[1] Bonlieu debuted for the French alpine skiing national team when he was 15 years old, after winning a youth cup.

[1] The next few years his career was inactive as he served in the Algerian War, returning both physically and mentally ill.[1] In 1964, he won the special slalom in Hindelang, beating out Billy Kidd and Bud Werner.

[7] He was known for his unusual and morose personality and remarks, and often conflicted with Honoré Bonnet [fr], the coach of the French team.

[2] His sister Edith Bonlieu, also an alpine skier, was a member of the cult Order of the Solar Temple and died in a mass suicide in December 1995.

[8] Edith was married to fellow Olympic skiing gold medalist Jean Vuarnet; Bonlieu often lived with them.