{"id":296429,"date":"2025-12-03T10:28:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T09:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/tom-lafaille-une-legende-en-heritage\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T16:19:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T15:19:21","slug":"tom-lafaille-legendary-legacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/tom-lafaille-legendary-legacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Tom Lafaille, a legendary legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”4px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”11px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ header_font=”|on|||” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”16px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_tablet=”” header_2_font_size_phone=”20px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_orientation_tablet=”center” text_orientation_phone=”left” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

At 24, Tom Lafaille carries a huge name, but moves forward lightly. Son of mountaineer Jean-Christophe Lafaille, who died on Makalu in 2006, he is now forging his own path in the Alps and Himalayas, both skiing and mountaineering, with surprising maturity and a keen sense of mountain ethics. On the occasion of the launch of the new Gore-Tex Pro membrane in Courmayeur, Italy, we met Tom in his home territory of Mont Blanc, skis on his feet at the Tour Ronde. <\/strong><\/h2>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”1px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.1″ max_width=”800px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

A<\/span>s we climb into the gleaming Skyway cable car for our last ski trip of spring 2025, a little guy shows up with his skis in hand and a bag on his back. His golden curls peek out from under his neck warmer pulled up over his ears, as does his big smile, even this early in the morning. Tom Lafaille greets a journalist-skier he doesn’t know with the cheerfulness of someone who knows he’s going skiing. And that’s enough to make him happy.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ max_width=”1200px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4189.jpg” title_text=”tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4189″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]

\u00a9Ulysse Lefebvre<\/a> \/\u00a0Gore-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

For my part, I say hello to him with that unsettling feeling of d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu. Physically, Tom looks a lot like Jean-Christophe. Short and stocky, he combines a baby face with chubby cheeks that betray his twenties with the finer, more angular features of the late \u00ab Jean-Chri \u00bb.<\/p>\n

I mumble few words while thinking about this mountaineering idol who, without a doubt, still lives on in the eyes of his son standing before me.<\/p>\n

A path forged at an early age<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Born on 31 March 2001, Tom Lafaille became an aspiring guide at the age of 18 and took on his first client at just 20. \u00ab I was a brat in high school, \u00bb he smiles.<\/p>\n

\u00ab I worked one summer as a landscaper and realised I had to find my path. \u00bb That path first led him to competitive alpine skiing, with a coach who was unlike any other: Vivian Bruchez.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=”#000000″ quote_icon_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ body_font=”Oswald|700||on|||||” body_text_align=”center” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”30″ use_background_color=”off” custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

I was a brat in high school<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”1200px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4085.jpg” title_text=”tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4085″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Tom pr\u00e9pare les skis, \u00e0 la descente du Skyway. \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”800px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0|0px||0px|false|false” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

\u00ab It was great to have him as a coach when he was just starting to make a name for himself \u00bb he says. It was Bruchez who lent him his touring skis for his first ski touring outing, \u00ab the ones he had used for one of his first great first ascents, the Migot spur at Chardonnet with Kilian Jornet \u00bb [in 2012, editor’s note].<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”1200px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4127.jpg” title_text=”tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4127″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Approaching the Tour Ronde, in the Cirque Maudit (Mont Blanc). \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”800px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0|0px||0px|false|false” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

But Tom eventually left the competition: \u00ab One day I decided to quit. I told Vivian, and I took up climbing \u00bb. Within a year, he was climbing 8a. Had he found his calling? Or was he following in the footsteps of his father, who opened Biographie in Ce\u00fcse in 1990, the first 9a+ in history, only to be matched 11 years later by Chris Sharma? Not necessarily. \u00ab And then it was the same scenario all over again. I had to start competing, etc. So I started mixing it all up and going to the mountains \u00bb he explains as he crosses the majestic Cirque Maudit.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ width=”100%” max_width=”1200px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4624.jpg” title_text=”tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4624″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Smile is the key<\/a>. \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”800px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0|0px||0px|false|false” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

And the early days spent in the high mountains were not necessarily very orthodox. Outings mainly took place during school hours. \u00ab We would go to the mountains instead of going to secondary school. The PGHM (French High Mountain Rescue Team) was often aware of this because we weren’t very safety-conscious with our mates! \u00bb recalls the young guide, who is now busy roping up his client on the gentle slope of the normal route up the Tour Ronde.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”1200px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4349.jpg” title_text=”tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4349″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Upon reaching the top of la Tour Ronde, greeted by the Madonna. \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”800px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0|0px||0px|false|false” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=”#000000″ quote_icon_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ body_font=”Oswald|700||on|||||” body_text_align=”center” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”30″ use_background_color=”off” custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

The French High Mountain Rescue Team
was often aware of this because
we weren’t very safety-conscious with our mates!<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

From there, everything fell into place: his first races, his first expeditions, and soon, his guide certification list. He will receive his medal in the summer of 2024, just after sending his supplementary list at the last minute from the Nanga Parbat base camp via his InReach. Priority is given to the peaks of Pakistan. Skiing at 8,000 metres has become his trademark. For now, he is disappointed to see, from the summit, that the Gervasutti is not in good condition. No matter, he can push a little harder on the descent of the normal route.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”1200px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4327.jpg” title_text=”tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4327″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

The K\u00fcffner ridge, Mont Maudit and Mont Blanc unfold beneath our skis. \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”800px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0|0px||0px|false|false” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

