Skiing on Etna’s lapilli, with Shanty Cipolli

Hi Shanty, tell us something about you.

I was born and currently live in Aosta, although I have lived in different places in my life. My passion for skiing was born very early. At the age of 2 my father took me skiing in the backpack with him for the first time and from there it was just an evolution: ski competitions, ski clubs and much more, but I was often bored, I only had fun in difficult snow situations. So I started practicing ski cross and after an injury one of my coaches pushed me to try freeriding. I started to stay more and more in the mountains and now I am also an aspiring Mountain Guide.

What kind of skier are you?

I love all snow conditions, the worse it is, the more I enjoy it! I like difficult and even complex snow situations and I try at all costs and on every slope to ski well, without ever neglecting aesthetics. The latter remains an important factor for me and in fact in the latest video in collaboration with Mammut on Etna it is the key factor.

From snow to lapilli, by now you have skied everywhere, how did you become so strong? Was it a natural evolution or do you constantly look for increasingly top performances?

I think it was my continuous search for difficult situations and conditions that made me grow and that still allows me to improve day after day. It is also a motivation that pushes me every day to go out and always test myself.

What is your relationship with nature and the outdoors? 

I have always had a close relationship with nature, I have always loved the outdoor life, sleeping under the stars, bivouacking. I try to go out every moment possible because it makes me feel really good. For example, now that I have returned to live in the city center, I miss the woods a little.

“There are particular winds that blow circularly around the volcano and in a few seconds make the temperatures change, from mild heat to humid and freezing cold. Snow conditions are difficult and unstable. Not to mention the volcano which is highly unpredictable due to its continuous possible eruptions.”

We saw your last project with Mammut on Mount Etna, how was this idea born? 

In truth, it was born quite randomly. I was already on Etna to ski with Francesco Perrone because we were shooting Arriskicini, a personal project. That day it both snowed and erupted, the conditions were spectacular and so we moved as fast as possible, also contacting Mammut and the crew to carry out the project immediately.

Etna is an active volcano but with very mild temperatures. Instead, you managed to show us another aspect of it. Do you think it is a truly hospitable mountain for skiers?

Being used to the Alps, it turns out to be a hospitable environment! However, it can offer many possibilities. There are particular winds that blow circularly around the volcano and in a few seconds make the temperatures change, from mild heat to humid and freezing cold. Snow conditions are difficult and unstable. Not to mention the volcano which is highly unpredictable due to its continuous possible eruptions.

Despite the difficulties, you managed to ski on a terrain that was not at all simple. How is it to ski and cornering on these lapilli? Did you expect it to be simpler?

No, absolutely no! It was terrible! Had I known in advance, I would have built a ski ideal for these conditions, perhaps with Teflon or in any case with a material that would have help me sliding on the snow. With normal skis, once the lower part was worn out, everything was fine, but at first they did not slide at all. The lapilli looks like sandpaper that hooks and blocks the ski base. Precisely for this reason I fell several times but fortunately not in dangerous points. After a few days, however, I was also able to adapt the skiing technique putting my weight a little backward, keeping the ski as flat as possible and using some tricks that made me slide a little more.

The equipment in the world of skiing is essential, even more in these extreme conditions. What gears/products did you choose for this project? Did you throw the skis away at the end?

I used Elan Ripstick 106, a freeride model which didn’t break as much as you might expect. However, they are completely worn out now, there is no longer the base, only the wood remains. As boots I used Fischer Ranger 130. On the other hand, in terms of clothing, I tested several Mammut products, such as the La Liste Pro HS jacket, with which I felt very comfortable and despite some falls on the lapilli resisted well!

This winter many people have discovered alpine skiing, do you think it will be a passing trend?

Actually I prefer ski resorts, because they allow you to ski for much longer time than skins. In my opinion, the lockdown has undoubtedly stimulated people to discover a new sport and to approach outdoor activities in a different way, but we still need to work a lot on awareness of the dangers that may exist. In fact, if you look at statistics, you can see that there have been many more injuries this year in the areas where the resorts have remained closed than where they were open. In my opinion, however, people who started alpine skiing this year will continue to practice it next year, perhaps alternating it with classic skiing.

What did you like about Sicily and its population?

Hospitality. We actually had some difficulties due to the pandemic, for example in finding places where to eat, but we also met some wonderful people, such as the Guides and volcanologists who helped and supported us and the ladies who hosted us.

You’ve shown us that you can ski even in unlikely places and that sometimes “where” is more important than “how”. What do you think and what importance do you give to the journey?

The journey is definitely more important than the destination. You can travel even half an hour from home, you don’t have to go to the other side of the world. For example, starting on foot from your garden and walking for two days can certainly give us an experience that is perhaps more rewarding than taking a flight. The way you travel changes everything.

Future projects? Are you planning to ski in even more unusual places?

I am planning a trip to Mongolia, I am still collecting info and if borders will reopen there will certainly be a lot to explore! Near my house there are many descents that I would like to do both on Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa, but the real dream would be skiing on the Matterhorn.