Every year, Altigliss organizes the GEM Altigliss Challenge student ski and snowboard world cup. Henri Bernard, president of the Grenoble EM association, reveals behind the scenes of his association, but also of what is the largest student sliding event in Europe.
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
My name is Henri BERNARD, I am a student in 2th year of the Grande École Program at Grenoble EM and I am the president of Altigliss for this year 2020-2021.
Every year, Altigliss brings together students for the GEM Altigliss Challenge. Can you tell us more about this event which is the biggest student ski challenge in Europe?
Altigliss is a student association which organizes each year the student ski and snowboard world cup: the GEM Altigliss Challenge. This event brings together more than 1,000 students from 45 French and foreign Grandes Écoles around sporting competitions but also events diverse and varied in the prestigious resort of Val d’Isère. We also organize lots of other events during the year such as the ski fair or ski weekends.
Coming back to Altigliss, this event brings together students from France and Europe around three major challenges. The ski challenge, for high-level skiers who want to compete in well-known events such as special slalom or parallel slalom. The mountain challenge, for fans of extreme sports who want to challenge themselves in biathlon events or simulated searches for avalanche victims. Finally, for non-skiers, there is the village challenge which is made up of fun and original events to set the mood in the village.
Beyond the competition, our participants have access to the entire Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area and are invited to our partner village for lunch, snacks and drinks with a concert. They will also have the opportunity to enrich their network by meeting our many partners present on site throughout the week.
Plus, no time to get bored thanks to the 3 events which participants will be able to attend: the Ride Her First, a freestyle competition, the Trophée des Valeurs, focused on disabled sports and sustainable development and finally the Altistartup, a gondola pitch competition. In summary, it’s a sporty, cool week full of meetings!
How does recruitment take place?
Recruitment is done in two parts. First, each candidate applies by answering a questionnaire on the positions for which they applied. Then, they undergo an interview structured in two parts: one called “pro” part and the other called “flex”, because we seek to understand each candidate in all their aspects. We are looking for serious people who will be able to integrate into our big family.
Why would you advise a student to join Altigliss?
Joining Altigliss means, above all, embarking on an incredible human and educational adventure. Taking part in the organization of an event as large as that of the GAC gives us a lot of responsibility and allows us to learn every day. Each member brings their personal touch to the project and it is precisely this that creates the richness of the GAC. Beyond the professional aspect of our association, by joining Altigliss, we join a fantastic team and we build strong bonds.
How are you going to organize yourself this year, with the coronavirus?
In order to guarantee a qualitative event despite a very uncertain health context, we will prepare an edition which can evolve and adapt at any time to take into account the new health measures. The objective is to offer a responsible event that will limit the circulation of the Covid-19 virus as much as possible, while maintaining the objectives that are important to us: satisfying our participants and our partners.
This year is difficult and frustrating for many of us, so we absolutely want to offer a fun week where everyone can enjoy it to the fullest.
What new features do you want to bring to your edition?
Our edition is being prepared in a very particular and uncertain context. The first innovation will therefore be to create a fully adaptable model that can comply with the measures that will be in force on D-day.
This year we also want to highlight the Trophée des Valeurs: a day entirely dedicated to disabled sports and sustainable development. This project is close to our hearts, it is focused on values that we all share within the association and it raises awareness among our participants through immersive events and activities.
Can you tell me a little more about Altigliss’ budget?
Our budget amounts to €850,000! The GEM Altigliss Challenge welcomes more than 1,000 participants to whom we offer packs including: accommodation, package, food (morning, noon and evening), access to the village and the various concerts and shows. We finance our project with the money paid by participants when they register but also thanks to various grants from our partners.
After the GAC, what will be your next step?
After the GEM Altigliss Challenge, I plan to find a good gap year internship where I can continue to learn great things, gain experience while using what I learned during these two unforgettable years.
Finally, what did the “Altigliss” experience bring to you personally?
The “Altigliss” adventure brought me a lot. It’s a real professional experience in a fairly idyllic setting. I learned a lot, I was able to discover sectors that were previously unknown to me. But above all I feel lucky to have been able to meet and interact with such brilliant people. This experience also allowed me to grow and learn more about myself and the manager I would like to be tomorrow.
Interview carried out by the Altigliss association
