When Snowboarding Becomes Art: Pierre Vaultier’s Hypnotic Pumptrack on a Frozen Lake | News

| by Glxbal Labz |

Pierre Vaultier rides where the elements don’t usually allow - his latest feat, Floating Shapes, saw him carving and flowing across a partially frozen lake on a gravity-defying pumptrack, his snowboard slicing through ice and water as if the laws of nature bent to his will. What seemed impossible transformed into the unexpected, as Vaultier blurred the line between athleticism and art on the delicate surface of Pontillas Lake.

The 80/20 Snapshot:

Revolutionary Performance: Pierre Vaultier’s Floating Shapes transforms snowboarding with a pumptrack ride across a partially frozen lake, blending athleticism and visual art.

Meticulous Precision: Vaultier demonstrates extraordinary skill, navigating narrow track sections with flawless control, where even a slight misstep could send him plunging into the water at 1°C.

Ethereal Landscape: Set against the pristine Pontillas Lake and the dramatic Serre-Chevalier mountains, Vaultier’s performance unfolds on an otherworldly stage.

Performance Synergy: Partnering with Prada Linea Rossa, Vaultier’s gear combines innovation and style, enhancing both his mobility and the visual storytelling.

Artistic Expression: Moving beyond freestyle snowboarding, Floating Shapes emphasizes fluidity, balance, and creativity, elevating the sport to an artistic performance.

Deep Dive:

- Riding in Serre Chevalier Valley, located in the French Alps, Pierre Vaultier transformed technical mastery into visual poetry, turning the frigid landscape into a living canvas. With each carve and jump, the two-time Olympic champion showcased a breathtaking fusion of precision, adaptability, and sheer creativity, proving that snowboarding is about more than just defying gravity - it’s also an art form in motion.

- Since 2019, Vaultier has been exploring the uncharted territories of snowboarding, seeking to innovate in ways never seen before. Floating Shapes is the latest evolution in a series of ambitious projects - including Shapes, Reshapes, and Red Bull Dual Shapes - that push the limits of snowboarding by crafting unique courses and challenges that break traditional conventions.

- Vaultier’s ability to blend technical precision with creative vision sets this project apart. By crafting an entirely new kind of snowboarding landscape, he redefined the limits of the sport, testing both the body’s endurance and the creativity of the mind.

- The project's true distinction lies in its setting - the snowboarder chose to install a pumptrack (a specially designed track that riders navigate using their body movements to generate speed) on the delicate surface of a partially frozen lake. The pristine Pontillas Lake and the breathtaking Serre-Chevalier mountain backdrop combined to create an otherworldly stage for Vaultier’s performance.

- More than just a technical feat, this project is a visual and emotional journey. The track’s ‘flow’ was meticulously designed to harmonise with the natural surroundings, allowing Vaultier to move seamlessly across water and ice. The result is an ethereal spectacle that captures both the raw power and the elegance of snowboarding.

- “The idea was to create something totally original, different from anything else,” Vaultier explains. “With the lake, we've risen to the challenge. The images are incredible and the aesthetics of this project are a world away from what we usually see,” he added.

- Riding this track required an unmatched level of skill. Certain sections narrowed to just 50 centimetres, leaving no margin for error. Every movement had to be calculated with absolute precision - just a two-centimetre deviation from the course could send Vaultier plunging into ice-cold water at 1°C.

- Unlike conventional freestyle snowboarding, where explosive tricks dominate, Floating Shapes demanded a different kind of mastery. Here, agility, balance, and fluidity took precedence, transforming the pumptrack into a canvas where Vaultier painted each movement with intention and control.

- Supporting Vaultier’s endeavour is Prada Linea Rossa, a brand known for its fusion of performance-driven innovation and sleek aesthetics. Their high-tech garments provided Vaultier with the flexibility and insulation needed to perform in such demanding conditions, offering both practicality and visual cohesion in this ambitious project.

- Prada’s advanced textile developments allowed Vaultier to move with total freedom, guaranteeing that every trick and transition maintained its artistic integrity. The synergy between cutting-edge apparel and elite-level performance added another layer of sophistication to the visual storytelling of Floating Shapes.

Dive into Floating Shapes and how Pierre Vaultier pushes the limits of snowboarding [HERE]...