents, in short, the Lagoped team recommends it to you!
Pierre-Louis Cret
Hi, I’m Pierre-Louis, I’m 24 years old, and I do freeride.
I grew up in La Grave, a legendary freeride spot known worldwide. It’s there that I fell in love with the mountains and more specifically with skiing.
Skiing since I was 4 years old, I dedicate as much time as possible to preparing for the high mountain guide diploma.
