Vincent Colliard
Introduce yourself!
My name is Vincent Colliard, a 38-year-old French polar explorer and expedition guide with a big love for Norway, living in Northern Norway.
What kind of activities do you do?
I mainly explore the most remote corners of the planet on skis.
What are you passionate about?
Traveling to places where humans really shouldn’t be able to live.
Name some achievements you are proud of:
When it comes to expeditions, I would like to mention “Pas ce soir, chérie!”. I am proud to have recently set a speed record, solo and unsupported, from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole in 22 days, 6 hours and 8 minutes.
The “Njord” expedition with my partner in crime Caroline Côté. We did the first unsupported winter crossing of Svalbard, 1135 km in 63 days. It was an amazing experience! But what I am most proud of on this trip is that during the entire expedition we did not criticize each other. We always worked together to find the best solution.
I am also very proud to have been Børge Ousland's partner on more than 10 expeditions.
What I am most proud of is that when the war broke out in Ukraine, a friend and I drove an ambulance with medical equipment from the UK all the way to Kharkiv in Eastern Ukraine, just 30 km from the front line. We donated the ambulance to the hospital and took the train back to the Ukrainian-Polish border.
What or who has inspired you to keep doing what you do?
The Vikings, who discovered the world!
What environmentally conscious choices do you make in your everyday life and when you are out on a trip?
I eat local food and plant a tree every time I fly.
What is your best travel experience? And worst?
My best travel experience is becoming the fastest person to reach the South Pole.
I have not had any bad experiences on my expeditions. There is always something positive to take away, and important lessons to learn from every trip. It's all about how you look at it.
Have you ever been scared on a trip? What did you learn from it?
Many times! Fear keeps me sharp and challenges me to grow as a person.
What's the best thing about being out in nature?
Reuniting with the elements we all come from! But also the silence, the feeling of vulnerability, the need to find solutions to challenges, and the understanding that I shouldn't take fresh water, electricity, and a roof over my head for granted when I'm back home.
What is your dream trip?
To cross the Arctic Ocean alone and without support.
Where would you like to be right now?
Freediving for scallops in Northern Norway. Or somewhere secluded in the Arctic Ocean...
Where will you be in 10 years?
I hope to be in Norway, going skiing with my son Leif and his mother, Caro, who is a true polar ninja.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I am fascinated by dinosaurs and it is hard for me to choose a favorite. I always waver between pterodactyls and raptors. I often end up listening to playlists with dinosaur sounds.
What are your favorite shoes from ALFA?
Polar APS with map anchors. With this setup, my feet feel at home, even when I am on an expedition to some of the most remote corners of the planet.