A new horizon at 8,000 metres<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Makalu, the mountain where his father disappeared, keeps coming back into view. Five years and three months after Jean-Christophe’s disappearance, Paris Match finances his family’s return to base camp, where a Buddhist monk is erecting a memorial made of concrete and stones.<\/p>\n

\u00ab I was shielded from the controversy surrounding my father’s disappearance because we lived in Vallorcine. It’s a small village, another world \u00bb he says today. \u00ab But looking back, there are some people I shouldn’t go to the mountains with. I say hello to them, but that’s it \u00bb he says during a brief moment when his good-naturedness fades.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”1200px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4456.jpg” title_text=”tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4456″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]

\u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”800px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0|0px||0px|false|false” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Tom was five years old when his father disappeared in 2006, but malicious gossip is persistent and continued for a long time to comment on Jean-Christophe’s gargantuan project, which aimed to climb the 14 peaks over 8,000 metres on the planet alone and in winter. The management of Jean-Christophe’s career by his wife, Kathy, Tom’s mother, also drew a lot of criticism. Jean-Christophe’s body still lies somewhere on the slopes of Makalu, his twelfth 8,000-metre peak.<\/p>\n

Tom, however, never stopped dreaming of the Himalayas. \u00ab Tom always dreamed of Makalu, perhaps more and more \u00bb one of his close friends whispered to me the day before. This dream crystallised around Makalu, with the goal of climbing it and then skiing down. A big project for 2026, \u00ab if all goes well, \u00bb Tom cautions.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ max_width=”1200px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4422.jpg” title_text=”tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4422″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

\u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4424.jpg” title_text=”tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4424″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

\u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4427.jpg” title_text=”tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4427″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

\u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Expeditions and ethics<\/strong><\/h2>\n

On the highest peaks, Tom takes a demanding approach. \u00ab I don’t differentiate between following a route with fixed ropes or clipping onto them. In both cases, it’s not alpine style.\u00bb. For example, he claims an \u2018unsupported\u2019 ascent of Broad Peak in 2023, a relatively easy peak that does not necessarily require the use of fixed ropes for the most experienced mountaineers.<\/p>\n

It’s less obvious on Nanga Parbat, which he will attempt in 2024, particularly the Kinshofer Wall, a 150-metre vertical wall that could be rated 6a\/6b if it had to be climbed free, without ropes in place, at an altitude of 6,000 metres. \u00ab On the Kinshofer, I tried not to clip in. Matheo [Jacquemoud] said to me, It’s a 3,000-metre face, you could get hit on the head. It’s true… but that’s how I am \u00bb.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=”#000000″ quote_icon_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ body_font=”Oswald|700||on|||||” body_text_align=”center” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”30″ use_background_color=”off” custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

follow a track with fixed ropes
or clip onto them in both cases
it’s not alpine style<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

He shares a radical approach with Anna Tybor, a Polish climber he met in Chamonix. \u00ab She has a warrior mentality that only Poles have \u00bb he says. At Dhaulagiri in 2024, they were forced to give up due to a huge disturbance.<\/p>\n

At Nanga Parbat that same year, their paths crossed again. A hundred metres below the 8,126 m summit, they had to give up. On the day of the failed summit push, they set off too late \u2013 at 8 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. Then everything happened very quickly.<\/p>\n

Tom recalls: \u00ab ‘m in my own little world, in my hood. When I start thinking again, the summit no longer seems like an option \u00bb. The cold bites, accentuated by his ski boots: \u00bb The heaters prevent your feet from freezing, but they don’t stop you from losing feeling in them \u00bb.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A storm above the clouds, around 10:30 a.m., brings him back to reality. Anna, meanwhile, no longer speaks, silently giving up like a warrior. \u2018When I said I was giving up 100 metres below the summit, she hardly responded. She just moved away… and put on her boots.\u2019<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ width=”100%” max_width=”1200px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4413.jpg” title_text=”tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4413″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

The name Jean-Christophe Lafaille is everywhere in Mont Blanc. Tom drawq his lines there. \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”800px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0|0px||0px|false|false” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Skiing as a language<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Contrary to what some people imagine, Tom never saw skiing as a way to escape his father’s influence, but \u00ab rather as a way to combine all the facets of the mountains. \u00bb In the Himalayas, he skis during each acclimatisation rotation \u00ab to descend faster and more safely.\u00bb<\/p>\n

At home, one of his favourite playgrounds remains the Aiguilles Rouges massif, where he has racked up lines with Bruchez. \u00ab It’s a bit like home to me… but we don’t talk about it too much. It’s more freeriding, the kind of thing where you have to go for risk level 4 to make it good,\u00bb he says with a smile. Not very politically correct, you might say.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-1px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=”#000000″ quote_icon_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ body_font=”Oswald|700||on|||||” body_text_align=”center” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”30″ use_background_color=”off” custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

skiing, as a way of combining
all aspects of the mountains<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ width=”100%” max_width=”1200px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4552.jpg” title_text=”tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4552″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

\u00a9UL<\/a> \/ Gore-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”800px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0|0px||0px|false|false” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

A young mountain guide turning professional<\/strong><\/h2>\n

At 20 years old, some clients raise their eyebrows when they see this baby-faced guide. \u00ab But when they’re behind me with their crampons on, they’re still glad I’m there! \u00bb Tom loves this diversity: \u00ab It’s great to meet lots of different people, but they’re all on the same level once they’re up there. \u00bb<\/p>\n

