An experience that chimes perfectly with We Rise, our programme celebrating women who are passionate about the mountains.

12:30 p.m.

somewhere halfway between Bourg Saint-Maurice and Les Arcs, Sophie Lechasseur, a Rossignol freerider, shuts the door of the family chalet behind her. With her daughter Pia on her back and a smile on her lips, she lightly trips up the ascent, heading for the alpine trails on a mother-daughter hike. Pia has an incredible view from her mum’s shoulders. As they pass one marker after another, Pia’s mother passes on everything she knows about the mountains. Over there is a hundred-year-old beech, here is a small stream of clear water, and on the horizon is a rolling mountain pasture. With each step, more and more memories are shared as well as laughter.

2:00 p.m.

the crest of Mont Blanc can be discerned. How amazingly lucky they are to be enjoying the great outdoors, the superb panorama of the Alps and that special feeling of being able to share this unique experience as a family.

5:40 p.m.

5:40 p.m.: the light is fading. It’s time to find a place to camp. This is a great place, on a vast plateau, sheltered from the wind and from view. Sophie’s partner, Pia’s dad, Enak Gavaggio, who’s also a freerider, joins them with the tent then slips away to give them some more mother-daughter time.

7:30 p.m.

The air is cool, and the last rays of oblique sunlight fall on a smoking camp stove. This plate of semolina has the flavour of freedom. Pia and Sophie savour it like it’s haute cuisine. They feel good here, at the top of the world.

9:05 p.m.

The first star comes out, spotted by Pia. With the tent’s zip done up, not a sound can be heard. It’s time to go to sleep, nestled against each other. Hey, it’s time to recharge their batteries because tomorrow they have to go back down again. They’ll definitely come back though.