An engineer and technical designer, Christian Alary cut his teeth in R&D at Rossignol. Drawing on this expertise in composite materials engineering and ski design, in 2014 he chose to build an alternative model by founding La Fabrique du Ski in the Chartreuse. For him, making in France is a societal choice guided by strong values, but also the chance to run a human-scale production facility in service of his real passion: research, development and design. He has set out to bring the technical rigour of the big engineering centres to an artisan workshop, with the aim of making skis that perform and last.
An industrial designer and creative director, Erik Arlen has worked for more than twenty years with international brands on the design of technical products and performance footwear. Shaped by a culture of pared-back design, precise movement and sports ergonomics, he brings to the project a vision in which function and engineering dictate the aesthetic line. By joining forces with Christian Alary’s technical expertise and engineering, he aims to combine formal precision, high standards in the field and responsible manufacturing to give fresh momentum to skis made in France.
Partners, production helpers, testers, photographers, collaborators, lawyers, friends and family: thank you to everyone who makes this project possible.
