This episode is dedicated to Pierre Colonge.
Bon voyage Pierrot.
Hello everyone,
To avoid showing highlights yet again this autumn,
we shot a long episode in Iceland last April.
Iceland would fit into France about five times.
It's lost in the middle of the North Atlantic
between Greenland and Norway.
With a yearly average of 3.8 degrees, it's absolutely freezing.
The island straddles the Eurasian and American tectonic plates
with its arse between two chairs, basically.
So they pig out on crap like in North America.
This is a blow to the land of the Hot Dog.
You must have heard of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano
which paralysed the whole of Europe in 2010?
Aside from keeping every plane in Europe on the ground,
this incredible geology has created great mountains for skiing.
The best area for skiing is the Troll peninsula in the north of the country
an area reminiscent of Norway where you can hike around the fjords in spring.
We're on the road out of Reykjavik, heading to the famous Troll peninsula.
But the trip began with a skeleton staff with the legendary JMI Gouadain and yours truly.
Isn't it great? There's the snow!
I couldn't travel at the time.
I was waiting to get my new passport and my ID card had expired 15 years ago.
You can't mess with the Schengen area right now so I waited for a flight three days later.
To keep us company, we'd packed photographer Jérémy Bernard
and the guy with the doc's glasses is our drone pilot Boon, our cameraman Nico's little brother.
A great team to tackle Iceland's changeable weather.
Welcome to the North!
Winter is still well and truly here. We're on the
fringes of the Arctic, after all.
We just had to get to Siglufjordur, where our holiday home awaited us.
Is it the green one or the white one?
It's that one isn't it?
Keep going!
Yes with the red in front!
It won't close!
The next day, once we hadn't shut up the house, we went to recce our ski locations for the next few days.
If we didn't smash the car up.
We headed towards Dalvik where we went fishing for info
in the village watering hole where the local Viking got out his best maps.
What's cool about Iceland is that all you have to do is keep your eyes open along the road,
check the map and choose the day's route.
So we headed for the Saudanes-Hnjukar summit in the Saudarlur Valley.
Sunshine, beautiful snow and spectacular views over the fjord
looks like the black cat didn't have his passport
either.
But knowing that the Icelandic weather is as reliable as François Hollande's promises,
it wasn't going to be easy.
But we weren't going to complain.
The wind is a pain but it gets rid of the clouds.
Damn! We're going straight for the steep slope!!!
And there I was thinking we were on holiday, Nico.
So it was time to clip on our skis and make our first Icelandic turns.
It wasn't bad at all so we set off for a run
and that's when we got acquainted with the piercing, glacial Arctic wind from the North Pole.
We suffered, I can tell you.
Even though we had already survived Scotland, it was just like in the land of the Anglo-Saxons,
we had to get off the mountain.
Let's get out of here.
We've given everything!
We had a great time anyway, the snow conditions were awesome
and it boded well for the trip.
We could head back to the house content.
Good start. I really like it.
We have to listen to some local music.
We're going to Grettislaug.
Nanard, get in the car. We're always waiting for you!
The weather didn't seem to be cooperating the next day.
But that was OK
as we still hadn't tried out the national sport: hot springs.
Thanks to geothermal energy,
there are a ton of hot springs and pools across the island.
This isn't bad at all.
Damn! To think that the others are still at the airport...
Given the outside temperature, the hardest part was getting out.
Since Iceland has become a great footballing nation after one competition,
we had to test the sport in Arctic conditions.
The best bit was striking the ball into our
photographer's arse!
We won't make millions out of it but this is a lot more fun!
On the way back we were full of admiration for what Iceland had to offer
and in a stroke of luck, we stumbled upon what looked like a great place to build a jump.
We just had to pull our fingers out, build the kicker,
and take advantage of the endless evenings to get some pictures.
Yes! That'll do!
Worst case scenario, we get to eat earlier!
Not that I'm partisan or anything...
Holidays in Iceland are pretty cool!
After a few jumps, the evening light was fantastic
so all that was left to do was a few picture-postcard turns to stretch JMI's legs
and make the photographer happy.
I'm ready to get some food now.
I'd be pretty happy to head off now.
Party over, we headed back because the next day was a big one around Argerdi by the Olafsfjordur fjord.
By the time we get up there it'll be sunny. Typical!
I've got some cheese in my backpack.
It's got a bit warm on its travels by the look of things.
Save it for when things go wrong.
New day, new goal: we were heading for the summit Nof Arnfinnsfjall with its 853-metre ascent.
Round here, you always start at sea level and climb around 1,000 metres.
We could only hope that the sun would come out when we got to the top.
Mount Everest without oxygen!
Iceland really is stunning!
Well done Jean Mi
It's rad, this is going to be amazing!
After the ascent in the Bon App helicopter, it was time to enjoy the fruits of our labours.
Not bad!
Of course I'm filming!
It's not everywhere that you can ski at the seaside
and for that reason, Iceland is a real beauty.
