Alan Zanini

Switzerland

My passion for the mountains started when I was a child, when I climbed my very first peak. Standing at the foot of the mountain, I felt so tiny and that the peak was so out of reach. Many hours later, I eventually reached the top and was amazed at the beautiful view and felt so proud of myself being able. I told myself thatI want to live the spirit of the mountain and I want to spend the rest of my life climbing mountains and that's how my dream was born. In addition, I am passionate about many other outdoor activities. I enjoy staying outside especially in the cold weather - below zero and freezing. I'm an old-school alpinist, and normally I have to tread snow, both in winter and summer. From time to time, I enjoy walking alone in the mountains, especially when I have something on my mind. And of course, I always enjoy the acquaintance of some mountain animals, taking pictures and unpredictable mountain weather. To me, mountains are living souls. I found ski-mountaineering a bit later in my life, but now I just freeride. I "think freeride" and I always have a lot of emotions and great memories of every run. In my opinion, nothing makes me feel better than skiing lines in fresh powder. When I ski down mountains at an incredibly fast speeds, I feel the real freedom and I know the mountain is watching over me. I love my mountains but they aren't everything . I love going out with friends, riding my bike, having parties, apres-ski and drinking beer!! Now Black Diamond has given me a precious opportunity and I think it's the best for me. I have still many dreams to realize on other continents but I've promised myself to leave only after I have climbed all of our Alps.

That's all!

Why you want to climb mountains? "Because they're there". (George Mallory)

Birthday? 17.05.1978

Year you first started at Black Diamond? September 2008

Memory/story of your first week at Black Diamond? I was very excited when I saw skis and climbing gear everywhere! That was really great!

What does working at Black Diamond mean to you? Just having a great experience.

If you weren't working for Black Diamond, what would you be doing? I think that I would have continued at my previous job in Ticino (the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland).

Worst job you've ever had? My first job, when I was an apprentice in a small office.

Do you have any pets? No, I would need more time for that.

Favorite sports/activities? Ski Freeride and Alpinism.

Favorite climbing/skiing area and why? Ski Area? West Coast of Canada. You can find perfect snow-- real powder and really a lot of it!

Climbing Area? Our Alps, it's unbelievable!

Best climbing/skiing experience? For sure, Heli-skiing in British Columbia last March.

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? Freeriding in Alaska and Kamtchatka with my best freerider friends!

Guilty pleasure? Backcountry skiing alone, which is sometimes dangerous.

BD gear you use every time you go climbing/skiing? My Verdict Skis, Avalung and my Cobra Ice Axe.

What/who inspires you? Trying to find fresh powder and being alone. Then I can go ‘my own way' and this makes me very proud.

What's in your iPod? Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Three things you'd never travel without? A good book, my friends and my camera.

Superstitions? No, not yet. I don't believe in these things.

What's your dream job? Heli-pilot

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be? My father - George Mallory - Jerzy Kukuzka.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? One tattoo, on my right calf.