Maximilien Drion’s ski mountaineering journey began in the winter of 2008/2009, shortly after his family moved from Belgium to Switzerland. Originally an alpine skier, he was introduced to skimo by a local mountain guide and instantly fell in love with the sport and the freedom of the mountains. What started as a passion quickly evolved into a competitive career, though competitiveness was never the initial goal—it simply grew alongside his love for being outdoors and improving his performance.
Maximilien’s proudest achievements include finishing second overall in the World Cup three times. Like many athletes, he faced challenges, particularly during the Covid years, when he even considered stepping away from competition. Today, he balances his training with trail running and sticks to well-developed routines to maintain focus and consistency.
A typical day sees Maximilien training skimo in the morning, followed by trail running in the afternoon. Mental preparation involves creating and adhering to structured routines to stay sharp and confident during competitions.
Outside the sport, Maximilien enjoys playing board games, walking his dogs, creating content for his YouTube channel, and, humorously, eating well. He finds it fun and unusual that he competes for Belgium in a sport dominated by Alpine nations—a fact that often surprises people.
Looking forward, Maximilien aims to compete in the Olympics and improve his overall World Cup ranking. Through his journey, he hopes to show that dedication and professionalism in sport don’t mean you can’t enjoy the process and have fun along the way. To his fans, he says: “Thanks for your support—it makes all the difference.”
