Athletes, winners

They are our ambassadors

Our champions

From one generation to the next, La Toussuire has nurtured a new generation of snow sports and competitive sports enthusiasts. From the legends who have made their mark on history to the champions who are thrilling the resort today, not forgetting the young talents who will write the next chapters, discover the men and women who fly the flag for La Toussuire.

Yesterday, today, tomorrow: our champions

Our predecessors won their competitions on simple boards. They trained our champions, who were able to embrace technical advances and become part of sporting history. These champions paved the way and inspired the current generation, who are performing at the very highest level. In turn, this generation is guiding the young people who will take up the torch and write their own names in history. Team spirit is there to guide their every step. Sportsmanship is passed down from generation to generation; passion is shared across the ages. With them, and thanks to them, the whole resort trains every day and comes out on top!

Hall of Fame

René Collet

Born in Fontcouverte-la-Toussuire in 1930, René Collet was one of the pioneers of alpine skiing in La Toussuire. A specialist in speed events, he won the pre-Olympic downhill race in Cortina d’Ampezzo in 1954 before being selected for the 1956 Winter Olympics.

A member of the French national team, he went on to become a ski instructor and helped to pass on his passion for skiing.

Achievements:

1st in the pre-Olympic downhill in Cortina in 1954.
Selected for the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina.

Jean-Pierre Augert

Born in 1946 in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Jean-Pierre Augert grew up in La Toussuire and took his first turns on the slopes of the resort, which was then booming.

Talented and determined, he joined the French national team and quickly made a name for himself at the very highest level, particularly in giant slalom. His career came to an abrupt end at the age of just 30, when he was swept away by an avalanche in his native mountains. Today, La Toussuire honours his memory and legacy: the resort’s slalom training stadium proudly bears his name.

Achievements:

3rd in the French Championships in 1967.
Military champion in Lebanon in 1967.
Selected for the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble.

Jean-Noël Augert

Born in 1949, Jean-Noël Augert is one of the greatest figures in French alpine skiing. An undisputed slalom specialist, he claimed the world championship title in 1970 and won three Crystal Globes (1969, 1971, 1972) as well as 13 World Cup victories. Despite a premature end to his career following the crisis within the French team in 1973, he held this record unchallenged for over fifty years, before being equalled by Clément Noël in January 2025.

Hailing from a veritable dynasty of champions in La Toussuire — he is the cousin of Jean-Pierre Augert and the uncle of Jean-Pierre Vidal — he was a skiing giant who brought pride and renown to La Toussuire.

Honours:

French Slalom Champion in 1968 and 1970
13 World Cup slalom victories
2 World Cup giant slalom victories
3 Crystal Globes in slalom (1969, 1971 and 1972)
World Champion in 1970 at Val Gardena in slalom

Maurice Adrait

Affectionately known as ‘Momo’, this native of La Toussuire was a visionary coach and a leading figure in French skiing. A mentor to exceptional champions — from the great Carole Merle to Jean-Pierre Vidal — he put his high standards and his expertise in skiing at the service of performance. Later, as head of press relations for the French Ski Federation, he became the confidant and pillar of a golden generation (Jean-Baptiste Grange, Alexis Pinturault, Tessa Worley…).

Having passed away in 2026, this colourful figure is remembered as a deeply generous man and a passionate ambassador, who helped put his native Maurienne on the map far beyond our mountains.

Jean-Pierre Vidal

Born in 1977 and a product of the La Toussuire Ski Club, Jean-Pierre Vidal grew up at the heart of a true alpine dynasty.

After overcoming serious injuries, he achieved the greatest feat of his career by becoming Olympic slalom champion at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002.

A leading figure on the world circuit in the early 2000s, he racked up a string of prestigious World Cup victories, notably in Kitzbühel.

Now a television pundit for Eurosport, president of the La Toussuire Ski Club and vice-president of the Savoie Committee in La Toussuire, this local lad remains the resort’s most successful ambassador.

