Sales and rentals of ski touring have exploded since the announcement of the closure of the lifts

Hours of ascent for half an hour of descent.

In ski touring, the glide is earned, often with the sweat of his forehead.

Long confined to the status of a niche activity, and much less popular than its Alpine cousin, mountain hiking takes an unexpected revenge this winter, aided by the closures of the ski lifts until at least January 7.

In the resort, some rental companies already have all their hiking equipment reserved for the two-week Christmas vacation.

And manufacturers have increased their sales compared to last year.

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“

The weekend of December 12-13, we had rented all of our ski touring rental fleet,

gargles for example Aurélia Isoux, the manager of the Mabboux sports store in Combloux (Haute-Savoie).

This remains marginal as we only have 15 pairs in stock, but we are seeing more new hikers than usual, and plan to rent everything out without a problem during the two week Christmas break

. ”

Out of stock

Like many other rental companies, Mabboux sports did not buy more pairs of touring skis than usual, however, because the equipment is particularly expensive.

In fact, it includes skis, but also sealskins that allow you to catch the snow on the way up, the Arva to detect a skier under a pile of snow, probes, shovels, knives ... The equipment returns. at around 800 to 1200 euros for the stores, which then rent it between 35 and 65 euros a day.

Despite everything, some will bet heavily on this activity this winter.

As in Chamonix (Haute-Savoie), where the rental company Sanglard sports has made a specialty of ski touring, with 70 pairs on the clock.

And for the past few weeks, the phone has not stopped ringing.

“

We have a lot of calls or reservations online, especially with teenagers wanting to get

started

,”

explains manager Jonty Keightley.

We've been hiking for years, but we've never had so many reservations.

He too will have no trouble renting his 70 pairs during the two week Christmas vacation.

On the other side of the chain, it is obviously the manufacturers of touring skis who are rubbing their hands.

Zag skis, a French brand based in Chamonix, for example doubled its sales compared to last year.

“

We feel a very strong impact on the demand for ski touring since

the first announcements of the government concerning the closure of ski lifts

,

explains Antoine Malatray, marketing director of the brand.

We have a lot of people who equip themselves, and in particular a new public of alpine skiers who want to go hiking.

“On its brand of Ubac 89 skis, the firm is already out of stock and has relaunched its production at its factories.

“

Fortunately, the hike works, because on the downhill skiing side, we no longer sell anything,

blows Antoine Malatray.

We hope that we will be able to hound the breakage thanks to this.

»At Zag Skis, hiking accounts for 50% of sales, and should logically save the season.

Wet firecracker?

The same goes for Manu Romero, salesperson for the Elan ski and Roxa shoe brands.

In his car in the middle of a commercial tour with rental companies in Haute-Savoie, he explains having multiplied by ten his figures on the “hiking” niche compared to last year, reaching 500 pairs of skis sold this winter to professionals in the ski area. rental.

Very good figures, but which will not erase the losses due to the shutdown of alpine skiing.

“

The little hiking euphoria is far enough to make up for the losses for this Christmas 2020, but it's a bit of joy in this gloomy period for our sector!

»Continues Emmanuel Romero.

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However, one element remains to be clarified: will new hikers persevere once the ski lifts reopen?

"

Newbies are going to rent one day, and when they see it's quite expensive and not for everyone, will they continue?"

“Asks Emmanuel Romero.

Thierry Renan, manager of the Carroz Sport store in Carroz d'Arâches (Haute-Savoie), recognizes that some will perhaps “

improvise hikers this winter

”, but he especially fears a wet firecracker.

"

When they have made an hour and a half of climb for 5 minutes of descent, it will quickly annoy them,

" he swears.

For those, it will then be necessary to wait until January 7 to enjoy a good old butt lift.