He doesn’t actually work much as a guide and mainly lives off his sponsors. \u00ab They don’t put pressure on me to use social media. I think it’s a great way to share, but it can be toxic. I’m not crazy about posting. I didn’t even post about Dhaulagiri!\u00bb At the time of publishing this article, his last Instagram post was in early October 2025, a month and a half ago, which is an extremely long time in an era where sponsored athletes are omnipresent on social media.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ width=”100%” max_width=”1200px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4479.jpg” title_text=”tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4479″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

\u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”800px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0|0px||0px|false|false” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Finding companions, finding limits<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Tom acknowledges the difficulty of finding partners with the same requirements: ethics, technical level, risk management, time, training. As for his own limits: \u00ab It’s not easy to define. In climbing, ratings help. In the mountains… it’s different. But I have limits, don’t worry. \u00bb<\/p>\n

Tom speaks slowly, weighing his words, with a manner reminiscent of Vivian Bruchez, his mentor, a mixture of reflection and quiet confidence. He is a young man who grew up among mountains and base camps, at ease with clients from all over the world. He speaks impeccable English, \u00ab which he didn’t learn so much at school as while travelling \u00bb.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ width=”100%” max_width=”1200px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4670.jpg” title_text=”tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4670″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font=”Merriweather|900|||||||” text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]

\u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-1px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=”#000000″ quote_icon_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ body_font=”Oswald|700||on|||||” body_text_align=”center” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”30″ use_background_color=”off” custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

I don’t know
what I would have done
in his place<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”800px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0|0px||0px|false|false” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”800″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_font_size=”18px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

He finally knows that his father’s shadow will never truly disappear, that his memory remains vivid and alive: \u00ab Once, during a climbing competition at the Lafaille gymnasium in Grenoble, a guy came up to me and told me how much he admired my father… before asking me if he was in the room. \u00bb<\/p>\n

Tom does not seek to erase him; he has learned to accept him. Even if he does not fully forgive his father for choosing to marry the mountains, he says he understands him today: \u00ab I don’t forgive him for everything, but I understand him… and I don’t know what I would have done in his place. \u00bb<\/p>\n

So Tom Lafaille moves forward, simply, with his own path, his own commitment, and a vision of the mountains that belongs only to him. Even if Makalu, in his sights, could well be a final tribute, in his own way, to his father’s name.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f2f2f2″ max_width=”800px” custom_padding=”|20px||20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”|20px|||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_font_size_tablet=”” header_2_font_size_phone=”37px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”” header_3_font_size_phone=”18px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

TOM USES<\/strong><\/h2>\n

GORE-TEX PRO<\/strong><\/h2>\n

NEW GENERATION PRODUCTS<\/strong><\/h2>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16″ custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ header_3_font_size_tablet=”” header_3_font_size_phone=”18px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Launched this winter 2025, the new generation of GORE-TEX Pro products feature an innovative ePE membrane and are designed for athletes and professionals who tackle extreme environments.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whether ice climbing or rock climbing, GORE-TEX Pro products have been specially designed for the most challenging conditions in the mountains.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Waterproof, windproof and breathable, each garment offers the well-known benefits of the GORE-TEX brand. They are extremely durable, PFAS-free and have a reduced carbon footprint.<\/strong><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.gore-tex.com\/technology\/gore-tex-products\/pro” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”read more” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”24px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#0a0a0a” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/eyJwYXRoIjoiZ29yZVwvZmlsZVwvTHlSeG5temc1VkduNEdjUmhETWMuanBlZyJ9-gore-Ifqt-IbBEDAc8KtQWj5mY4msqqxa22Clom2_ocd_jUA.jpeg” title_text=”eyJwYXRoIjoiZ29yZVwvZmlsZVwvTHlSeG5temc1VkduNEdjUmhETWMuanBlZyJ9-gore-Ifqt-IbBEDAc8KtQWj5mY4msqqxa22Clom2_ocd_jUA” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1200px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/Si9xXCwXzWE?si=POIooUa8tKLTLeNl” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At 24, Tom Lafaille carries a huge name, but moves forward lightly. Son of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":296430,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.22.1\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"4px||0px||false|false\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" background_size=\"initial\" background_position=\"top_left\" background_repeat=\"repeat\" custom_padding=\"11px|||||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" header_font=\"|on|||\" header_2_line_height=\"1.2em\" text_orientation=\"center\" module_alignment=\"center\" header_font_size_tablet=\"\" header_font_size_phone=\"16px\" header_font_size_last_edited=\"on|desktop\" header_2_font_size_tablet=\"\" header_2_font_size_phone=\"20px\" header_2_font_size_last_edited=\"on|phone\" text_orientation_tablet=\"center\" text_orientation_phone=\"left\" text_orientation_last_edited=\"on|desktop\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n

