One can describe skiing in many ways. It's a unifying, fun, dynamic sport. It provides precious, magical, and unique sensations. But above all, skiing is, first and foremost, inspiring. And this inspiration led us to launch FERREOL.

We specialize in the design and manufacturing of high-performance alpine skis. Entirely made in Quebec, these versatile skis, designed for adventure, are particularly suited to Quebec's conditions and those of the eastern North America.

It was during our time together in the mechanical engineering bachelor's program at Laval University that we realized our shared commitment to designing sustainable skis and our entrepreneurial spirit.

In the spring of 2019, we received the Éveil Eggenius scholarship, which supported the launch of the company by financing some of the initial research and development stages. We set up our first real innovation and prototyping laboratory in the back of Ski Michel. This was a significant improvement for us, as we had initially been working in Etienne's parents' garage. In December 2019, after more than a year of prototyping, we introduced our first ski model, the Pionnier 104.

Since the inception of the company, we have designed five machines to facilitate the research and development of our products. Our skis are designed and prototyped in our research and development laboratory in Beaupré, Quebec. They are then manufactured in Rimouski, Quebec.

From the product design phase onward, FERREOL is committed to adhering to significant societal and environmental principles. We aim for a maximum reduction of our ecological footprint. As a result, we have developed a flax fiber technology that is not only eco-friendly but also offers important user comfort properties such as cushioning. We received a Mitacs Acceleration grant to further our in-house research and development on the integration of natural fibers into alpine skis.

The company's objective in the coming years is to have a strong influence on other ski manufacturers, encouraging them to evolve their practices and approaches to make the industry healthier than it is today.

DISCOVER OUR ECO-RESPONSIBILITY-RELATED PROJECTS

We are committed to having a positive social impact by promoting student entrepreneurship, which has made a significant difference in our journey. We don't want to have a business just for the sake of it; we want to make a real impact in our community.
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In 2019, we were selected to be part of the VIP³ incubation program, a program initiated by Entrepreneuriat Laval and Eggenius to help student entrepreneurs from the Faculty of Science and Engineering develop their entrepreneurial knowledge. We also received the Eveil Eggenius scholarship, which aims to support student entrepreneurs seeking to validate the feasibility of their early-stage business idea.

In 2020, we received a scholarship and a special prize when participating in the business plan competition organized by Entrepreneuriat Laval. We also received a scholarship from the Caisse Desjardins de la Côte-de-Beaupré to enable Ferreol to continue its innovation project, which aims to design an alpine ski with a reduced ecological footprint, using flax fiber instead of synthetic fibers.

In 2021, we were awarded an MEI honor scholarship, designed for entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 who are leading a project aimed at developing a business. We also received a recognition award from the MRC de la Côte-de-Beaupré because the company stood out in the context of the global pandemic. We also appeared on the show L'Oeil du dragon (the French version of Dragon's Den), where we secured an interesting business partnership.

In 2022, we represented the company at the Fowler GSIC. This competition encourages student entrepreneurs from around the world to connect and create sustainable business solutions to global issues. We also received the Claude-Lessard Fund scholarship, which provides financial support for the startup of high-growth potential businesses by students or recent graduates of Université Laval.

While their shared love for skiing is a unifying factor, their skills vary greatly and complement each other perfectly. Félix is the entrepreneur responsible for management, Jonathan handles ski design and has experience in sales and customer service, and Etienne is in charge of designing and manufacturing machines and prototyping skis. The team now consists of six skiing enthusiasts.

MEET THE FERREOL TEAM