Interview with our Alps guide

Eric comes from a long line of mountain guides and has led long-distance hiking trips throughout Europe, especially in the Alps, since he began guiding in 1979. Eric speaks French, English, Italian, and German, is an avid skier, and has developed great relationships with local people along the route.

Eric is also involved heavily with the Valais canton, writing guidebooks and maintaining trail markings. He is very knowledgeable about all food, flora, and fauna in the region and is a great traveling companion with a lot of pride for where his roots have been for generations. Eric is warm and welcoming, and visitors can rest assured they have a fantastic leader who knows all the ins and outs of the routes.

What first got you interested in guiding?
I was born and raised in Chamonix, a place with an economy based on hosting guests from all over the world, so they can discover the incredible beauty of the area, topped by the highest mountain in the Alps!

What makes the Alpine region so special?
Its deep background of mountaineering (1786 was the first ascent of Mont-Blanc); traditional agriculture with roots dating to the 15th century, high needle-like peaks covered with ice and snow, all the obvious evidence of a young and spectacular mountain range that is reachable and right there in front of you, and also, the numerous countries along the Alps each with its own character and traditions.

What’s your favorite thing to teach/show travelers about your country?
All of it! The history, the food, the geology—why things and people are the way they are!

Where would you like to go that you haven’t explored yet?
The rest of the world—I will run out of time I am afraid—specifically, South America and Nepal.

What do you enjoy most about guiding?
Being outdoors, being active, exploring and sharing the region with people, and teaching them what I know about the area.

What’s your favorite food?
Cheese—there are so many of them and all so good!

If you could meet anyone living or dead, who would it be and why?
My Dad, so I could tell him all that I did not have time to say, learn from him still, share our love for the mountains, then go and climb them on the same rope.

Do you have a personal motto that you try to live by?
On a church wall, it is written “Bien faire et laisser dire,” which translates into something like “Do your very best, and let the others talk about it.”