Switzerland, world leader in ski touring equipment – rts.ch

In recent years, ski touring has made a place for itself. This, thanks to the magnificent playground that Switzerland offers and the know-how for the equipment dedicated to this activity.

Several world leaders in the sector still have their factories there today, like Pomoca, the world number one in seal skins which has just inaugurated a new factory near Yverdon (VD).

“Today, it is not easy to produce in Switzerland,” recognizes his boss Josep Castellet, citing the “framework conditions with the European Union and the strong franc.”

But he gets through it and “keeps the option of exporting all over the world”, because seal skin was born from Swiss manufacturers in the 1930s: Colltex and Pomoca. “It’s a niche product and technologically very complex,” he continues on the 7:30 p.m. microphone on Wednesday.

Willingness to buy good equipment

After the post-Covid boom, demand has stabilized since 2023. But former beginners do not hesitate to invest in quality equipment, which is confirmed by Véronique Buttner, store manager who also founded a ski brand: Buttner Ski . “This is an area where your feet easily hurt because there is friction. So I think we really do what we can to feel good in our shoes once and for all.”

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And it's not just the shoes that are well chosen. The skier is also looking for “light equipment, suitable for descent”, explains the manager of the Atelier du sport in Morgins (VS).

In March, its town will host the ski touring world championships, enough to rekindle the desire to equip yourself.

Freeride to sell better

The sector also focuses on escape and the great outdoors. “Good freeriders, who have a lot of impact on social networks, have more impact on our sales than the competition,” notes Josep Castellet. “Freeride is really a growing market for us. And a mode of communication that is “excellent for attracting other customers,” he adds.

Matthieu Hoffstetter / juma