\u00c0 24 ans, Tom Lafaille porte un nom immense, mais avance l\u00e9ger. Fils de l\u2019alpiniste Jean-Christophe Lafaille, disparu au Makalu en 2006, il trace aujourd\u2019hui sa propre voie dans les Alpes et en Himalaya, en ski comme en alpinisme, avec une maturit\u00e9 \u00e9tonnante et un sens aig\u00fc de l\u2019\u00e9thique en montagne. \u00c0 l'occasion du lancement de la nouvelle membrane Gore-Tex Pro<\/a>, \u00e0 Courmayeur en Italie, nous avons rencontr\u00e9 Tom au coeur de son jardin du Mont-Blanc, skis aux pieds \u00e0 la Tour Ronde.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.22.1\" custom_margin=\"0px||||false|false\" custom_margin_tablet=\"0px||||false|false\" custom_margin_phone=\"0px||||false|false\" custom_margin_last_edited=\"on|phone\" custom_padding=\"1px||||false|false\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.22.1\" max_width=\"800px\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\n[dropcap size=big]A[\/dropcap]lors que l'on monte dans le rutilant t\u00e9l\u00e9ph\u00e9rique du Skyway, en cette derni\u00e8re sortie \u00e0 ski du printemps 2025, un petit bonhomme se pointe, skis en mains et sac sur le dos. Ses boucles d'or d\u00e9passent du tour de cou remont\u00e9 jusqu'au oreilles, tout comme son sourire qui d\u00e9borde, m\u00eame de bonne heure. Tom Lafaille dit bonjour \u00e0 un journaliste-skieur qu'il ne connait pas avec la bonne humeur de celui qui sait qu'il va skier. Et \u00e0 qui \u00e7a suffit pour \u00eatre heureux.\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\"1_2,1_2\" use_custom_gutter=\"on\" gutter_width=\"2\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" max_width=\"1200px\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"1_2\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4189.jpg\" title_text=\"tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4189\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width=\"100%\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" hover_enabled=\"0\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" sticky_enabled=\"0\"]\n\n\u00a9Ulysse Lefebvre<\/a> \/\u00a0Gore-Tex<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\"1_2\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nDe mon c\u00f4t\u00e9, je lui dis bonjour avec cette troublante sensation de d\u00e9j\u00e0-vu. Physiquement, Tom ressemble \u00e9norm\u00e9ment \u00e0 Jean-Christophe. Petit, trapu, il combine un visage poupon aux joues rebondies qui t\u00e9moigne de sa vingtaine, avec les traits plus fins et anguleux de feu \u00ab Jean-Chri \u00bb.\n\nJe baragouine un bonjour tout en pensant \u00e0 cette idole de l'alpinisme qui, c'est s\u00fbr, vit encore dans les yeux de son fils devant moi.\n

Un parcours forg\u00e9 tr\u00e8s t\u00f4t<\/b><\/h2>\nN\u00e9 le 31 mars 2001, aspirant-guide \u00e0 18 ans, Tom Lafaille prend son premier client \u00e0 seulement 20 ans. \u00ab Au lyc\u00e9e j\u2019\u00e9tais un sale gosse<\/em> \u00bb, sourit-il.\n\n\u00ab J\u2019ai travaill\u00e9 un \u00e9t\u00e9 comme paysagiste et j\u2019ai compris qu\u2019il fallait que je trouve une voie.<\/em> \u00bb Cette voie passe d\u2019abord par le ski alpin de comp\u00e9tition, avec un coach pas tout \u00e0 fait comme les autres : Vivian Bruchez.\n\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=\"#000000\" quote_icon_background_color=\"#ffffff\" _builder_version=\"4.22.1\" body_font=\"Oswald|700||on|||||\" body_text_align=\"center\" body_text_color=\"#000000\" body_font_size=\"30\" use_background_color=\"off\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nAu lyc\u00e9e j\u2019\u00e9tais un sale gosse\n\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width_tablet=\"\" width_phone=\"\" width_last_edited=\"on|phone\" max_width=\"600px\" max_width_tablet=\"\" max_width_phone=\"300px\" max_width_last_edited=\"on|phone\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_divider color=\"#000000\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" min_height=\"1px\" custom_margin=\"||-10px||false|false\" custom_margin_tablet=\"||-10px||false|false\" custom_margin_phone=\"||-10px||false|false\" custom_margin_last_edited=\"on|phone\" custom_padding=\"||0px|||\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"||||||||\" text_font_size=\"18px\" link_font=\"||||||||\" link_text_color=\"#edb72f\" custom_padding=\"0px|||||\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n

