Xavier de Le Rue (France), a legendary professional snowboarder who won the FWT three times (2008-2010) and is also known for his extreme big mountain riding. This fall, "Of A Lifetime," a film about his family's adventure to the Antarctic, will be coming to Japan as part of the Banff Film Festival's world tour. Our editorial team saw the film at an advance screening and would like to introduce the film, focusing on some of the most memorable scenes
Featured work: "Of A Lifetime"
The most terrifying sea in the world
This film is a documentary about Xavier's Antarctic adventure with his brother Victor, who is also a professional snowboarder, and his 18-year-old daughter Mila, a skier. The story begins with a boat crossing the Drake Passage, known as "the most terrifying ocean in the world," with its incredible depth of 6,000 meters, waves up to 15 meters high, and strong winds
After days of being tossed about by rough seas that make it difficult to eat properly, they finally arrive in Antarctica, a place where no human activity other than research and exploration is permitted. It is a remote area where no rescue will come if something goes wrong. Supplies are limited, and the risks involved in the challenge are completely different from those on other continents. In such a harsh environment, the three men encourage each other as they push their limits. Their determined efforts and the succession of breathtaking scenery are the highlights of this film
cool birthday presents
In fact, this adventure was also a gift from Xavier to his daughter Mila, who turned 18 during the trip. The idea of preparing such a stylish gift - a survival environment where she could grow twice as much - is something only a veteran extreme athlete could come up with. During Mila's challenge of climbing and sliding down the ice wall alone, there was a moment when she shed tears at how steep the wall was. However, the scene was just like a "lion's cub dropping," and it was impressive to see the father quietly watching over his daughter, praying for her growth by giving her such a difficult challenge
His father is a legend
Let me tell you a little about my father, Xavier, the mastermind behind this adventure
Xavier de la Rue grew up at the foot of the French Pyrenees Mountains, and playing in nature was a part of his life from an early age. After about 10 years of skiing, he started snowboarding at the age of 13. After winning a gold medal in the X Games Snowboard Cross and becoming the world's best, he dominated the Freeride World Tour (FWT) three years in a row from 2008 to 2010. He has firmly established himself as one of the world's top riders, winning the "Best Line" award twice in both skiing and snowboarding at the FWT. He truly deserves to be called a "legend."
Xavier's activities extend beyond riding, encompassing a wide range of activities, from his own social media accounts to video projects and environmental activism. In 2025, he collaborated with The North Face to produce the " A-68a collection ," a line of clothing designed for circulation and recycling. Named after the giant iceberg "A-68a" that broke off in the South Atlantic, this series is designed for use in extreme environments, and was worn and tested on this Antarctic expedition.
Cold waters where whales swim
As you can see, this film focuses on skiing and snowboarding, but even the most experienced skiers are met with a succession of breathtaking scenes that exceed even their wildest imaginations.
For example, there's a steep 60-degree slope that even a pro would struggle to traverse. With whales swimming about in the cold ocean beneath their feet, even high-tech expedition gear means drowning once. In such situations, the concept of a "steep slope" changes. The key is not how to navigate it, but how to safely reach the bottom. And even once you reach the bottom, you can't relax—you have to be on your toes until you board the boat. Unlike
the typical "ski resort with an ocean view" you might expect at a resort, skiing on an iceberg with only ocean and no land in sight transcends the notion of "which run to ski" or "which mountain to aim for"—it broadens your perspective and allows you to consider which continent to ski on.
There was also a moment when there was no time to be scared and they had to slide down the glacier before it gave way. What will you challenge yourself to do and what will you gain from it in a limited time and space? It must have been a moment that made you keenly aware that this is a sport that pits you against nature, but also a battle with yourself
Hike with Penguins
There is no doubt that these experiences in Antarctica were intense enough to completely change one's outlook on life, both as a skier and as a person. What I personally envied most was hiking alongside the penguins. It was an experience that could only be had in Antarctica, and it must have been a brief moment of peace and healing amidst an adventure full of excitement and danger
Amazing photography techniques
You will be overwhelmed by the breathtaking sight of nature and lose track of time as you gaze upon it, but what we must not forget is that neither the athletes' creative activities nor the films they make would exist without someone to record them
The film was produced by Jérôme Tanon, . He began working as a snowboard photographer in 2007 and has won numerous awards for his unique photography techniques and expressive methods. Not just in this film, but in many other films, paying attention to the many surprising photography techniques that make you wonder, "How on earth did they do that?" will make the film even more entertaining.
"Of A Lifetime" As the title implies, "once in a lifetime," this 44-minute film will draw you into the charms of the special continent of Antarctica. By the time you finish watching, you may find yourself with a new goal or destination in mind
Information
Xavier de Le Rue
official website: https://www.xavierdelerue.net/
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival in Japan 2025
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