The Ski Manufacturers "Made In Chamonix"
ZAG, BLACK CROWS, RONIN, RABBIT ON THE ROOF
ZAG Skis
Freeride, Rockers, and the Spirit of Chamonix
Chamonix: The Ultimate Testing Ground
The brand was founded in 2002 by Stéphane Radiguet in Bourg Saint Maurice and relocated its operations to Chamonix in 2010, placing it at the foot of the Grands Montets—the world’s toughest testing ground. Let's be honest, where else in the world would you base a brand dedicated to pushing the limits of off-piste skiing?
This prime location ensures that ZAG is directly connected to its environment, which is a true source of inspiration for creating comfortable and high-performing skis. The entire team—including local freeriders, ski mountaineers, and mountain guides—is on the mountain every day, rigorously testing every model on the demanding slopes of the Mont Blanc massif. If a ZAG ski can handle the Vallée Blanche, it can handle anything.
Come inside the Zag Lab
The genius of ZAG is that their entire team—the designers, the shapers, the brand ambassadors—are literally on the mountain every day. They’re local freeriders, ski mountaineers, and world-class guides.
This isn't some corporate R&D lab miles away from the snow. This is Mont Blanc's granite, its powder fields, its terrifying couloirs. Every ZAG model is smashed, thrashed, and put through the absolute wringer on our slopes to ensure they perform, whether you're battling challenging spring snow or floating through a metre of fresh powder. If a ZAG ski can handle the Vallée Blanche, it can handle anything you throw at it.
The Rocker Revolution
Remember when skis were straight planks? ZAG was one of the brands that changed the game. Founded by Stéphane Radiguet, their bold idea was to marry the float and surfy feel of a snowboard with the stability of a ski. The result? The Rocker design, introduced back in 2003. This wasn't just a tweak; it was a revolution that drastically improved flotation and made turning in deep snow accessible and fun. They’ve been ahead of the curve ever since.
ZAGreen Program: An Authentic Commitment to the White World
Living right beneath the Chamonix glaciers gives you a fierce respect for the environment.
You see the glaciers shrinking every year. That’s why ZAG’s commitment to sustainability feels so authentic
Since 2017, the brand has championed the ZAGreen Program, pushing the R&D team to create products that are respectful to the environment. This means :
- using bio-sourced resins (some skis achieve 50% bio-sourced material overall)
- incorporating recycled edges, and bases (up to 85% recycled black base).
- Crucially, they have eliminated plastic packaging, replacing it with reusable bio cotton bags.
These are the small and essentials details that show Zag truly understands the mountain spirit.
New Leadership, Global Ambition, and the Focus on the UK
The new chapter is driven by CEO Eric Bascle and supported by majority shareholder Alain Rauscher. Bascle brings 30 years of experience in commerce, marketing, and strategy, having evolved within major companies (Carrefour, Lacoste) and emblematic outdoor brands (Black Crows, D_b, which was sold to LVMH). His deep attachment to ski culture sees ZAG as an opportunity to combine innovation, expertise, and local commitment.
With Rauscher, an investor with an international reputation, ensuring financial stability, ZAG is fully equipped to deploy its ambitions.
While ZAG is already present in over 300 points of sale globally, the new strategy explicitly targets expanding its positions on core territories while pursuing growth in new markets, like the United Kingdom.
The New Faces and Concept Experience
To solidify its pioneering spirit, ZAG has signed Mathis Dumas as its new ambassador. Dumas, a recognized high-mountain guide, photographer, and athlete, is described as the "most popular core influencer" and perfectly embodies ZAG’s DNA of exploration, performance, and creativity.
To further connect with consumers and mark this renewal, ZAG will open a flagship concept store in the heart of Paris (Rue des Écoles, 5th arrondissement) in March 2025. More than just a shop, this venue is intended as a genuine hub for exchange and experience, featuring:
• An exclusive showroom presenting next season's collections.
• A museum showcasing a retrospective of 20 years of ZAG innovation.
• An immersive laboratory recreating the Chamonix prototyping workshop.
Finding Your Perfect Weapon
Whether you're a purist skinning up a remote peak or a lift-access charger, ZAG has dialled in a line for you:
- SLAP Line: These are the playful ones. Built for backcountry freestyle, with that original rocker design. Perfect for hitting natural features and making the mountain your playground.
- UBAC Line: The workhorses for ski touring. Featherlight for the climb, but they absolutely don’t compromise on the downhill. You earn your turns, and these skis reward you.
- HARFANG Line: For those who demand precision. Fast, stable, and built for technical, high-speed descents. A pure alpine carving machine, when you need it.
MATA Line: Your go-anywhere, do-anything ski. The quintessential all-mountain shape that handles crud, piste, and powder with equal composure.
BLACK CROWS
Chamonix’s Freeride Revolution
In the heart of the Mont Blanc massif, where the Alps meet the sky, a ski brand was born from a shared vision of performance, design, and mountain culture. That brand is Black Crows, an independent French freeski company founded in 2006 by professional skiers Bruno Compagnet and Camille Jaccoux, alongside industry leader Christophe Villemin.
From Passion to Innovation
Black Crows emerged from a desire to create skis that combined beauty and efficiency. The founders, both deeply immersed in the skiing world, sought to design equipment that reflected their passion for the sport and the mountains. Their first model, the Corvus, introduced in 2006, set the tone for the brand: powerful, versatile, and built for the demanding terrains of Chamonix.
Design Meets Performance
What sets Black Crows apart is its commitment to design-driven performance. Each ski is meticulously crafted to offer exceptional handling, stability, and responsiveness. The brand's lineup includes models like the Camox, known for its all-mountain versatility, and the Atris, a favorite among freeride enthusiasts for its agility and floatation in deep snow.