Lire aussi<\/strong><\/h3>\nVid\u00e9o : Maud Vanpoulle et Tom Lafaille sur le fil du Mont-Blanc<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"1200px\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4085.jpg\" title_text=\"tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4085\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width=\"100%\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nTom pr\u00e9pare les skis, \u00e0 la descente du Skyway. \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"800px\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"0|0px||0px|false|false\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\n\u00ab C\u2019\u00e9tait g\u00e9nial de l\u2019avoir comme coach, \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9poque o\u00f9 il commen\u00e7ait \u00e0 \u00eatre connu<\/em> \u00bb, raconte-t-il. Et c'est m\u00eame Bruchez qui lui pr\u00eatera ses skis de randonn\u00e9e pour sa premi\u00e8re sortie \u00e0 peaux de phoque, \u00ab ceux qu\u2019il avait utilis\u00e9s pour l\u2019une de ses premi\u00e8res belles premi\u00e8res, l\u2019\u00e9peron Migot au Chardonnet avec Kilian Jornet<\/em> \u00bb [en 2012 ndlr].\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"1200px\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4127.jpg\" title_text=\"tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4127\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width=\"100%\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\n\u00c0 l'approche de la Tour Ronde, dans le Cirque Maudit (Mont-Blanc). \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"800px\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"0|0px||0px|false|false\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nMais Tom quitte finalement la comp\u00e9tition : \u00ab Un jour j\u2019ai d\u00e9cid\u00e9 d\u2019arr\u00eater. Je l\u2019ai annonc\u00e9 \u00e0 Vivian, et je me suis mis \u00e0 l\u2019escalade.<\/em> \u00bb En un an, il grimpe dans le 8a. Aurait-il trouv\u00e9 sa voie ? Ou plut\u00f4t, marcherait-il dans les pas de son p\u00e8re qui ouvrait Biographie \u00e0 Ce\u00fcse en 1990, premier 9a+ de l'histoire, encha\u00een\u00e9 seulement 11 ans plus tard par Chris Sharma ? Pas forc\u00e9ment. \u00ab Et puis apr\u00e8s, \u00e7a a \u00e9t\u00e9 le m\u00eame sc\u00e9nario. Il fallait aller vers la compet' etc... Alors j\u2019ai commenc\u00e9 \u00e0 mixer tout \u00e7a et \u00e0 aller en montagne<\/em> \u00bb explique t-il en traversant le majestueux Cirque Maudit.\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=\"on\" gutter_width=\"2\" _builder_version=\"4.22.1\" width=\"100%\" max_width=\"1200px\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4624.jpg\" title_text=\"tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4624\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width=\"100%\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nSmile is the key<\/a>. \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"800px\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"0|0px||0px|false|false\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nEt les premiers temps pass\u00e9s en haute montagne ne sont pas forc\u00e9ment tr\u00e8s orthodoxes. Les sorties se font essentiellement sur le temps des cours, \u00ab on partait en montagne \u00e0 la place d'aller au lyc\u00e9e biqualif. Le PGHM \u00e9tait souvent au courant parce qu\u2019on \u00e9tait pas tr\u00e8s carr\u00e9s avec les copains !<\/em> \u00bb se souvient le jeune guide qui prend soin aujourd'hui d'encorder son client dans la pente douce de la voie normale de la Tour Ronde.\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"1200px\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4349.jpg\" title_text=\"tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4349\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width=\"100%\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nEn arrivant au sommet de la Tour Ronde, accueillis par la Madone. \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"800px\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"0|0px||0px|false|false\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=\"#000000\" quote_icon_background_color=\"#ffffff\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" body_font=\"Oswald|700||on|||||\" body_text_align=\"center\" body_text_color=\"#000000\" body_font_size=\"30\" use_background_color=\"off\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nLe PGHM \u00e9tait souvent au courant\nde nos sorties parce qu\u2019on \u00e9tait\npas tr\u00e8s carr\u00e9s avec les copains !\n\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nDe l\u00e0, tout s\u2019encha\u00eene : premi\u00e8res courses, premi\u00e8res exp\u00e9ditions, et bient\u00f4t, la liste pour le dipl\u00f4me de guide. Il recevra sa m\u00e9daille \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9t\u00e9 2024, juste apr\u00e8s avoir envoy\u00e9 sa liste compl\u00e9mentaire in extremis depuis le camp de base du Nanga Parbat via son InReach. Priorit\u00e9 aux sommets du Pakistan. Skier \u00e0 8000 m devient sa marque de fabrique. Pour l'heure, il est d'ailleurs d\u00e9\u00e7u de constater, depuis le sommet, que le Gervasutti n'est pas en condition. Pas grave, il pourra mettre un peu plus les gaz dans la descente de la voie normal.\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"1200px\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4327.jpg\" title_text=\"tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4327\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width=\"100%\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nL'ar\u00eate K\u00fcffner, le Maudit et le mont Blanc se d\u00e9roulent sous nos skis. \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"800px\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"0|0px||0px|false|false\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n