Wow! Well played!
And Iceland's beauty isn't all about skiing.
Walking around here is like walking through a postcard.
Passport in hand, it was time for me to stick my nose in and I didn't come empty-handed.
Two Victors for the price of one.
Our friend Victor Muffat Jeandet had just completed a fantastic Alpine season
and was treating himself to a nice ski holiday before going back to pumping iron.
So we head down in a line one after the other?
Yeah, holding hands!
After a good meal and recce, we found a way to get a racing start
Look! We'll make up the lost time and have an adventure.
Really? Like Mike Horn?
Better. Look at these beauties!
I don't have the arms for that.
We'll be off like lightning.
I've got big thighs but my arms aren't up to it.
You can cross 400km of fjords in these.
That's some good gear.
We'll be flying along in them.
Now that's speed!
For those of you who don't understand why Victor's talking like that,
he's just had an immense World Cup season
and finished fifth in the world in giant slalom.
So you'll understand his little competitive streak.
No wind, no swell, no icebergs and no killer whales.
We're good to go.
Damn, this is the life!
Is it more offshore or onshore?...
Offshore!
Let's go! Head that way!
We'd decided to get to the slopes by crossing the fjords in a kayak.
But with the road right there,
the others drove there in two minutes.
It was a good idea but we were a bit over-optimistic.
Guys, it's 10 o'clock already. What time are we getting going?
No more splashing about in the water. It's time to ski now.
Bunch of idiots.
Oh great, they're here now. Maybe we should wait for them?
Yeah, let's wait for them.
You can't tell, but we're actually mates.
Reining in our Mike Horn aspirations, we put the kayaks away
and got our gear on before heading for our first Icelandic run with our buddies.
Just like home!
Are we nearly there?
We're not even halfway there Nico.
The fine team was finally reunited
and we were ready for Olafsfjorduly
which overlooks the village of Olafsfjordur, as you'd expect.
I'm sweating!
My muscles and heart and lungs are fine.
I'm just sizing up my opponents and I'll go in for the kill at just the right moment.
It's always a competition with him.
Friends for life down below but on the slopes, not so much.
We might have been near the Arctic circle but it was bloody roasting.
Thank you Global Warming!
Damn, Iceland really is stunning!
It's not the slalom stadium but it's alright.
Is it the crowd that you like?
It's the show, the audience,
the clicking of the poles,
the screaming girls!
That's all I'm interested in really!
And the cash too!
True, but that's less important.
And that was our first day skiing in Iceland.
Icelandic hospitality
I have to admit that it's not bad at all.
We also had the chance to do our first turns in Iceland.
And skiing above the fjords really is bloody awesome.
Solid support on the way down
no iron crosses though!
Savage!
Oh shit, you've fallen!
That was great!
And when you're still skiing at sunset in Iceland,
that means it's past 10 pm
and it's time to go to bed if you want to stay the distance.
Look, we might see a whale!
We take the chance to go on a little sightseeing detour.
Sightseeing means food
and Iceland has its very own dish:
Hakarl!
Hey mum, I've got you a present.
We'll eat it at Christmas.
My nostrils are in heaven.
I can see two or three stumps.
That's just Greenland shark that they're hanging.
The Greenland shark is unusual in that it has no urinary tract
so it excretes its urine through its whole body, making it toxic.
The only way to make it edible is to hang it to transform the uric acid into a delicious ammonia.
This makes it fit for consumption
but disgusting.
It has an aftertaste...
In the name of God!
I'm off to Kitzbuhel.
Damn, it does have an aftertaste...
That's the first time I've enjoyed spirits.
Liar!
After nutrition, we moved onto physical training.
It was time to find out if Victor Muffat Jeandet was up to the task.
Icelandic fishermen had a good technique to find out how tough people were.
23kg and you're pathetic
54kg and you're a pipsqueak
100kg and you're semi-strong
154kg and you're very strong
We're counting on you for 154kg, Victor.
You have to warm up the pelvis.
Look at that, that's where the 150kg are.
This is where they come in!
That's alright, actually.
I can't pick up the little one.
The legend never really liked video games anyway.
It was time to get back on the skis.
Bye!
For a change of scenery, we went looking for inland routes behind the town of Dalvik
and headed to the mountain of Kotafjall.
Yeah, I'm definitely up for that.
Yesterday I was getting to grips with my gear and how it works. Now I'm going to show what I'm made of, I'm looking forward to it.
Today is the second round, no messing up at the fourth gate!
I'll admit that I came off badly yesterday in the first round compared to Galuchot but anything's possible.
I have to believe it.
I'm going to take on the coach's role.
I'm going to try and let loose.
Because I didn't do as well as Galuchot yesterday.
Today we're going to set off in reverse order, it's called Bibo.
So I'm going to go in front and he's going to stay behind me.
That'll unsettle him!
It's Bibo two!
It's like climbing the back side of Kitzbuhel.
