Vivian Bruchez Becomes First Person to Ski All 82 4,000-Meter Peaks in the Alps

Photo: Clayton Herrmann

After more than two decades of dedication, French guide and ski mountaineer Vivian Bruchez has etched his name into alpine history. On June 20, he clipped into his skis on Pointe Marguerite in the Grandes Jorasses massif, marking the completion of a monumental goal: climbing and skiing all 82 of the Alps’ 4,000-meter peaks.

For 21 years, this project has been Bruchez's obsession. It's a list that blends high-consequence alpinism with next-level steep skiing, a challenge so immense that many of the peaks had never seen a pair of skis. From his home in the shadow of Mont Blanc, the 38-year-old Chamonix local systematically ticked off summit after summit, a journey he calls his "greatest sporting achievement."

“I put all my heart, all my body, all my energy into this great project of the 4,000-meter peaks of the Alps on skis,” Bruchez shared after the final ascent with his longtime partner, Mathieu Navillod. “Happy to announce today that I’ve reached the final summit of this adventure.”

This wasn't just about bagging peaks. For Bruchez, it was about a deeper philosophy. It was about purity of style and respect for the mountains. Even when a continuous ski descent from the absolute summit was impossible due to the gnarly, technical terrain, his ethics remained steadfast. The final two years of the project proved to be the most demanding, marked by relentless uncertainty, self-doubt, and the challenge of tackling peaks that had never been skied. Throughout it all, injuries and persistent pain served as constant reminders of Bruchez’s vulnerability in the high alpine.

This monumental effort led to the documentation of more than 100 ski lines across the 82 summits, including 22 first descents and new routes on four peaks that had never been skied before. Though there’s no official body to certify the achievement, it has earned Bruchez the respect of the international mountaineering community.

What began as a personal dream evolved into a shared journey, made possible by a close circle of trusted partners. With the unwavering support of his rope mates, the project transformed into a collective endeavor—one rich with stories, lessons, and experiences worth passing on. Fans of his incredible journey can look forward to a film and book that will document this historic achievement. For now, Bruchez is taking a well-deserved rest, but it's clear his impact on the mountains is far from over. The line has been drawn, but for a skier like Vivian Bruchez, there's always another one waiting.