Un nouvel horizon \u00e0 8000 m<\/b><\/h2>\nLe Makalu, sommet sur lequel son p\u00e8re a disparu, revient sans cesse dans le champ. Cinq ans et trois mois apr\u00e8s la disparition de Jean-Christophe, Paris Match finance le retour de sa famille au camp de base, o\u00f9 un moine bouddhiste \u00e9rige un m\u00e9morial m\u00ealant b\u00e9ton et pierres.\n\n\u00ab J\u2019ai \u00e9t\u00e9 prot\u00e9g\u00e9 des pol\u00e9miques sur la disparition de mon p\u00e8re, parce qu\u2019on vivait \u00e0 Vallorcine. C\u2019est un autre monde<\/em> \u00bb, analyse-t-il aujourd\u2019hui. \u00ab Mais avec le recul, il y a des gens avec qui il ne faut pas me proposer d\u2019aller en montagne. Je leur dis bonjour, mais pas plus.<\/em> \u00bb dit-il pendant un court moment o\u00f9 sa bonhommie s'estompe.\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"1200px\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4456.jpg\" title_text=\"tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4456\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width=\"100%\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\n\u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"800px\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"0|0px||0px|false|false\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nTom a 5 ans quand son p\u00e8re disparait, en 2006, mais les mauvaises langues sont endurantes et continuent longtemps \u00e0 commenter le projet gargantuesque de Jean-Christophe qui visait l'ascension en solitaire et en hiver des 14 sommets de plus de 8000 m de la plan\u00e8te. La gestion de la carri\u00e8re de Jean-Christophe par sa femme, Kathy, la m\u00e8re de Tom, fera elle aussi cracher beaucoup de venin. Le corps de Jean-Christophe quant \u00e0 lui, repose toujours quelque part sur les pentes du Makalu, son douzi\u00e8me 8000.\n\nTom\u00a0pourtant, n\u2019a jamais cess\u00e9 de r\u00eaver d\u2019Himalaya. \u00ab Tom a toujours r\u00eav\u00e9 du Makalu, peut-\u00eatre de plus en plus<\/em> \u00bb, me soufflait l'un de ses proches la veille. Ce r\u00eave se cristallise autour du Makalu justement, avec l'objectif de le gravir puis le descendre \u00e0 ski. Un gros projet pour 2026, \u00ab si tout va bien<\/em> \u00bb temp\u00e8re Tom, prudent.\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\"1_2,1_2\" use_custom_gutter=\"on\" gutter_width=\"2\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" max_width=\"1200px\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"1_2\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4422.jpg\" title_text=\"tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4422\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width=\"100%\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nAux trois temps du virages, selon Tom : 1\/ Appui ski amont. \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4424.jpg\" title_text=\"tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4424\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width=\"100%\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\n2\/ Rotation b\u00e2ton. \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4427.jpg\" title_text=\"tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4427\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width=\"100%\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\n3\/ R\u00e9ception courte, skis serr\u00e9s. \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\"1_2\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n

Exp\u00e9s et \u00e9thique<\/b><\/h2>\nSur les plus grands sommets, Tom assume une vision exigeante. \u00ab Je ne fais pas de diff\u00e9rence entre suivre une trace avec des cordes fixes, ou se clipper dessus. Dans les deux cas, ce n\u2019est pas du style alpin<\/em>. \u00bb Il revendique par exemple une ascension \u00ab unsupported<\/em> \u00bb du Broad Peak en 2023<\/a>, sommet peu technique qui ne n\u00e9cessite pas forc\u00e9ment l'usage des cordes fixes en place pour les alpinistes les plus \u00e0 l'aise.\n\nC'est moins \u00e9vident au Nanga Parbat qu'il tente en 2024, avec notamment le mur Kinshofer, ces 150 m de paroi verticale, qu'on pourrait coter 6a\/6b s'il fallait le gravir en libre, sans les cordes en place, le tout \u00e0 6000 m d'altitude. \u00ab Sur la Kinshofer, j\u2019essayais de ne pas me clipper. Math\u00e9o [Jacquemoud] me disait : \"C\u2019est une face de 3000 m, tu peux te prendre un truc sur la t\u00eate\". C\u2019est vrai\u2026 mais je suis comme \u00e7a<\/em> \u00bb\n\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=\"#000000\" quote_icon_background_color=\"#ffffff\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" body_font=\"Oswald|700||on|||||\" body_text_align=\"center\" body_text_color=\"#000000\" body_font_size=\"30\" use_background_color=\"off\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nsuivre une trace avec des cordes fixes\nou se clipper dessus\ndans les deux cas\nce n\u2019est pas du style alpin\n\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nAvec la Polonaise Anna Tybor<\/strong>, rencontr\u00e9e \u00e0 Chamonix, il partage une approche radicale. \u00ab Elle a une mentalit\u00e9 de guerri\u00e8re que seuls les Polonais ont<\/em> \u00bb, raconte-t-il. Au Dhaulagiri en 2024, o\u00f9 ils doivent renoncer \u00e0 cause d\u2019une \u00e9norme perturbation.\n\nAu Nanga Parbat la m\u00eame ann\u00e9e, leurs trajectoires se croisent encore. Une centaine de m\u00e8tre sous le somemt de 8126 m, ils doivent reoncner. En ce jour du summit push manqu\u00e9, ils partent trop tard \u2013 20 h au lieu de 18 h. Puis tout s'enchaine.\n\nTom se souvient : \u00ab Je suis dans ma bulle, dans ma capuche. Quand je me remets \u00e0 r\u00e9fl\u00e9chir, le sommet ne me semble plus \u00eatre une option.<\/em> \u00bb Le froid mord, accentu\u00e9 par ses chaussures de ski : \u00ab Les chaufferettes t\u2019\u00e9vitent de te geler les pieds, mais \u00e7a ne t\u2019emp\u00eache pas de ne plus les sentir.<\/em> \u00bb\n\nUn orage au-dessus des nuages, vers 10 h 30, finit de le ramener \u00e0 la r\u00e9alit\u00e9. Anna, elle, ne parle plus, renoncement silencieux d'une guerri\u00e8re. \u00ab Quand j\u2019ai dit que j\u2019abandonnais 100 m sous le sommet, elle a presque pas r\u00e9pondu. Elle s\u2019est juste d\u00e9cal\u00e9e\u2026 et elle a chauss\u00e9.<\/em> \u00bb\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=\"on\" gutter_width=\"2\" _builder_version=\"4.22.1\" width=\"100%\" max_width=\"1200px\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4413.jpg\" title_text=\"tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4413\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width=\"100%\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" hover_enabled=\"0\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" sticky_enabled=\"0\"]\n\nLe nom de Jean-Christophe Lafaille est pr\u00e9sent partout dans le Mont-Blanc. Tom y trace ses lignes. \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"800px\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"0|0px||0px|false|false\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n