Honours:

World Ski Champion (junior category) in 1990
World University Champion in 1999
Double French champion in 2001 (slalom and giant slalom)
1st at the World Cup event in Kranjska Gora in 2001
Gold medallist at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games
3rd in the overall slalomWorld Cup standings in 2002
Military World Champion in 2004 (giant slalom)
French champion in 2004 (giant slalom)

Vanessa Vidal

Born in 1974 and the elder sister of Jean-Pierre Vidal, Vanessa, too, is a great asset to La Toussuire and her family of champions. A seasoned slalom specialist, she has enjoyed a remarkable international career, competing in two Olympic Games (highlighted by an excellent 7th place in Salt Lake City in 2002) and four World Championships. Crowned French slalom champion in 2006, she reigned for over ten years amongst the world’s best female skiers.

Honours:

World Ski Champion (junior category) in 1987
2nd in the overall slalom standings of the European Cup in 1999
7th at the World Championships in 2000 (special slalom)
French runner-up in 2001
7th at the World Cup event in Saalbach in 2002
7th at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games in 2002
Frenchslalomchampion in 2006

Lionel Bonnel

A ski instructor, mountain guide, farmer and accomplished athlete, Lionel Bonnel single-handedly embodies the spirit of our mountains. In both summer and winter, this endurance enthusiast excels on all terrains: ski mountaineering with CAF Excellence (notably setting a historic record on the Chamonix–Zermatt route in 21 hours), multi-sport adventure races and major ultra-trails (victories in the 6000D, the Grand Raid 73 and the Ultra Tour du Beaufortain). In La Toussuire, he shares his love for the region and the art of pushing one’s limits on a daily basis.

Achievements:

3-time winner of the Trail de l’étendard (2014–2015–2018)
Two-time winner of the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise (2010–2011)
Winner of the Grand Raid 73 in 2015
Winner of the Ultra Tour du Beaufortain in 2015
Winner of the Sky Race du Pays des Ecrins in 2013
Winner of the Trail Galibier Thabor in 2012
Winner of the legendary 6000D in 2010

William Turnes

A former cyclist and founder of the International Ski School in La Toussuire, William Turnes set himself a crazy challenge: to return to competitive cycling at the age of 39, after an 18-year break. A challenge that proved a resounding success. Having become one of France’s top amateur cyclists and an ambassador for La Maurienne, he has racked up podium finishes and tricolour jerseys, eventually winning a bronze medal at the Masters World Time Trial Championships. A striking example of tenacity and passion on two wheels.

William passed away in 2025; this great champion and visionary leaves a huge void in La Toussuire. A key figure in raising the resort’s profile — notably by attracting the Tour de France there — he leaves behind a legacy of generosity, a pioneering spirit and an indelible mark on the hearts of the entire resort.

Achievements:

3rd in the UCI Masters Time Trial World Championships in 2019
FFC French Masters Time TrialChampion in 2019
3rd in La Marmotte in 2016
Winner of the DT Swiss Challenge for ‘Best French Cyclosportif’ in 2016
Winner of numerous cyclosportives such as La Time, La Dromoise and La Lozerienne
5th in the Étape du Tour in 2015
FSGT French Veterans Time Trial Champion in 2014

Today’s Champions

Lorna Bonnel

Originally from Fontcouverte-La Toussuire, Lorna Bonnel ranks amongst the world’s elite in ski mountaineering. An exceptional athlete, she has built up an impressive list of achievements, including three world championship titles (in the team and relay events) and victories in legendary races such as the Pierra Menta, the Trophée Mezzalama and the Tour du Rutor.

She also holds the record for the Chamonix–Mont Blanc round trip in ski mountaineering (6 hours 52 minutes 01 seconds), she now excels in ultra-trail running, notably winning the Traversée Nord de l’Échappée Belle (96 km and 7,000 m elevation gain).

As a mid-mountain guide, this passionate ambassador promotes La Toussuire far beyond our valleys.

Achievements:

RECORD in ski mountaineering: Chamonix–Mont Blanc Summitand back in 6h 52′ 01″
Three-time world champion in team and relay ski mountaineering in 2017 and 2019
Twice third at the 2019 World Championships ( individual and combined)

MAJOR RACES:

Winner of the Mezzalama (support event for the Long-Distance World Championships) in 2019
Winner of the Tour du Rutor 2024
2nd at the Adamello in 2021
Winner of the Pierra Menta 2025
Winner of the Transcavallo 2019
Winner of the Northern Crossing of the Echappée Belle Trail Race

Léna Bonnel

Born in 1996, Léna Bonnel brilliantly carries on the family tradition alongside her father Lionel, her sister Candice and her cousin Lorna. A physiotherapist by profession, this athlete – a member of the French Ski Mountaineering Team and the French Military Ski Team – has established herself as one of the world’s leading ski mountaineering specialists, amassing national titles (Sprint, Team) and international medals, culminating in the title of World Relay Vice-Champion.

