Margaux began her inaugural season with the Swiss National Youth Ski Mountaineering Team in June 2022.Hailing from the foot of the Dents du Midi and Dents Blanches, she developed a passion for the mountains and skiing from a young age. Following several years of alpine skiing with the Champéry ski club, she discovered ski touring, initially with her family and subsequently with the Swiss Alpine Club.
Inspired by the achievements of Tobias Donnet and Kilian Granger, two athletes from the Région Dents du Midi, she rapidly progressed to compete in ski mountaineering competitions.Six years later, her determination remains undiminished, and her list of titles and medals continues to grow.When she is not training or racing, Margaux swaps her lightweight skis for her freeride setup to explore the lesser-known areas of her region.
In 2024, she was selected for the European Championships in Flaine and Chamonix and competed in various World Cup events.
“Last season (23/24), my best result was a 3rd place in the European Championships vertical race. I love pushing my limits and ’embracing the pain.’ That moment when I cross the finish line, completely exhausted but knowing I gave it my all, is simply incredible!”
For Margaux Mendes de Leon, ski mountaineering is above all an endurance discipline, an intense sport practised in breathtaking mountain landscapes. “The versatility of this sport, the freedom, the mountains, and skiing fascinate me.”
In 2025, her talent was recognised with a nomination for the Swiss Sports Aid 2024 Best Young Western Switzerland Female Hope award.
Awards
2023
- 3rd Juniors – Pierra Menta with Robine Deseyn
- 4th overall U18 World Cup
- Crévacol World Cup (Italy)
- 3rd U18 – individual
- 9th U18 – vertical
- Villars-sur-Ollon World Cup (Switzerland)
- 5th U18 – individual
- 7th U18 – sprint
- World Cup Val-Louron (France) 6th U18 – individual
- 7th U18 – sprint
- 9th U18 – vertica
- 3rd U18 Swiss Sprint Cup in Davos (CH)
- 1st U18 Vertical race in La Breya (CH)
- 3rd U20 La Foilleuse Vertical race in Morgins (CH)
- 2nd U18 Swiss Individual Championships in Torgon (CH)
- European Youth Olympic Festival – in Forni di Sopra (ITA)
- 19th U18 Sprint race
- 10th U18 mixed relay with Arno Mooser
- 6th U18 Individual race
- Wold cup in Crévacol (ITA) (first world cup)
- 3rd U18 Individual race
- 9th U18 Vertical race
- World Championships in Boì Taüll (SPA) (first world championships)
- 6th U18 Vertical race
- 7th U18 Individual race
2022
- 1st U18 Swiss Championships Individual
- 1st U18 La Lenk 8 Race
- 1st U20 Women / 2nd U20 Scratch Youth Patrol (with Mathilde Pellissier)
- 2nd U18 Breya night race
- 2nd Women Muverans Trophy (with Robine Deseyn)
- 3rd Popular World Cup in Morgins (with Mathilde Pellissier)
- 5th Scratch Women Vertical in Les Diablerets 3D
- 6th U20 La Foilleuse night session in Morgins
- 9th U18 European Championships Individual
- 10th U18 European Championships Vertical
- 12th U18 European Championships Sprint
- Swiss Champion U18 overall