Under Antarctica Val d’Isère championing polar science

Under Antarctica is the first ever kite-skiing expedition across Antarctica, undertaken for the benefit of polar science. Val d’Isère has joined this extraordinary adventure!

News | 28 November 2025

A human and scientific adventure like no other!

Driven by the same thirst for exploration and discovery, explorer Matthieu Tordeur and glaciologist Dr Heïdi Sevestre set off on 3 November 2025 on a 4,000 km journey across the Antarctic ice.

With the backing of UNESCO and under the high patronage of the President of the French Republic, their mission was to map the depths of the White Continent using ground-penetrating radar, in order to gain a better understanding of glacial dynamics and anticipate the impacts of climate change.

With the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet potentially leading to a 4-metre rise in sea levels, this expedition was both a technical feat and a powerful call for greater awareness, the meeting of adventure, research and commitment in the face of the climate challenge.

Val d'Isère Mountain partner of the Under Antarctica mission

As the only mountainous destination among the expedition’s partners, Val d’Isère draws on this collaboration to champion its vision of a mountain environment that is vibrant, environmentally aware and actively driving change.

This partnership reflects the shared values of our destination and the explorers: high standards, team spirit, respect for the natural world and a determination to push boundaries.

” Supporting this expedition means standing by a simple belief: mountain communities have a role to play in advancing our understanding of the climate and protecting it.” Patrick Martin, Mayor of Val d’Isère at the launch of the expedition.