Yoann Colliat has a love of the mountains which many will recognise, and his enthusiasm for sharing his extensive knowledge of mountain sports makes him the “go to” person for all things to do with ski equipment, and especially touring gear. He shows us his collection of old touring skins, and explains how they’ve developed over time. It’s like a private museum, and I am pleased that mine are of the more modern variety.
Yoann grew up in Chambery, but his parents originated from Bourg. Yoann is now back living in Bourg, and he feels like he has returned to his roots. “Growing up, I never knew what I was going to do. I just followed my passion, and that was spending time in the mountains”.
Nourishing this passion and adventurous spirit has led him through his transition from ESF instructor, to freelance instructor, and then becoming a ski guide and paragliding instructor. He is now owner and manager of Zigzags.
When he first came to Sainte Foy, there was nothing but a few farm buildings with a few animals roaming around. But Yoann saw the potential early on, and it was a good fit with his desire to live in the natural environment of the mountains. “I wanted to watch it grow” he tells us, with a hint that he could see what was in the offing.
Walter, a completely bilingual ski technician brings round coffee for everyone, and Sara and Celestine join us, bringing their cheery nature to the conversation. This is a perfect example of work and pleasure melding into one.
The doorbell rings out to announce the arrival of Carole Gauthier, a private ski instructor who’s popped in to have her skis serviced. Yoann casts his expert eye over the skis and passes on the requirements of the service to the technicians. There’s a good understanding in this team, and a pride in their workmanship. It’s a happy working environment here.
The business originally started out in 1990, where the L’à Coeur restaurant is today, and Yoann remembers the current shop was a children’s nursery. Zigzags’ business grew, moved premises, expanded into the shop next door. Yoann has been the driving force behind these changes since he took over the business in 2006.
Yoann is no stranger to high octane activity, and there is a quiet confidence about him as he explains to us that, “I also used to be a paragliding instructor, until they put up wires everywhere to carry the explosives for triggering avalanches. It’s important for safety though, so I don’t mind”.
Just like the attentive eye he passes over the hired out equipment in his shop, I imagine that he was a thoroughly well prepared paraglider. And as if to prove the point, David from Evolution 2 comes into the shop asking Yoann to check over his ski bindings. There is a cheerful camaraderie between these two old friends giving a buzz to the fun atmosphere in the shop.
As we say our goodbyes, Yoann tells us that it’s a good skiing day today. He prefers to pick and choose his outings, and he will be grabbing a couple of hours out on his skis at lunchtime. It’s a sure sign that passion is still burning strongly. As if I was in any doubt!