Combining a steely resolve with physical rigour, she has brought glory to La Toussuire on the highest peaks of the World Cup.

Honours:

Frenchsprint and teamchampion (with Candice) in 2021
French runner-up in the individual event in 2021
World Sprint Champion (Junior category) in 2019
World Relay Champion (Senior) in 2019
World runner-up in the sprint (U23 category) at Piancavallo in 2017
Several French championship titles in sprint, relay, team and individual events

Lou Covarel

A rider and member of the French national team, Lou Covarel puts La Toussuire in the spotlight in a spectacular discipline: reining, the American style of dressage.

Working in perfect harmony with her Quarter Horse, she performs a series of spins, sliding stops and lead changes. The aim is to give the impression that the horse is working independently and with ease.

The reality, of course, is quite different, and this is where the bond between rider and horse comes into play! A six-time French champion and a regular at the highest international levels, Lou perfectly embodies the richness and diversity of La Toussuire’s sporting talent.

Honours:

AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association)World Junior Champion 2023
European Nations/ AffiliatesChampion, awarded by the NRHA (National Reining Horse Association), 2023
Six-time French Champion
Top 5 in the FEI (International Equestrian Federation)Junior World Rankings

Shaun Binet

A keen enduro motorcyclist from a very young age, Shaun was climbing onto his first podiums as early as the age of 10. A promising rider who came through the Yamaha Outsider Team and then the Saint-Étienne KTM Team, this young talent has continued to make his mark at the very highest level. With a national podium finish, 4th place in the European Championship and 3rd place on the French podium, he combines fighting spirit with technical precision to put La Toussuire in the spotlight on the circuits. Now competing in the 125cc class, he is taking his first steps amongst the big names, and we wish him a brilliant season.

Achievements:

3rd in the French Championship (2024) — Team KTM Saint-Étienne
4th in the European Championship (2023)
Joined the Yamaha Outsider Team (2021)
First podium finish at the Euro Kid at the age of 10

The champions of tomorrow

La Toussuire Ski Club The talent pool

In La Toussuire, a passion for skiing is passed down from generation to generation. A veritable breeding ground for talent, the La Toussuire Ski Club supports young skiers as they progress, from their very first training sessions right through to competition and, for the most ambitious, on to the very highest level.

The club’s mission is to organise and supervise the training of young skiers, whilst enabling them to take part in competitions and develop their potential. It also helps to organise official alpine skiing competitions at international, national and regional levels, in collaboration with the local council’s various departments.

But the Ski Club also boasts a history marked by some great names. Since its foundation, several champions have come through the ranks on the slopes of La Toussuire, including Germain Augert, René Collet, Jean-Pierre Augert, Jean-Noël Augert, Vanessa Vidal and Jean-Pierre Vidal, the Olympic slalom champion at Salt Lake City in 2002.

This story continues to this day. Jean-Pierre Vidal is actively involved with the La Toussuire Ski Club, sharing his experience and expertise with the younger generations. His presence is invaluable in nurturing the next generation and keeping alive the competitive spirit that drives the club.

What if the future champions were already out on our slopes?

Lucas Quezel Ambrunaz

2025French U16Giant Slalom Champion
French U18 SlalomRunner-up 2026

Léa Quezel Ambrunaz

French U21 Super-G speedrunner-up
Member of the Savoie Ski Committee

Martin Siegwald

Member of the Savoie Ski Committee

Élodie Blais

3rd in the slalom at the 2026French Championships in Val Thorens
Selected for the 2026 FESA Cup

Continue exploration

Yesterday, today, tomorrow: our champions

René Collet

Jean-Pierre Augert

Jean-Noël Augert

Maurice Adrait

Jean-Pierre Vidal

Vanessa Vidal

Lionel Bonnel

William Turnes

Lorna Bonnel

Léna Bonnel

Lou Covarel

Shaun Binet

La Toussuire Ski Club The talent pool

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La Toussuire

I organise

In the heart of our hamlets

Brochures and information packs