The Charlets are a shamelessly gifted snowboarding family from Chamonix.

In the late 1990s Jean-Baptiste, alias Babs, one of the sport's most admired figures, won more European championships than almost anybody else. A few years later he retired from sports and passed the torch to his little brother Jonathan, alias Douds.

Last name: CHARLET

First name: Jean-Baptiste

Nickname: Babs

Age: 29

Home: Chamonix

Sponsors: Von Zipper, Volcom, Dupraz, Allian, ABS

Last name: CHARLET

First name: Jonathan

Nickname: Douds

Age: 23

Home: Chamonix

Sponsors: Imperium, Von Zipper, Globe, 686, Pull In, Yourpark

Eurosport: How did you start snowboarding?

Babs Charlet: Skateboarding led me to it. The first time I rode was in a field behind my house. Paul Loxton was there. He was importing Winter Stick at the time and loaned me a board.

Douds Charlet: That was a long time ago (laughs)! I started when I was 12 at the Vormaine skilift (in Chamonix) with my father. Babs was already doing it and I wanted to try. Everybody was talking about snowboarding, it was really awesome.

E: Which one of you had the most trouble making it in snowboarding?

Babs: Things were very different in my day compared to when Douds started. The market was soaring from one year to the next, so it was pretty easy for a good snowboarder to make a name for himself. It was harder for Douds. Then the market slowed down while the number of really good snowboarders went up, so it was harder to stand out from the crowd. He even underestimated himself.

E: Douds, is it easier or harder to be a successful pro snowboarder when your big brother has already been in all the magazines?

Douds: It's easier. I could take advantage of Babs' connections and it was easier for me to meet people.

E: Did you often ride together when Babs was a pro?

Douds: No because I was in school.

Babs: And I was traveling a lot. I was home only two or three days, a week at the most, between competitions and photo shoots. I was always on the road, which didn't leave me with much time.

E: Do you often ride together today?

Babs: No, I only ride two or three months a season and would rather do big runs. I like powder and big curves more. I also do a lot of hiking and it's hard for us to make our schedules match.

Douds: I ride more in backcountry and take pictures with my pals. But this winter we do have plans to take pictures together!

E: Did your big brother give you much advice?

Douds: Yes, obviously he helped me and his good advice has been very useful.

E: Which one of you is the best today?

Douds: I am! No, just kidding. I think he's better, especially in relation to his period.

Babs: I used to do pipe and big air, freestyle, but I don't jump anymore. So I think Douds is better.

E: What's special about living in Chamonix?

Babs: What's nice about Chamonix is that as soon as you're off the slopes you're high up in mountains, so you can do it all: mountain-climbing, little mountain runs or big runs ending up in Switzerland or Italy. There are really loads of possibilities and an inexhaustible source of corridors to ride. The possibilities are endless.

Douds: It's really different from other resorts. You can do plenty of mountain-climbing, rock-climbing and ice-climbing.

E: Would your approach have been different if you had grown up someplace else?

Babs: Yes, of course. Once you've seen Chamonix, no other resort looks impressive. All the rest look flat. It's dangerous everywhere but Cham gives you good reflexes.

Douds: He said it all.

E: Why don't we see you in magazines anymore, Babs?

Babs: I lead a quiet life. I'm not interested in magazines anymore. I have everything it takes to make me happy now. I give lessons during the season and rent out my chalet, which lets me travel and surf. I do what I want to.

E: In your opinion, what does it take to be a successful pro-snowboarder?

Douds: Competitions! That's the only way to be successful nowadays. Then you can find sponsors, do photo shoots, videos, and all the rest. Personally, I started with competitions. I was the French champion several times and made a name for myself. That's why I can be in film shoots now.

Babs: Right, to make a name for yourself you have to compete.

E: What makes you happy every day?

Babs: A good day, good waves, a good run, a good time at the beach or in the mountains with my friends.

Douds: Mountains, mountain-climbing, snow and of course, my wife! Just making a living by doing the things I enjoy.

E: Other than your shared gift for snowboarding, you don't seem to have much in common. What makes you different from each other?

Babs: Hmmmm... that's hard to say (laughs). I don't see much difference, I think we're pretty similar.

Douds: I'm more hyper. I'm always on the move. I like to do as much as I possibly can in a day.

E: And who's more successful with girls?

Babs: Douds!

Douds: (laughs) No, you are!

Babs: Maybe&hellip well, I am six years older than you after all.

You can see Douds and Babs Charlet in Apocalypse Snow, the Sequel and on Douds' site: http://doudscharlet.unblog.fr/

A big thanks to Gracieuse Halluin and Fabrice Roger for the time they took to do this interview.

Photos: Arthur Ghillini

Eurosport