My name is Jean-Michel Poupart and I live in the Chamonix Valley, in Servoz, with my family and my two dogs.
From an early age on, I was attracted by great outdoors and related activities like throwing snowballs, riding the slopes, bivouacking in the forest or fly fishing in the rivers.
I grew up on the countryside not far from Paris but too far away from the Alps. Later on, I studied physics in the capital which brought me naturally to Chamonix to test out the gravity and light propagation's laws!
As an established skiing instructor for 20 years in Chamonix and Megève, I also give snowboard, telemark lessons and off piste guiding. My favorite après ski is a glass of wine, maybe a "Chardonnet", one of the peaks I climbed in the Chamonix Valley!
I'm also a Mountain Leader member of the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, the oldest and largest guides association in the world, established in 1821.
I regularly lead treks in the Alps, such as the Tour du Mont Blanc or Chamonix-Zermatt.
Whether hiking or skiing, I claim a particular interest in leading clients from all over the world and tremendously enjoy sharing my passion with them.
I hope to meet you soon!
Languages:
- English speaking: fluent
- Russian speaking: intermediate
Diplomas:
- Four years Ski and Snowboard State Instructor Diploma delivered in 2001 by the National Ski School of Chamonix
- Two years Mountain Leader State Diploma earned in 2001
- Three years BA in physics and chemistry from Paris VI - Pierre et Marie Curie University - earned in 1993
Off piste experience:
- Qualification from the Ski and Snowboard State Instructor Diploma (1997- 2001)
- Five years specialisation (2001-2006) with UCPA ski and snowboard school of Argentiere, guiding off piste in Chamonix but also in Val d'Aoste, Italy (Courmayeur, La Tuile, Pila, Breuil Cervinia, Gressonney, Alagna); Valais, Switzerland (Verbier, Zinal, Saas Fee, Sass Grund, Zermatt); Oberland, Switzerland (Les Diablerets, Adelboden, Grindelwald, Muren, Wengen); Central Switzerland (Engelberg, Andermatt, Disentis); Dolomites, Italy (Arraba, Marmolada, Canazei, Val Gardena, Cortina d'Ampezzo)