Le ski comme langage<\/b><\/h2>\nContrairement \u00e0 ce que certains imaginent, Tom n\u2019a jamais vu le ski comme un moyen d\u2019\u00e9chapper \u00e0 la figure paternelle, mais \u00ab\u00a0plut\u00f4t une mani\u00e8re de combiner toutes les facettes de la montagne<\/em>. \u00bb En Himalaya, il skie \u00e0 chaque rotation d\u2019acclimatation \u00ab pour descendre plus vite et plus safe<\/em> \u00bb.\n\n\u00c0 la maison, l'un de ses terrains de jeu pr\u00e9f\u00e9r\u00e9 reste le massif des Aiguilles Rouges, o\u00f9 il a accumul\u00e9 les lignes avec Bruchez. \u00ab C\u2019est un peu un chez moi\u2026 mais on n\u2019en parle pas trop. C\u2019est plus du freeride, des trucs o\u00f9 il faut aller par risque 4 pour que ce soit bon<\/em> \u00bb, glisse-t-il en souriant. Pas tr\u00e8s politiquement correct dira t-on.\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_margin=\"-1px|auto||auto||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=\"#000000\" quote_icon_background_color=\"#ffffff\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" body_font=\"Oswald|700||on|||||\" body_text_align=\"center\" body_text_color=\"#000000\" body_font_size=\"30\" use_background_color=\"off\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nle ski, comme une mani\u00e8re de combiner\ntoutes les facettes de la montagne\n\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=\"on\" gutter_width=\"2\" _builder_version=\"4.22.1\" width=\"100%\" max_width=\"1200px\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4552.jpg\" title_text=\"tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4552\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width=\"100%\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" hover_enabled=\"0\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" sticky_enabled=\"0\"]\n\nBien group\u00e9, plein gaz, \u00a9UL<\/a> \/ Gore-Tex<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"800px\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"0|0px||0px|false|false\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n

Un jeune guide qui se professionnalise<\/b><\/h2>\n\u00c0 20 ans, certains clients haussent les sourcils en voyant ce guide \u00e0 baby face<\/em>. \u00ab Mais quand ils sont derri\u00e8re moi avec les crampons, ils sont quand m\u00eame contents que je sois l\u00e0 !<\/em> \u00bb Tom adore cette diversit\u00e9 : \u00ab C\u2019est super de rencontrer plein de gens diff\u00e9rents, mais qui sont tous au m\u00eame niveau une fois l\u00e0-haut.<\/em>\u00a0\u00bb\n\nIl travaille finalement peu comme guide et il vit surtout gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 ses sponsors. \u00ab Ils ne me mettent pas la pression pour les r\u00e9seaux sociaux. Je trouve que c\u2019est un super moyen de partage, mais \u00e7a peut \u00eatre toxique. Je ne suis pas un fou des publications. J\u2019ai m\u00eame pas fait une publi sur le Dhaulagiri !<\/em> \u00bb \u00c0 l'heure ou nos publions cet article, sa derni\u00e8re publication sur Instagram date de d\u00e9but octobre 2025, il y a donc un mois et demi, un temps extr\u00eament long \u00e0 l'heure de l'omnipr\u00e9sence des athl\u00e8tes sponsoris\u00e9s sur les r\u00e9seaux.\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=\"on\" gutter_width=\"2\" _builder_version=\"4.22.1\" width=\"100%\" max_width=\"1200px\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4479.jpg\" title_text=\"tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4479\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width=\"100%\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nTom, nez dans le guidon et t\u00eate dans le G\u00e9ant. \u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"800px\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"0|0px||0px|false|false\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n

