Jeremie Heitz: Switzerland's Best Kept Secret

When filmers Huck and Chuck Falquet stumbled upon Jérémie Heitz while shooting for one of FLK Productions’s epic ski vids, it was like a skier finding an undiscovered powder stash. They were blown away by the young ripper’s style, maturity and especially his mad technical skills. These same skills led to a forerunner’s spot at the Nissan Xtreme Verbier by Swatch in 2008 and 2009 and now, at the ripe old age of 21, Jérémie begins his first year on the full FWT. We somehow persuaded the Swiss wunderkind to take a break from slaying epic pre-season Marécotte powder to tell us more. >> Jeremie's Facebook

FWT: At just 21 years old you are one of the youngest riders on the FWT? Shouldn’t you be jibbing handrails in Geneva or hanging out in the snowpark giving the stink eye to tourists instead?

Jérémie: No I was born in a small and amazing ski resort for freeriding and my step-father is a mountain guide so I've been into freeride since I was young. For me it's a natural transition from alpine skiing to freeriding.

 

FWT: What are the advantages and disadvantages of competing on the FWT at such a young age?

Jérémie: The advantages are to bring youthful energy to the discipline and it’s a great step in my future career. The disadvantage is the lack of experience compared to the older riders.

 

FWT: After nine years of ski racing, including two years on the FIS, you turned to freeriding. The two types of skiing are very different but is there any way that your ski racing background helps you in freeride competitions?

Jérémie: Alpine skiing is the best school in the world for learning how to ski.

 

FWT: Jon Olsson is trying to make it to the Olympics because a Swedish alpine racer told him he was just a circus monkey. What is your response when people say that freeskiing is what people do when they can’t make it in ski racing?

Jérémie: Alpine skiing and freeskiing are two completely different disciplines. In freeriding the choice is much more varied, our playground is much bigger and we can turn and jump wherever we want. I chose freeriding because the feelings are more extreme and the contact with the mountain is closer and not because I didn't made it in ski racing.

 

FWT: Your home station, Les Marécottes, is rumoured to be a secret freerider’s paradise. Tell us all about it.

Jérémie: It is a great shooting place. There are a lot of steeps, technical lines, the access is easy and it snows enormously.

 

FWT: You’ve been in several movies in the past few years? Which is your favourite video part of yourself and why?

Jérémie: In Nomads (FLKproduction), because a large part is dedicated to me and we filmed in my home spot, Les Marécottes. And also Legends because I had a great time riding with Jeremy Jones.

 

FWT: Tell us about your trip to South America this summer.

Jérémie: The best part was hiking and riding the first volcano in my entire life. The smell and the sight of the crater were really amazing.

 

FWT: Prior to being a competitor on the Freeride World Tour you were a forerunner at the Verbier Xtreme in 2009 and in 2008. What was it like to drop into the Becs des Rosses with a huge crowd below you and the best freeriders in the world watching you from the top?

Jérémie: It was an amazing feeling to show the best riders what I was able to do and to gain a little bit from their experience. It was one of my best moments in the world of freeride.

 

FWT: Tell us about your ski quiver for the upcoming World Freeride Tour.

Jérémie: I always use the same skis, the SCOTT Pure 193. The flex is stiff for good stability and they are not very wide (135-101-119).

 

FWT: What stage are you most looking forward to on the FWT11 and why?

Jérémie: The event I'm most looking forward to is the one in Sochi because I've never been in Russia, it's an interesting culture and I’m looking forward to the experience of discovering a new continent.

 

FWT: Are there any skiers that you look to for inspiration?

Jérémie: My first inspiration was the Falquet brothers and after that a little bit of Sean Petit. It's the best mix.

 

FWT: What else do you have going for the upcoming season?

Jérémie: We have a new project with the Falquet brothers called Secret Spot based on the Trient valley. To be continued…