Vars and its ambassadors

Julien Prévot and Maxime Buffet

This winter season, Vars is proud to present its two ambassadors: Julien Prévot and Maxime Buffet. Beyond the passion and thrill of skiing, they embody the essential values of Vars: nature, dynamism, sportsmanship and conviviality. Discover the world of our two ambassadors, friends both on and off the slopes!

Published on 12 December 2024

Esprits Libres

The Vars slopes

In the vibrant world of skiing, two names stand out in Vars: Julien Prévot and Maxime Buffet. These freeride ambassadors, with their unique backgrounds and shared passion for the mountains, embody the spirit of freedom and adventure that characterizes this outdoor sport. From their first slides in the Southern Alps to their friendship forged on the snowy slopes, Julien and Maxime share more than just a passion for skiing, they share a vision of life where every descent is a new adventure, every summit a new challenge.

Their adventures continue in Vars. Let’s embark on their stories together, exploring their beginnings, their inspirations, and their undisputed love of skiing.

Their beginnings

in the world of skiing...

from Marseille to Vars!

Julien: I was born in Marseille, but it was in Vars that it all began. I was already on skis at the age of 2, and it was with my family that I caught the skiing bug. The real breakthrough came when I was 16, on the KL slope at Chabrières on my father’s skis. That experience gave me an unforgettable adrenalin rush. Since then, I’ve never stopped skiing, with a preference for freeride. Competitions were the extra something that made me evolve, travel and push back my limits.

Maxime:Born in Briançon, I was lucky enough to have a father who was a ski instructor. I started skiing as soon as I could walk. At first, it was just a game, but very quickly it turned into a passion. By the age of 7, I was already into downhill skiing, but my thing was more moguls and freestyle. I followed an engineering career path, but the mountains were calling me. My first freeride competition in Chamonix was a turning point. Freeriding is more than a sport, it’s a personal quest.

A friendship at the top

Julien:We met in Chamonix. We quickly realized that we shared the same passion for powder and challenges. Since then, we’ve been skiing together, whether in competition or just for fun.

Maxime:We’re both freeriders at heart, and together we go further.

Vars, the birthplace

a passion

Much more than a station…

Julien:I learned to ski here. Vars is more than a resort, it’s a piece of my history.

Maxime:Vars is a natural tableau, an incredible playground. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, and every time I come, it’s a new challenge.

Beyond the skiing…

Julien:Mountaineering, paragliding, diving, surfing, cycling… anything that makes me feel alive.

Maxime: I have a passion for every season: paragliding, mountaineering, climbing and mountain biking. The mountains are my playground all year round.

Our ambassadors’ outstanding victories…

Julien:The Nendaz Freeride, in Switzerland. Reaching the finals was a dream. And Bansko, in Bulgaria, with Maxime, was magical.

Maxime:Bansko was the best. A week of pure freeride with friends, and finishing on the podium with Julien was unforgettable.

Your favorite spots?

Julien:The Eyssina couloirs are crazy, like Yéti Sup and La Main for example.

Maxime: The faces of Eyssina have a great atmosphere, and when you’re at the top you have a view of the Ecrins: the aesthetics of this mountain are magnificent!

Your idols?

Julien:Candide Thovex, the freeride master. He made me dream and still inspires me. In fact, he won the first edition of the Red Bull linecatcher here in Vars.

Maxime: Jérémie Heitz, with his unique style, combining alpinism and freeride. He pushes the limits of what we thought possible.

Adventure plans for two!

Julien & Maxime: What we hope will be an exceptional ski season in Vars, freeride competitions including the Freeride World Tour Qualifier and an expedition to India. Pure adventure!

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