After the revolution of electric scooters and motorized surfboards, young entrepreneurs are pushing the limits by adapting electricity for individual travel on snow and varied terrain. Self-propelled skis and all-mountain skateboards redefine adventure.
Edouard Aubert, surfer, snowboarder and engineer, took up skateboarding during the pandemic, attracted by the deserted streets. He quickly motorized his board, but the asphalt was no longer enough for him: “We needed sand, snow,” he says. With Adrien Ladan, his student friend, they founded SQ-Motors and designed the Sternboard, a board equipped with three massive wheels, capable of reaching 60 km/h on the track.
Initially designed for sand, a tracked version was created for snow. The La Pierre Saint-Martin ski resort has already acquired six models to test their versatility in winter and summer conditions. At 3,000 euros for the basic model, to which are added 1,000 euros for snow equipment, these boards are aimed at a high-end market.
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The Sternboard is primarily aimed at lovers of walking and cross-country skiing, but its potential also appeals to investors. “Qatari funds approached us to democratize skiing in the desert environment,” explains Edouard Aubert. At the same time, farmers are adopting the wheeled model for their transportation on farms.
E-Skimo: ski touring reinvented
For her part, Nicola Colombo, a Swiss entrepreneur, is innovating with the E-Skimo, an electric touring ski. This system uses a motor and a strip of fabric under the ski to assist climbs, reducing physical effort. “The idea came to me after seeing friends in difficulty on the slopes,” he explains.
Equipped with artificial intelligence, the E-Skimo adjusts the assistance according to the slope and the pace of the skier. Once the climb is finished, the motor, battery and belt detach to go back down on classic skis. The planned price is around $1,500, a premium positioning to appeal to less seasoned enthusiasts.
These innovations share one objective: to broaden access to demanding practices while preserving a fun and sporting dimension. With unexplored playgrounds within reach of wheels or skis, the future of individual travel looks resolutely electric.
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