SKILEAD launches SKIRECO, the world's first refurbished ski store

For the first time anywhere in the world, SKILEAD—a retailer specializing in ski equipment rentals—is entering the refurbished market. The first SKIRE...

For the first time anywhere in the world, SKILEAD—a retailer specializing in ski equipment rentals—is entering the refurbished market. The first SKIRECO store will open this winter in Chamrousse, in the Isère department. The concept is simple: to offer as many people as possible refurbished ski equipment—more than three years old but brought up to current standards—at a low price. The equipment provided will be used until it is recycled. SKIRECO aims to be accessible to families with a single price for all skill levels.

A BOON FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

The brand manages rental skis throughout their entire lifecycle, right up to recycling. Purchases are limited to used equipment. A drop-off bin is provided to collect equipment that customers wish to part with. Rather than being thrown away, it will be intelligently reused or sent for recycling. Even in the design of the rental facility, the ski racks and equipment stands are secondhand. The brand’s ultimate goal is to reduce the environmental impact of the ski industry in mountain resorts to combat global warming:

“Skireco’s goal is to use reconditioned equipment as an ecological commitment. Operating in smaller, lower-cost spaces in the mountains, with well-maintained equipment fleets over four years old that meet current standards and are maintained by professionals until the end of their useful life—for us, this is a form of commitment to combating global warming. It’s a step toward ‘more responsible consumption’ in the mountains,” says Céline Goulot.

A PLUS FOR FAMILIES

Skireco is a unique concept that allows winter sports professionals to source secondhand equipment that is still in use by customers:

“People come into the store with skis borrowed from friends of friends or bought secondhand that still need to be adjusted. They’re often very old, unsuitable for the user’s skill level and age, and the initial setup is poor… That’s where safety comes into play. Today, there’s a real safety issue in the secondhand market. It’s better to have the equipment handled by professionals. At Skireco, the gear provided is prepared and customized for each skier. There’s a single price for three categories—adults and children—per day, which is multiplied by the number of days of the trip. “In addition to making this secondary market safer, our goal is to make skiing accessible to all families,” says Céline Goulot, co-founder and president of the brand.

Skireco is making the secondhand market in the mountains safer and more compliant. A full-scale trial will take place in Chamrousse this winter before a potential nationwide rollout in the coming years.

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