After a century of winter sport dominance, the legendary ski brand’s summer gamble is paying off.
In 1907, a French woodworker named Abel Rossignol started handcrafting wooden alpine skis from his home in the French Alps. His innovations helped launch what is now a 117-year-old global winter sports empire. But as climate change chips away at ski seasons and brands scramble to capture new outdoor audiences, Rossignol is no longer content to wait for winter.
“We recognize our consumers are playing in the mountains year round,” explained Nick Castagnoli, Senior Brand Director. “As a technical performance brand, there was a hole in our multi-season approach specific to softgoods and footwear.” In August 2024, while the world’s best trail runners gathered in Chamonix for UTMB—trail running’s equivalent of the Olympics—Rossignol made an announcement that would ripple through both industries. The legendary ski brand revealed they were developing their first-ever trail running shoe, the Vezor. This was a statement of intent from a century-old company that decided the future of mountain sports required year-round thinking.
The Vezor officially launched in March of this year, but Rossignol’s trail running strategy had been years in the making, initially fueled by its foray into mountain biking. The company’s evolution reflects changing consumer behavior and business needs. “We needed to ramp up our activity and awareness in the spring-summer months so we’re not so exposed to seasonal uncertainties,” Castagnoli explained, acknowledging the seasonal vulnerability that affects all winter sports brands.
Entering the Run Space
A brand really only gets one shot at making a reputation in a new category, especially one as mature and specialized as trail running. The pressure on the Rossignol development team was intense. Trail runners are notoriously equipment-obsessive and research intensive buyers, and the established players—Salomon, Hoka, Altra—had decades of credibility and power to defend their turf. But Rossignol had something few competitors do: 100 years of putting athletes on mountains and on podiums. The question was whether that expertise would translate from snow to singletrack.
Something else that sets Rossi apart is the location in which they’ve been perfecting their craft. The real innovation happens in Rossignol’s Montebelluna, Italy, facility—the epicenter of mountain footwear development where they’ve been crafting ski boots for decades. “We’re building it from the ground up with our team in Italy, our design lab in Montebelluna,” Castagnoli explains. “We have dedicated footwear and field test teams that are focused 24/7 on product development, testing, and refinement.” The development process mirrors Rossignol’s ski equipment methodology: intensive testing, athlete feedback, and continuous refinement based on real-world performance.
The resulting Vezor is a trail shoe that took more than three years to design and represents Rossignol’s most serious entry into summer performance (outside of their mountain bike range, which is well represented at Rossignol Experience Centers and resort partners like Deer Valley and available for purchase on Rossignol.com). Built around Rossignol’s Diapazon+ technology—a composite insert sandwiched between dual-density midsole incorporating EVA and nitrogen-injected foam—the shoe provides what Rossignol calls “protection from rock strikes and a very energetic feel.” At 282 grams (US 10) with a 29mm heel and 23mm forefoot stack (6mm drop), the Vezor delivers specs that matter, but the real innovation lies in how those specs translate to performance on technical terrain. “Brand diversification is nothing new for us,” Castagnoli added. “We’ve had a spring-summer offer for a number of years. But running shoes are a different hill to climb.”
Two Shoes, Two Philosophies
Rossignol’s trail running strategy centers on what Castagnoli calls “a small, tight collection in year one” that addresses different segments of the mountain sports community strategically rather than overwhelming the market. “Initially we intended to launch three shoes this year,” Castagnoli said, but the decision to focus on two core models reflects careful market positioning. The Vezor, at $180, targets performance-focused athletes who appreciate technical innovation and proven race credentials from UTMB. While the $140 Venosk represents volume. “This collection that our new softgoods team has brought to market is really the most relevant and compelling we’ve had,” continued Castagnoli. The Venosk isn’t trying to win UTMB; it’s designed for the mountain athlete who needs reliable, comfortable footwear for training and daily mountain activities.
“We’ve seen a really encouraging response from the market and good energy as we move through our first sell-through cycle,” Castagnoli notes. “We started selling through early in certain EU countries and were challenged to meet reorder demand. In the U.S. and Canada we’ve managed to carve out a unique spot on specialty run walls which we’ve found really encouraging.”
Rossignol enters a trail running market where established players have significant advantages. Salomon leverages similar French mountain heritage, Hoka dominates the cushioning conversation, and Altra owns the wide-fit segment. Breaking through requires genuine differentiation, not just marketing positioning.
The early success suggests Rossi found that differentiation through technology transfer from their core mountain sports expertise. The Diapazon+ plate and Sensor³ technology represent genuine innovations rather than superficial tweaks to existing designs. Value positioning also matters. The Venosk at $140 competes directly with mainstream options while offering mountain-specific design and manufacturing quality that reflects Rossignol’s premium equipment heritage.
