Our small team of Besson Immobilier has always had passion for the mountains. Not only do we like to hug our feet on the slopes and the snowy peaks, but we also like to share moments with characters who inspire us and who draw the character marked by the alpine landscape of which we are proud.

Here is a mountaineer who does not leave us indifferent. A young man brought to life by the wood and the mountain, who combines all his passions to create an unusual product: a wooden ski maker, Justin Marquis.

Justin Marquis is a young mountain guide who often slips his slats on the side of Verbier. But it is by going to walk around the Pays du Saint Bernard that we met for this new article in our Besson mag.

Child of the country
It is in the charming village of Reppaz, perched above Orsières (Valais) that Justin shaped his first childhood dreams. The strength of the surrounding nature, the mountain and its scents have allowed him to express his personality. Like the tree, Justin grew up and naturally became a carpenter. Like his father, also a guide and carpenter, he continued the tradition.

His first skis: a crazy gamble
His first skis are born from a bet with his father. This one shows him one day that his skis are too old-fashioned to present them in the formation of mountain guide. Not having the means to afford a new pair, Justin far from formalising decides to make it himself.

After more than 200 hours of hard work, the young man holds his gamble and conceives his first pair of skis with the help of his dad. Then he makes a second pair that he offers to his girlfriend.

When he comes to the aspiring guide course, proud of his creations, he does not dare to take his skis. “Today, I have some regrets,” he says with a touch of nostalgia.

From the garage to the workshop
One by one, Justin perseveres, continues and improves his manufacturing technique. Today, at the corner of one of the small streets of the hamlet of Reppaz, Justin’s new workshop sings, hums, vibrates with the sounds of the old machines that he recovered to make his skis and to fulfil various orders.

When not guiding, Justin cuts, saws, planes, profiles, glues, presses, pumices and varnishes. Here, no assembly line work. The idea is to make your skis the old fashioned way but with today’s technology.

A unique ski, a name, a brand: JUST1 SKI
His brand was named: JUST 1 SKI referring to his name. “I reassure you,” he adds with a smile, “even if my skis are called JUST1 SKI, I will still sell you two”.

Designed for hiking or off-piste, his skis are also passable on a traditional track. The skis are first tested then Justin makes a pair according to the desires of each. And that’s what his customers are looking for: something different, unique or more authentic.

The craftsman of the peaks
Justin’s small business works with word of mouth. He does not want to sell his skis in supermarkets. In the beginning, his customers consisted of his family and his relatives. Now his clientele is expanding: mountain guides, friends, inhabitants of the valley, customers he brings to the mountains …

It is with great pleasure that Besson Immobilier met this colourful mountain character. And it may well be that we cross a few models of JUST1 SKI during our hikes. We hope so, because we particularly cherish wood, beautiful design, originality and especially mountain crafts.

If you are, you can contact Justin by phone on + 41 79 627 01 16 or by mail to justunski@bluewin.ch

Find here other articles on local craftsmen, excursion ideas, tips ….  Or find all our objects for sale or rent.