The Faction Collective presents “Zermatt to Verbier” - Full Film

Four Faction athletes—two women and two men—set out to ski-tour from Zermatt to Verbier. They follow the route made famous by the Patrouille des Glaciers ski mountaineering race, an event with military origins. The inaugural race, contested by Swiss Army soldiers, occurred during WWII in April, 1943. The contest was designed to evaluate the operational capacity of troops under duress in the alpine environment. It’s a route that takes your average Joel and Jan three+ days to complete, but one team of race competitors hung up their boots and clinked steins after just 5 hours and 35 minutes.

In the heat of the Patrouille des Glaciers, participants put their heads down and go, go, go. If at any given moment during the sprint a competitor paused to look up, however, he or she would notice the countless breathtaking ski lines abounding. These are the lines that brought our cast calling this past spring.

The film melds world-class ski talent with hair-raising descents, mind-blowing drone footage, and a captivating history of alpine warfare and its link to ski mountaineering.

Starring: Sam Anthamatten, Elisabeth Gerritzen, Yann Rausis, Anna Smoothy

Featuring: Colonel EMG Daniel Jolliet & Jean-Marc Farquet

Directed by: Etienne Mérel

Cinematography by: Etienne Mérel, Julien Christe & Sampo Vallotton

Edited by: Etienne Mérel

Produced by: Tim Harty

Photography by: Ruedi Flück

Supported by: Cast Touring

Action Camera content support by: GoPro

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stash member The Faction Collective

Formed nearly ten years ago in Verbier, we at the Faction Collective live for the first chair and ride until last light. By pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation, we are dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences with friends.