Rossignol’s athlete strategy goes deeper than typical sponsorship deals. “We’re happy to get shoes on all of our athlete’s feet,” Castagnoli says. “Each of our athletes need performance footwear for their off-season pursuits.”
Rossi freeski athlete Parker White knows the Cascade Mountains like most people know their morning commute. Whether he’s dropping into untouched zones or grinding out summer training miles, he has spent countless hours navigating the Pacific Northwest’s notoriously technical terrain. “These days I’m spending most of my time in the Cascades skiing, camping, hiking, whatever. The Vezor has been the perfect vehicle for going far in rugged terrain. Light and comfortable to get you far distances, these shoes have been perfect for the wet trail conditions in the PNW,” he explained, and it’s validation of one of the most calculated gambles in recent mountain sports history—Rossignol’s leap from years of winter dominance into the competitive world of footwear and trail running.
Marcus Goguen found them perfect for Whistler’s varied demands: “I just got my hands on the Venosk and they have been a great addition to my summer activities. Cross training is a big part of my off season program and these shoes have been sick for mixing in some trail running and hiking. They are even my shoe of choice at my weekly beer league softball game in Whistler. They can do it all.”
Hannah Melinchuk discovered them transformative in Utah’s high desert. “I am obsessed with these shoes,” she says. “I’ve spent more time trail running than ever this summer because of them. The grip is amazing on the dry dusty trails here in Utah. They are super comfortable and offer a ton of support, so even after hours on the trails my feet, knees and hips still feel great. It’s been incredible to get into trail running and explore the mountains in a new way,” she said.
While crossover Nordic athletes provide the strongest racing validation—they have three US Ski Team athletes currently racing in our shoes, as well as crossover athletes in Canada and Europe—these freeskiing endorsements prove broader appeal. “Many of our employees are trail runners, many racing weeknight series or training for longer endurance races,” Castagnoli adds. This isn’t manufactured marketing…its organic adoption by people who live and breathe mountain sports.
Technology That Matters
In a market flooded with marketing hyperbole, Rossignol’s technical innovations stand out for their practical application. The Venosk incorporates Sensor³, adapted directly from Rossignol’s ski boot division. The Sensor³ technology “optimizes the functioning of the three key nerves in the foot that unconsciously maintain balance”—the kind of biomechanical understanding that comes from decades of helping athletes maintain control in dynamic conditions. Both models feature innovative design elements that reflect Rossignol’s mountain heritage. The Vezor incorporates a “precision and slim fit for perfect wrapping and race-ready performance” with “asymmetric heel reinforcement for great heel support” and a unique “Wedge Heel Cut” that acts like “4×4 independent suspension” to adapt to rough and changing trail surfaces.
The Venosk offers a “versatile fit for daily performance” with the same Wedge Heel Cut technology and asymmetric heel reinforcement, but prioritizes accessibility and comfort for everyday training applications.
The trail running market has been dominated by established players for years, but Rossi’s entry represents a strategic business necessity rather than opportunistic expansion. “Trail running is a growth category in footwear with performance driven projects,” Castagnoli explains. “It was obvious or even overdue for us to break into this category.”
The timing reflects broader market dynamics. Rossignol started the development process several years ago, understanding that trail running combined with mountain bikes, technical apparel, and now performance footwear provides, “a reason to play in the category and be a partner to our retailers in spring-summer.”
“People put the shoe on, put it through the paces, and it’s been successful so far,” Castagnoli reports. Success comes from understanding that trail running serves both performance and business objectives for a brand seeking year-round relevance.
Strategic Growth
Rossignol’s trail running strategy extends well beyond the initial launch. “Next year we’re adding the long distance shoe, two new hiking shoes, and a waterproof Venosk,” Castagnoli reveals, outlining an expansion that addresses the full spectrum of mountain footwear needs.
The long-distance model will be called the Vercors, continuing Rossignol’s strategy of naming shoes after regions “unique and beautiful near our home base in France.” This systematic naming approach reflects the brand’s connection to alpine terrain and trail running heritage. “We’re just getting out of the starting gate,” Castagnoli says. “We’re dedicated and focused in this category.”
The expansion includes more than just shoes. “We have a trail run focused apparel collection and tech vest/hydration gear, creating a complete ecosystem for mountain athletes.” This comprehensive approach mirrors successful mountain sports brand development and provides multiple touch points for customer engagement.
