Lucas Bessard

Woodspirit

Ski maker

©Champi-Photo

©Olivier Fatzer

©Michelangelo Foundation

A craftsman of his time and place

Lucas custom-makes wooden skis from scratch
It is important to him to use wood from the local area
In 2019 he won the Prix Métiers d’Art Suisse

Lucas Bessard has two great passions in life: skiing and wood. That’s why at the age of 26 he left the certainty of a comfortable career alongside his father in the family cheesemaking business for the freedom of an adventure in the world of craftsmanship. He started off making his wooden skis for pleasure, and quickly developed his skills in woodworking and marquetry, inspired by his father’s artisanal approach. His first product was a pair of freeride skis, which he tested with his friends down the Swiss mountain slopes. Working to the highest standards is a priority for him: “In my opinion, you either do it perfectly or you might as well do nothing at all.”

Interview

Ginevra Formentini ©Michelangelo Foundation

©Nicolas Falquet

What has been the most memorable moment in your career to date?: When I met my ambassador and pro-rider Nicolas Falquet. I showed him what I was doing in my little garage and a few days later he decided to join my adventure. Since then, we’ve maintained a strong friendship as we have many values in common.
What do tradition and innovation mean to you?: My goal is to blend traditional know-how, such as marquetry, with current technologies to make modern designs in wood. The same applies to the construction: I use wood for the core, combined with modern materials, such as carbon fibre.
How do you personalise your skis?: Thanks to a 0.9-millimetre wooden covering, the skis can be decorated on the surface, according to the skier's taste, with geometrical designs in marquetry. Each piece is signed 'Hihihi', which is my trademark. According to my family, this is the way I laugh.
How important is your work to you?: It’s a part of me; I put all my heart and energy into it. My job represents who I am: a young craftsman who is conscious and respectful of what nature has given us, but who lives in his time, pursuing a strong desire for change.

Lucas Bessard is a rising star he began his career in 2016