Is this where we blubber because we're only half
way?
It really feels like a 4,000m.
When it's actually a 900m.
After a steep 1,000m climb,
we were really happy to get to the top and take in the surrounding scenery.
That was a long climb, wasn't it?
You can't really see the sea.
It looks like home.
Iceland really is bloody beautiful.
I'm not Killian yet.
Let's get to work!
It'll be pretty good to ski.
It was time to make like lightening and get the most out of the descent.
Fantastic!
We thought the snow would be sick, but not this sick.
Iceland is rad!
I'm going to stay in the little snowballs to the left.
You're stressing me out.
Concentrate.
It's since I saw the video of Kevin Rolland
Yeah but he has reason to stress.
Go on, knock yourself out!
We had a great time and racing man was on top form.
We all joined up mid-slope for the best part of the run.
The best snow!
Time for soup!
After three hours of hiking and an epic run,
we'd earned a bowl of fish soup at the local Viking's.
Look at that... the goodness!
The earth!
It smells more like the sea
They say that in 'Soupe au choux'. (French film)
The best place in Iceland!
Time for soup!
It's not as good as garbure (French dish)
What's garbure?
We can't come to Iceland and not mention geothermal energy.
The country is a real pressure cooker
and home to all these geysers, hot springs and smoky scenery.
It really feels like another planet.
The big Hollywood producers came here to shoot Interstellar for this very reason.
We'll give you a tour.
The following morning, Global Warming was nowhere to be seen.
There were 5 cm of snow and we could see about as far as Ray Charles.
We're switching back into Mike Horn mode.
I think I'll wear two down jackets today.
That's Iceland for you.
Apparently, when there's a 3 km/h wind on the ground,
it's 300 km/h up there.
So let's go for a drive.
I'm not getting out of the car.
Pow today – 1mm!!!
There'll be a thin layer on the injected layer. It'll be good.
Not wanting to admit defeat,
we headed for Dalvik anyway to see if there was any chance at all.
Watch out, that house is going to cross the road!
It'll lift!
We really were feeling very optimistic.
The weather's nice here!
We always knew it'd brighten up!
I mean, Victor and I were feeling really optimistic.
Let's go, you bunch of girls!
Let's go, it's incredible!
We're not going, it's not Amneville.
You'll be skinned alive.
We did it the first day.
We're going to the cafe.
We're going to give it a go anyway.
Bloody hell. You'd think they were Alpine skiers, no joke.
See you later!
And as we'd had our heads ripped off on the first day,
we preferred to grab a coffee in the local bar
while the little ones tried it out for themselves.
Yeah, we had a lovely time.
It'll take more than a little gust of wind to stop us.
Travis Rice, eat your heart out!
It looks like the gamble paid off!
Look, Jean Mi, it's brightening up.
You have to really push the clouds away. I think the wind....
Iceland keeps its promises.
Iceland is just so beautiful.
The grumpy buggers' coffee had better have been really good.
Damn, Iceland!
Amazing!
On our last day of skiing, we were right to try our luck.
We were really lucky with the weather
and hung up our skis happy.
Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the world
but you can be sure of great hospitality from the locals.
And just so you know,
when we went to buy fish at Dalvik harbour,
the local fisherman gave us three cod for the feast that night.
I thought he was going to give me two
and he got out a third.
I told him I was good
but he wanted to give me a fourth!
The guy's emptying the sea for free,
he couldn't care less!
Let's empty it, there's loads. Go on, take them!
Let's go cook it now!
There's loads to eat there.
I love this country.
Everything is easy in Iceland.
Except for the weather.
But you get used to that.
We don't normally cook at the federation.
I normally sit at the table but I'm doing this for the camera.
We're not called Bon Appetit for nothing.
And for our last night,
we did some home cooking
to celebrate our departure and leave the country full to the brim!
Absolute class!
I'm doing the potatoes for the fish.
This going to be great!
You can tell it's fresh because its eye is clear.
Now that's a healthy meal
I don't like fish!
Watch us eat!
It's going to be great!
He wasn't taking the piss,
we really appreciated his fish.
I'm going to ask for this in Ushuaia!
Ahead of the new season,
we'll leave you with the picture postcard highlights of our trip.
This is like commando training.
Eat shit, carry stones and jump into frozen water.
The soles of my feet are shot.
OK it's not bad.
I'm hungry now!
They've done a great job here.
It's not bad but it's better at Eaubonne.
I'm like a slug.
Like at the federation.
Come on experts, let's unload!
Jean Mi, if you massage my feet, I'll make you permanent.
I'm going to do a little internship with Galuchot
to learn how to chuck my skis onto the stones!
I'm used to it with the federation spas all year in the hotels.
Oh shit, I'm going to go round the back.
Thank you again for following us for all these years!
We hope you enjoyed this monster episode.
We'll go back Iceland whenever you like.
Winter is just round the corner.
So see you soon for a new season!
