Born on December 29, 1935 in Ste Foy, near Val d'Isère, France, to a family of innkeepers, Michel Arpin was named to the French Ski Team from 1956 to 1966.
His most notable achievement was a 4th place in Slalom at the 1964 Olympics, just behind Jimmy Heuga and Billy Kidd (Pepi Stiegler won the Gold). Arpin passed away in Thonon, France, on Saturday, May 30.
In 1961 and through somewhat special circumstances, Arpin became closely associated with Jean-Claude Killy as his personal equipment coach. Michel Arpin became legendary for his superlative abilities of selecting the best skis for specific snow conditions.
Working first with Dynamic as a "technical advisor", Arpin became Killy's personal ski technician at the Portillo World Championships and after Grenoble, he followed Killy's endorsements, first to Head in 1969, Rossignol in 1972 and K2, one year later.
In the mid-seventies, he settled in Thonon, on the French shore of Lake Geneva, where he ran a sport shop. I've skied with Michel while being a ski instructor in Avoriaz, France. He was a kind of a honorary ski school member. I remember him as a tough, typical “montagnard”character.
Rest in Peace Michel...
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