Candide Thovex Just Dropped Another Clip, and It’s Unreal

As always, Thovex’s videos leave more questions than answers.

How is he still skiing at the level that he does? Did he get on that millionaire's wacky immortality routine? Is it something in the French water?

It would be one thing if Thovex were skiing well with the 'for his age' caveat attached, but the man clearly needs no handicaps. If a 22-year-old were to appear with his skills, they’d be heralded as an up-and-coming generational talent.

Just look at this double shot at Tignes, France that Thovex dropped last year—this isn’t something a skier who is over the hill could do. Tap or click to watch.

Maybe we’re thinking about aging and skiing wrong, though. 

For instance, some of the best and most competitive modern half pipe skiers on the planet aren’t youngsters. Last December, in Secret Garden, China, all three athletes on the World Cup halfpipe podium—Nick Goepper, Alex Ferreira, and David Wise—were in their 30s, marking a World Cup freeskiing competition first. 

And then there’s Lindsey Vonn, who, at age 40, claimed second in the super-G World Cup race held during finals at Sun Valley, Idaho, last March. She’s now eyeing a return to the Olympics, years after she first decided to retire in 2019.

Everyone I’ve mentioned, from Thovex to Vonn, is, of course, exceptional. These aren’t normal people. I don’t expect to celebrate my 40th birthday with a World Cup silver medal, obviously. 

But for us journeymen skiers, the increasing number of athletes who are 30 or 40 capable of pushing the limits might offer a valuable lesson: skiing isn’t necessarily a young man's or woman’s game. Take care of yourself, and you might be smashing moguls for far longer than you imagine.

Feel free to leave the double backflips to Candide, though.