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Let’s meet Matthias Giraud, aka Super Frenchie, a ski BASE jumper
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your background?
(c) Remi Portier
I’m Matthias Giraud, “Super Frenchie”, a professional mountain athlete specialising in skiing, BASE jumping and, above all, the combination of these two sports.Born in Évreux in 1983, I grew up with a burning passion for the mountains that I discovered during the holidays before becoming a resident of Haute-Savoie when I joined a ski-study programme and became part of the Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce team, and later the Megève team. I have been fortunate enough to complete several first-ever ski BASE jumps around the world, and particularly in our Mont Blanc massif. Now based in Bend, Oregon, I continue to dedicate myself to skiing and BASE jumping, whilst also being a dad and sharing my philosophy of commitment and risk-taking through talks and documentaries.
How did your passion for extreme sports begin?
(c) Rémi Portier
My passion stems from a promise I made to myself at a very young age: never to live with regrets like my father, a former parachutist who reluctantly became a doctor after an injury.
It is not a vocation driven by adrenaline but a journey of passion and fulfilment. I’ve always been obsessed with discovering a dimension beyond our natural limits and refused to live a life of restraint. Ski mountaineering and BASE jumping are my existential pillars, the foundation of a meaningful existence, because passions must be honoured with diligence. “The mission is sacred; you carry it out to the very end”.
How and when did the partnership with Opinel come about?
I grew up with an Opinel in my pocket! Whether building treehouses in the forest or going on mountain walks as a child, my Opinel was an indispensable tool, a symbol of discovery. Ever since, I’ve always had one in my bag! The partnership with Opinel developed naturally around alpine authenticity, and the pleasure of sharing our mountain heritage.
Do you have a favourite spot in the Alps?
Mont Blanc remains my sanctuary. That’s where I’ve completed the most significant ski BASE jumps of my career.
I simply love exploring the slopes of Saint-Gervais/Megève/Saint-Nicolas, taking a trip to the Aiguille du Midi and, of course, the Aiguille Croche, where I first began combining freeriding with BASE jumping. I often return to where I grew up and, above all, where my life found its meaning. The bonds with a land that is dear to us are indestructible.
What are your favourite places to have a good time with friends or family?
When I’m in the US, a day’s skiing with the family at Mt Bachelor followed by a good meal at home. I love cooking with my wife and son and enjoying delicious home-cooked meals, or going for a surf along the Oregon coast. I’m lucky to be able to enjoy both the mountains and the ocean here.
When I return to the Mont Blanc region, it’s often for a great project in the mountains with my cameraman Stefan Laude and my friend and guide Alex Perinet. Alex has become the voice of reason in the mountains and helps me with lots of projects, such as the Aiguille Blanche de Peuterey or BASE skiing from the summit of Mont Blanc. We often end up having a lovely BBQ on his terrace, facing the Aiguille Croche. His house has become my base camp, in a way! It’s the house of happiness. And of course, we all meet up in the village of Megève often to have a drink with friends and share our stories or plan our next mountain adventures.
What’s your ideal routine after a busy day in the mountains?
There isn’t really a routine, and that’s what’s brilliant, as we have to adapt to the conditions all the time. But after a project, the bulk of the work begins. We have to compile all the footage and start editing the videos. The first step when you have a passion is to live it to the full, and the second—which is just as important—is to share it.
When we’re filming for several days for a film, we have to get our gear ready as quickly as possible so we’re ready to head out again, eat well and, above all, try to get as much sleep as possible. It’s difficult to get all these tasks done after the action, as it’s a time for deep, conscious reflection – analysing every detail of the day, because in my field, every detail counts. "Success lies in the vision; survival lies in the details."
Do you have an outdoor activity or hike you’d recommend for exploring the Savoie region?
(c) Rémi Portier
I love going to the Plan Glacier refuge; it’s a long, magnificent hike that gives you a taste of the high mountains without being on a glacier.
The hike passes by the chalets of Miage, a beautiful mountain hamlet.
Alternatively, take a paragliding flight from the Aiguille du Midi to soar over the Chamonix Valley.
For the more daring, a tandem skydive with Chamonix Mont Blanc Hélicoptère for a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc.
What knife do you always carry with you on your adventures?
(c) Thierry Vallier
On my expeditions, I always carry an Opinel No. 8 Outdoor – the perfect size, neither too big nor too small. Its legendary reliability and ease of use make it the ideal tool for the mountains.
But beyond the tool itself, it’s the philosophy behind it that speaks to me: an object whose essence hasn’t changed for over a century, remaining true to its original purpose. Just like in my ritual preparation, every action counts – whether it’s preparing a meal at the mountain hut, cutting a rope, or sharing a piece of cheese with my climbing partners.
Do you have an anecdote or a memory involving an Opinel?
(c) Rémi Portier
For our wedding, we gave an Opinel No. 08 Black Oak with "Strength and Love", our couple’s motto, engraved on the handle.
Every time I head into the mountains for a difficult mission, I cling to those words that my wife reminds me of before I leave.
A reminder that the aim is to come home safely and not to lose my head, even if sometimes the margin for error is slim.
What’s more, giving a knife as a gift carries a lot of symbolism: protection, trust and respect.
Your favourite Opinel?
I particularly like the No. 10 Corkscrew Bottle Opener! It’s quintessentially French and really popular in the US; it reminds me of the importance of eating well and sharing a good bottle of wine from time to time, even though I rarely drink alcohol! It’s a symbol of the French way of life.
Opinel in three words
Reliable. Authentic. Savoyard.
Reliable because in the mountains, I need tools that will never let me down – "survival is in the details.". Authentic, Opinel is a symbol of our traditions. And Savoyard because it is the perfect embodiment of our mountain heritage – the mountains where my life has found its meaning, this heritage passed down from generation to generation.
