Loïs Abouly: a speed skier shaped by the Belleville valley

A childhood rooted in the Belleville valley

Loïs Abouly grew up in the Belleville valley, a place she describes as foundational to her entire career. "My whole life has been built around this valley," she says. At Les Menuires, she learned to ski as a child, surrounded by her family and childhood friends. She sees this family setting in the mountains as the true foundation of her commitment to skiing.

Trained at the Club des Sports des Menuires

Loïs Abouly was a member of the Club des Sports des Menuires up to U16 level. There, she took her first steps in competition and built the technical and mental foundations she regards as essential to her later progress towards top-level skiing. This local training marked the first structured stage of her sporting development.

Choosing the speed disciplines

Living in the mountains, Loïs Abouly took to skiing as her first sport almost as a matter of course. The enjoyment, the sensation of sliding, the adrenaline and the freedom drove her to compete. She then turned to the speed disciplines, which she says demand particular rigour and commitment to perform at the highest level.

Phil Mermoz, a decisive influence

Among the coaches who have shaped her career, Loïs Abouly singles out Phil Mermoz, her coach in the youth group during her first season with the Fédération Française de Ski. She remembers his willingness to listen and his passion for the discipline. "He always pushed me to improve and to understand why I was skiing," she explains.

From Tarentaise to the World Cup group

After the Club des Sports des Menuires, Loïs Abouly joined the Tarentaise district, where she was introduced to the Fédération Internationale de Ski circuit, before moving up to the Comité Savoie. She then progressed through the federal groups, from the youth group to the European Cup, before joining the World Cup speed group within the France A team. Competing on the World Cup circuit, she is aiming for the 2030 Winter Olympics, to be held in France, as her target for top-level performance in the speed disciplines.

Key points

1. Loïs Abouly learned to ski at Les Menuires, in the Belleville valley, where she grew up.
2. She trained at the Club des Sports des Menuires up to U16 level, before joining the Tarentaise district and then the Comité Savoie.
3. She specialised in the speed disciplines within Alpine skiing.
4. Phil Mermoz, her coach in the youth group during her first season with the Fédération Française de Ski, is cited as a key influence on her progress.
5. She now skis for the France A team, within the World Cup speed group, with the 2030 Winter Olympics in France as her target.