Beyond skis, Black Crows has expanded its offerings to include poles, outerwear, and accessories, all designed with the same attention to detail and performance. The brand's aesthetic is bold and distinctive, with graphic designs that stand out on the slopes
A Global Presence with Local Roots
While Black Crows has grown into a globally recognized brand, it remains deeply rooted in Chamonix. The company's headquarters continue to be in the valley that inspired its creation. Over the years, Black Crows has expanded its presence internationally, with stores in locations like Paris and Méribel, and a growing presence in North America.
The Spirit of Black Crows
At its core, Black Crows embodies the spirit of skiing as a means of freedom and expression. The brand's motto, "Les ailes du plaisir" ("The wings of pleasure"), reflects its commitment to creating equipment that enhances the joy of skiing. Whether carving down groomed pistes or navigating off-piste terrain, Black Crows skis are designed to inspire confidence and excitement.
The valley's challenging slopes and breathtaking landscapes continue to influence the brand's designs and philosophy.
https://www.black-crows.com/fr
RŌNIN SKIS
The Maverick Spirit: A Samurai's Path to Chamonix
The name Rōnin comes from the Japanese term for a “masterless samurai” — a wanderer following his own path. That image perfectly mirrors the philosophy of founder Jonathan “Jonno” Jacobs, a South African who made Chamonix his home in 2007.
From a one-man experiment on a kitchen table to a refined workshop in Taconnaz, Jonno’s journey embodies the independent, hands-on spirit that defines the valley itself.
"The desire to explore the mountains freely and to carve your own line against all odds—that’s the founding spirit of Rōnin. It's an invitation to join our community of independent skiers."
The brand gained notable credibility when a pair of his handmade skis earned the coveted "high score ski test" from Montagne magazine, proving that passion and craftsmanship deliver elite performance.
The brand gained notable credibility when a pair of his handmade skis earned the coveted "high score ski test" from The
Handcrafted Performance with an Eco-Conscience
Ronin Skis are not mass-produced; they are handcrafted to order in limited editions, ensuring a deep connection between the builder, the gear, and the mountain. Focused on sustainability, Jonno's material choices provide a compelling angle:
- Sustainable Core: Skis feature locally sourced, FSC-certified wood cores (Balsa, Bamboo, Poplar, and Beech depending on the model).
- Eco-Minded Materials: Jonno uses bio-based resins and flax fibres grown in France, emphasizing durability and environmental awareness over cheap production.
Performance Focus: The materials are chosen to be the most resistant and highest quality possible, making no compromise on performance.
The Ultimate Alpine Experience: Build Your Own Skis
For those who want to go even further, Rōnin offers something unique: a “Build Your Own” ski workshop.
Over several days, guests work side by side with Jonno to create their own skis — shaping, pressing, and finishing them in the Chamonix workshop.
“Imagine looking down at your skis,” Jonno says with a grin, “and thinking: I made these with my own hands.”
This is more than a purchase, it’s an immersive alpine experience — creative, physical, and deeply personal. It connects visitors to Chamonix in a way that few activities can.
A Local Story Worth Telling
Rōnin Skis perfectly reflects the living identity of Chamonix — a place where innovation, tradition, and passion coexist. The workshop is small, but the story is big: a craftsman devoted to sustainable materials, a valley that inspires creation, and a global community of skiers who come here to test themselves — and their skis — on some of the world’s most iconic terrain.
RABBIT ON THE ROOF
Handcrafted Skis Born in the heart of the Chamonix valley
Rabbit on the Roof is a workshop where craftsmanship, mountain passion, and artistic vision meet. Here, every ski tells a story—of wood, terrain, and freedom.
A Craftsman’s Alpine Journey
Founded by Peter Steltzner, a Californian who fell in love with Chamonix’s mountains, Rabbit on the Roof began as a personal experiment in woodworking and ski design. Years spent honing his craft in Paris prepared him to create skis that are not only high-performing but also objects of beauty.
The name, whimsical as it is, has roots in the early days of the workshop: rabbits lived under the Paris attic roof where Peter first shaped prototypes. Today, it represents his hands-on, playful, and creative approach to ski making
Handmade Skis That Perform
Every pair of Rabbit on the Roof skis is handcrafted in Les Praz, Chamonix. They start with locally milled ash wood cores, known for their flex and durability. Carbon and tri-axial fibers are added for strength and performance, while exotic wood veneers—walnut, plane tree, bubinga—give each ski a unique aesthetic.
These skis are built for the demanding terrain of the Chamonix valley: deep powder, steep couloirs, and mixed snow conditions. Limited editions and artisanal attention ensure that each ski is not only a tool but a work of art that ages beautifully over time.
Why This Story Matters
Rabbit on the Roof is more than a ski brand; it’s a story of local craft, mountain lifestyle, and authenticity. For journalists and readers alike, it offers a compelling narrative:
- Local anchoring: A workshop in Chamonix, right where the mountains inspire every design choice.
- Craftsmanship meets performance: Wood, fiber, and expert shaping create skis that are both functional and beautiful.
- Human interest: Peter’s journey from California to Chamonix illustrates passion, creativity, and reinvention.
- Visual potential: The workshop, the wood, and the surrounding mountains make for striking photos and video.
Discover the Craft
Visiting Rabbit on the Roof is an invitation to see skiing from a new perspective: a mix of art, craft, and alpine adventure. From the first cut of the wood to the final polish, every ski embodies the spirit of Chamonix—a place where mountains shape lives, and freedom is carved into every turn.
Workshop Location: Les Praz, Chamonix Valley, France
Founder: Peter Steltzner
Specialty: Handcrafted, limited-edition freeride skis blending wood and technical fibers
https://www.rabbitontheroof.net/fr/