If you are looking for a handcrafted ski, made in the Pyrenees, you have to get to know Villacampa: the 100% Pyrenean Ski. Their elegant craftsmanship conquers all lovers of snow and winter sports, with one basic principle: return to tradition without losing an iota of aesthetics. Handmade, eco-sustainable and efficient, the 100% Pyrenean ski represents the Pyrenean “know-how” that seemed lost, with a single objective: to create custom skis in the Pyrenees, using noble materials and all the while paying attention to every detail of the aesthetics.
The Pyrenean Ski
Let’s go back to the history of this 100% Pyrenean handcrafted ski in detail… At the beginning of the 20th century in Nay, in the Atlantic Pyrenees, the cabinetmaker Félix Villacampa manufactured skis from a single mold, directly in his factory. Considered the most efficient of the time, the manufacture of this ski had the support of the notable Doctor Lacq, then president of the French Ski Federation.
Over time, the manufacturing experienced ups and downs, and although Villecampe’s V2 Zicral model was one of the most competitive ski models at the time, its sales progressively fell. The negative drift and the lack of demand for artisanal skis ended the life of this Pyrenean ski at the beginning of the century.
Nobody could imagine that in 2015, a group of artisans from the Pyrenees wanted to revive much more than a brand: A philosophy, an art of living … The manufacturer was reborn with the construction of artisal, handmade skis, under the name of La Manufacture [à Félix].
In 2016 the first prototype was presented: The FLX. Several trials were conducted with experienced skiers, and the feedback was very encouraging. After some adaptations, production began in December 2017 with a limited series.
Skis of the Pyrenees, handcrafted.
In Villacampa, everything is made by hand. From the assembly of the core, to the bending of the edges, the cutting of the soles, the assembly of the ski and the installation of the wood veneer.
“Everything that is part of the structure of the ski is done directly in the workshop. Edge strapping is done by hand because they must conform to the shape of the ski. This operation takes us more than two and a half hours. As to the trimming of the edges, many craftsmen ask subcontractors to do it in order to considerably reduce manufacturing costs”
“We decided to do everything in the workshop, except for the screen printing (ink application on our wood veneers) which is carried out by a service provider a few kilometers from us, as well as the preparation of the skis, which is done in Gourette.”
“We have to have an impeccable finish in the appearance and preparation of the ski. Customers attach great importance to ski preparation, and for us it is a fundamental step at the marketing level ”, specifies Jack Fauvel, Founder and President of the Manufacture at Félix.
The dream of every ski purist
Made to measure and of the highest performance, the 100% Pyrenees ski combines technology with the highest quality and craftsmanship. The Villacampa ski is a very sophisticated product handmade with cutting-edge materials: the dream of any purist skier. We are talking about authentic jems, highly sought after, with very little like it available in the winter sports market.
A 100% Pyrenean ski, authentic and handcrafted in wood, with cross-border nuances that characterize this massif so much.
“We use Scandinavian softwood which provides a lot of reactivity both in its bend and torsion. The only problem is that there is a lot of waste with this wood because the grain must be of great density and very straight. Few brands use this wood. To this day, I only know of Lacroix skis that have used this same noble wood core.
This wood has natural mechanical properties to make skis, and we take advantage of that natural elasticity. We later use composite fabrics to hold and structure this wood, ”explains Jack Fauvel.
In Villacampa, through their work method, they try to transmit their passion for natural materials, for exploration, discovery, authenticity, the thirst for freedom and adventure.
Luxury materials to prepare a handmade ski
The Villacampa brand uses a rare wood, which is fossilized oak. Its manager told us that “this is wood that fell naturally and has been buried underground for many years. It is naturally fossilized, and has an intense dark color with golden reflections that gives this Pyrenean ski its massive dose of personality.”
“WE USE LARCH, WHICH IS A VERY HARD WOOD, AND CORK FROM LANDAS FOR THE FRONT OF THE SKI.”
Only some materials come from Austria. The sole of the skis is a petrochemical material: “unfortunately we have to buy it in Austria because there are none in France. It’s the same for the edges, these are items that we have to buy in Austria. The Carbon fiber is spun in Lacq and woven in Brittany”, says Jack Fauvel.
A 100% Pyrenean ski, handmade and committed
True to the Pyrenean heritage, this 100% handcrafted Pyrenean ski originates from Béarn, a border area with Aragon (Spain). Borderless, like the mountain where the Villacampa brand was born. It is inspired by the Pyrenees and above all, defends the values of authenticity and respect.
For every pair of skis sold, Villacampa will plant two trees in the Pyrenees.
A respect for nature that goes beyond words and is materialized every day with commitment and forceful actions. The 100% Pirineo Villacampa ski is committed to quality design without giving up the choice of materials and an artisan eco-responsible form of manufacturing.
For every pair of the handcrafted skis sold, two trees will be planted in the Pyrenees. “We are working in collaboration with the Aquitaine Conservatory of Natural Spaces to have technical experience and to know the places and species of trees to replant. Last year we replanted about sixty trees along the Gave de Pau, to strengthen the shore. The plantations are carried out by Pépinière-Environnement, a social integration company whose objective is to restore the will to work for people who have been excluded from the system”, concludes Jack Fauvel.
Photo credits: William Cochet for the Manufacture à Félixa