Rossi trail running should be understood within their comprehensive summer strategy. “We have mountain bikes and e-bikes as a complementary business for our resort partners,” Castagnoli explains. While they’ve divested from Felt and Time, Rossignol now builds unique mountain bikes 100 percent in house that are “well received, priced right, with strong component packages.” This multi-category approach creates synergies across mountain sports. “For SS26 we have a new e-bike, new trail bike, new enduro models, alongside the expanding trail running collection.” And strategy extends to apparel with what Castagnoli calls “softgoods year round,” adding that the incoming Fall Winter collections will be their strongest thus far.
Rossignol’s trail running success positions them for broader mountain sports expansion, suggesting potential for growth in hiking, cycling, and other mountain sports categories. “Rossignol has built a reputation over nearly 120 years as a leader in mountain sports equipment, so this is a really logical next step for the brand in an adjacent category.”
The success also validates multi-sport equipment strategies for mountain brands. As athletes embrace year-round mountain sports lifestyles, brands that serve those complete needs gain competitive advantages. “The move into trail running and hiking really has been a natural evolution of the Rossignol brand over the last decade. Our customers want products that serve them for outdoor activities across all seasons,” said Castagnoli. This evolution from winter specialist to year-round mountain brand reflects broader trends in outdoor recreation. As brands reckon with shorter winters and shifting consumer habits, the lines between ski, run, and hike are blurring. Climate change affects winter sports reliability, athletic development requires year-round training, and communities increasingly embrace multi-sport lifestyles.
Parker White’s Cascade Mountains training represents this perfectly—a professional freeskier using trail running shoes from his sponsor not for racing but for the miles of mountain movement that build the fitness and mental toughness that translate directly to winter performance.
The Vezor’s precision and energy return show up particularly on technical descents where line choice and foot placement matter most. The Diapazon+ plate provides stability without sacrificing ground feel. Testers note the Venosk’s comfort over distance. At 265 grams, it delivers light enough performance for fast efforts while providing substance for long days. The slightly roomier toe box addresses common complaints about European mountain shoe fits while maintaining the secure midfoot lock that prevents movement during technical terrain negotiation.
Rossignol’s shoes also reflect their European heritage, with precision fits that some North American runners might find narrow. Production in Montebelluna, Italy—the global center of mountain footwear manufacturing—ensures quality standards that match Rossignol’s ski equipment reputation. European mountain brands often prioritize foot control and energy transfer over roomy comfort, understanding that performance in technical terrain requires secure foot positioning. And it’s clear that Rossi has taken advantage of the fitting experience acquired with mountain and nordic and alpine ski boots to achieve this result with the Venosk, which is both comfortable and secure, everything is held in place with simple but perfectly implemented solutions, according to the brand. For runners accustomed to traditional American running shoe fits, this requires adjustment. But for mountain athletes who appreciate precision equipment, the secure feel translates to confidence on technical terrain. And manufacturing expertise translates to superior build quality and consistency that becomes apparent over hundreds of miles. Both the Vezor and Venosk feel like equipment built to last, not disposable running shoes designed for replacement every few months.
Beyond the Trail
As we gear up for ski season, trail running’s value for ski conditioning has been understood for decades, but Rossi’s equipment brings that connection full circle. Using trail running shoes designed with mountain sports expertise enhances the cross-training benefits that serious skiers seek from summer trail running. The balance and proprioception development from technical trail running translates directly to better skiing. The eccentric strength built from downhill running prepares legs for ski season demands. The cardiovascular fitness from sustained mountain efforts builds the aerobic base essential for all-day performance.
With equipment designed by a company that understands these connections, the training benefits become more targeted and effective. Whether you’re a freeskier like Parker White, a Nordic racer with summer trail goals, or a general enthusiast seeking reliable performance gear, Rossignol’s trail running line provides compelling options backed by authentic mountain sports heritage. The Vezor delivers technical innovation for performance-focused applications, while the Venosk offers accessible mountain performance at competitive pricing. Both represent equipment designed by a company that understands the demands.
Both models are available now at Rossignol.com and select retailers. Although the category is crowded, trail needed fresh thinking and genuine innovation, and Rossignol’s entry provides both. The mountains don’t recognize seasonal boundaries. And with trail running shoes that understand mountain movement from a company with 117 years of mountain expertise, your equipment doesn’t have to either.
—Definitely Wild is a column by EO Contributing Editor Aaron Bible. He has been writing for Elevation Outdoors and Blue Ridge Outdoors, among other outdoor publications, for more than two decades, covering cycling, skiing, gear, adventure travel and mountain life. The opinions expressed here are his own. Follow him on Instagram at @DefinitelyWild.
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