The Freeride Coach label
A meeting that sparked an adventure
It all began in 2005, with camps run by Géraldine Fasnacht for young riders from Verbier and the Val de Bagnes. Through these encounters, Géraldine discovered the joy of passing on what years of experience at the highest level had taught her, on the snow and in the mountains alike.
That experience is a champion’s: eight years on the Freeride World Tour, eleven international wins, twenty-three podiums around the world and three victories at the Xtreme Verbier, in 2002, 2003 and 2009.
Then came a decisive meeting, with Estelle Balet.
In this young freerider, Géraldine found immense talent, a thirst for learning and, above all, big dreams. Estelle, for her part, saw in Géraldine the role model whose footsteps she wanted to follow. Her goal was clear: to rise to the highest level in the world and, one day, win the Xtreme Verbier in her turn.
At the request of Estelle and her parents, Géraldine decided to go far beyond simple sporting advice. Around her young athlete she built a true coaching and support structure, designed specifically for the demands of top-level freeride.
Out of this human and sporting adventure, Mountain Line Foundation was born in 2010.
The aim is as simple as it is ambitious: to support talented young freeriders, pass on the experience gained at the highest level and give them the means to achieve their greatest dreams. To shape the champions of tomorrow.
Estelle quickly rose to join the world’s elite. In 2014, she finished second in the Freeride World Tour overall rankings. In 2015 and again in 2016, she won the overall title and became freeride world champion. She also fulfilled her dream by winning the legendary Xtreme Verbier.
The adventure grew with the arrival of Emilien Badoux. Over the years, the experience built up in the field allowed Mountain Line Foundation’s coaches to develop a true coaching method: technical and physical preparation, knowledge of the mountains, risk management, competition strategy, mental preparation and the passing on of experience.
From this expertise a genuine Freeride Coach label was born, its value confirmed over the generations and by the results of young athletes such as Liam Rivera and Sybille Blanjean.
What began as a meeting between a champion and a young girl determined to make her dream come true has thus become a philosophy of transmission.
Spot talent. Pass on experience. Support the person. And give every young athlete the means to reach their full potential.
That is Mountain Line Foundation’s DNA.
