Clone Ind, eco-friendly and artistic snowboards and skis

In the world of snowboarding enthusiasts, he is called Phil. His snowboards, in particular, have been seducing experienced snowboarders for 20 years this year. In his workshop in Saint-Andéol-de-Berg in Ardèche, Philippe Bongini shapes them individually and customizes them according to the customer's wishes.

A brief stint in the world of competition, where "sometimes" he ranked among the best, brought him into contact with them. When he met them again at the World Cup, he had them test his snowboards. "They found the product incredible." Philippe Bongini then created, with two associates who have since left, the company Clone Ind., which is also the brand of his boards.

"I think I'm the first to have switched my production to green"

While he is “not a competitor at heart,” Phil is a snowboard maker by passion. “I make everything from A to Z. And I like working on small series.” Both to stand out from the fierce competition that reigns in this market and because it is in his nature, Philippe Bongini no longer uses fossil materials. “I think I am the first to have switched my production to green.”

The man in the chapka now uses composite materials reinforced with flax fiber. This natural material is coupled with the "in-house patented" horizontal laminated wood core and a bio-organic resin. "The skis and snowboards gain in sliding comfort: fluidity, stability, grip," assures their manufacturer.

But what strikes the Boeotian is the look of the boards. Fun as can be. And it pleases, well beyond the French devotees. "In 2014, I had a big order from the Russians. One of them wanted a decoration with dragons. A designer made it for him." Because Phil Bongini likes working with artists. "It started with a meeting." This year, he teamed up with the Franco-Chilean artist Johazul. 37 "Toltec" snowboards came out of the Ardèche workshop. With the artist Xavier Veilhan, Phil contributes to a work of art. 24 skis made of cellulose, cork and natural fiber were painted using the artistic technique called "dripping". The paint is deposited by a partially random and controlled pendulum movement. Signed, these art-skis are sold exclusively on the akonite.fr website. But "at €6,850 a pair, we will hesitate to attack the black slope in favor of hanging at the show," smiles Philippe Bongini.

The “classic” boards from the Ardèche ski manufacturer are more accessible, although above the average price. “It’s a niche market. But that’s the only place I can go.”