Trouver des compagnons, trouver les limites<\/b><\/h2>\nTom reconna\u00eet la difficult\u00e9 de trouver des partenaires avec les m\u00eames exigences : \u00e9thique, niveau technique, gestion du risque, temps, entra\u00eenement. Quant \u00e0 ses propres limites : \u00ab Ce n\u2019est pas facile \u00e0 d\u00e9finir. En escalade, les cotations aident. En montagne\u2026 c\u2019est autre chose. Mais j'ai des limites, don\u2019t worry.<\/em> \u00bb\n\nTom parle lentement, p\u00e8se ses mots, avec un parl\u00e9 qui n'est pas sans rappeler Vivian Bruchez, son mentor, un m\u00e9lange de r\u00e9flexion et de confiance tranquille. C'est un jeune homme qui a grandi entre les montagnes, les camps de base, \u00e0 l'aise avec des clients du monde entier. Il parle d'ailleurs un anglais impeccable \u00ab qu\u2019il n\u2019a pas trop appris \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9cole, plut\u00f4t en voyage<\/em> \u00bb.\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=\"on\" gutter_width=\"2\" _builder_version=\"4.22.1\" width=\"100%\" max_width=\"1200px\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4670.jpg\" title_text=\"tom-lafaille-Ulysse-Lefebvre-4670\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" show_bottom_space=\"off\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" width=\"100%\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font=\"Merriweather|900|||||||\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\n\u00a9UL \/ Gore-Tex<\/a>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_margin=\"-1px|auto||auto||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=\"#000000\" quote_icon_background_color=\"#ffffff\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" body_font=\"Oswald|700||on|||||\" body_text_align=\"center\" body_text_color=\"#000000\" body_font_size=\"30\" use_background_color=\"off\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nje ne sais pas\nce que j'aurais fait \u00e0 sa place\n\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.16\" max_width=\"800px\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"0|0px||0px|false|false\" use_custom_width=\"on\" custom_width_px=\"800\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_font_size=\"18px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n\nIl sait enfin que l\u2019ombre de son p\u00e8re ne dispara\u00eetra jamais vraiment, combien son souvenir reste vivace, vivant : \u00ab Une fois, en comp\u00e9tition d\u2019escalade au gymnase Lafaille de Grenoble, il y a un gars qui vient me dire combien il admire mon p\u00e8re\u2026 avant de me demander s'il est dans la salle.<\/em> \u00bb\nTom ne cherche pas \u00e0 l\u2019effacer, il a appris \u00e0 l'accepter. M\u00eame s'il ne pardonne pas totalement \u00e0 son p\u00e8re d'avoir choisi d'\u00e9pouser les montagnes, il dit aujourd'hui le comprendre : \u00ab Je ne lui pardonne pas tout mais je le comprends... et je ne sais pas ce que j'aurais fait \u00e0 sa place<\/em> \u00bb.\n\nAlors Tom Lafaille avance, simplement, avec sa propre ligne, son propre engagement, et une vision de la montagne qui n\u2019appartient qu\u2019\u00e0 lui. M\u00eame si le Makalu, dans son viseur, pourrait bien \u00eatre un ultime hommage, \u00e0 sa mani\u00e8re, au nom du p\u00e8re.\n\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=\"on\" gutter_width=\"2\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" _module_preset=\"default\" background_color=\"#f2f2f2\" max_width=\"800px\" custom_padding=\"|20px||20px|false|false\" hover_enabled=\"0\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" sticky_enabled=\"0\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_text_color=\"#000000\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"|20px|||false|false\" header_2_font_size_tablet=\"\" header_2_font_size_phone=\"37px\" header_2_font_size_last_edited=\"on|phone\" header_3_font_size_tablet=\"\" header_3_font_size_phone=\"18px\" header_3_font_size_last_edited=\"on|phone\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]\n

TOM UTILISE LES\n<\/strong>PRODUITS GORE\u2011TEX PRO\nNOUVELLE G\u00c9N\u00c9RATION<\/strong><\/h2>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" text_text_color=\"#000000\" text_font_size=\"16\" custom_margin=\"30px||||false|false\" hover_enabled=\"0\" header_3_font_size_tablet=\"\" header_3_font_size_phone=\"18px\" header_3_font_size_last_edited=\"on|phone\" border_style=\"solid\" saved_tabs=\"all\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" sticky_enabled=\"0\"]\n\nLanc\u00e9s cet hiver 2025, les produits GORE\u2011TEX Pro nouvelle g\u00e9n\u00e9ration disposent d'une membrane ePE innovante et sont con\u00e7us pour les athl\u00e8tes et professionnels qui s'attaquent aux environnements extr\u00eames.<\/strong>\n\nQue ce soit en cascades de glace ou sur parois rocheuses, les produits GORE\u2011TEX Pro ont \u00e9t\u00e9 sp\u00e9cialement con\u00e7us pour les conditions les plus difficiles en montagne. <\/strong>\n\nImperm\u00e9abilit\u00e9, effet coupe-vent et respirabilit\u00e9 durables : chaque v\u00eatement b\u00e9n\u00e9ficie des avantages bien connus de la marque GORE-TEX. Ils sont extr\u00eamement robustes, sans PFAS et pr\u00e9sentent une empreinte carbone r\u00e9duite.<\/strong>\n\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=\"https:\/\/www.gore-tex.com\/fr\/technologie\/gore-tex-produits\/pro\" url_new_window=\"on\" button_text=\"DECOUVRIR\" button_alignment=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" custom_button=\"on\" button_text_size=\"24px\" button_text_color=\"#FFFFFF\" button_bg_color=\"#0a0a0a\" button_border_width=\"0px\" button_border_radius=\"0px\" background_layout=\"dark\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/alpinemag.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/eyJwYXRoIjoiZ29yZVwvZmlsZVwvTHlSeG5temc1VkduNEdjUmhETWMuanBlZyJ9-gore-Ifqt-IbBEDAc8KtQWj5mY4msqqxa22Clom2_ocd_jUA.jpeg\" title_text=\"eyJwYXRoIjoiZ29yZVwvZmlsZVwvTHlSeG5temc1VkduNEdjUmhETWMuanBlZyJ9-gore-Ifqt-IbBEDAc8KtQWj5mY4msqqxa22Clom2_ocd_jUA\" show_in_lightbox=\"on\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" _module_preset=\"default\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" _module_preset=\"default\" max_width=\"1200px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_video src=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Si9xXCwXzWE?si=POIooUa8tKLTLeNl\" _builder_version=\"4.24.2\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10,24,48],"tags":[39,843,230,734],"class_list":["post-296429","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alps","category-skiing","category-sponsored","tag-climbing","tag-lafaille","tag-mountaineering","tag-tom-lafaille"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296429","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=296429"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296429\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":296443,"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296429\/revisions\/296443"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/296430"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=296429"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=296429"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpinemag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=296429"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}