Rossignol Snowboards F/W 2026/27 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Snowboards F/W 2026/27 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Rossignol
Interviewee: ARNAUD REPA – SNB CATEGORY MGMT

How would you describe the 2024/25 snowboard season in terms of market performance and consumer demand?
Market down 15% vs 23/24 with the majority coming from the wholesale while ecom and d2c showed a 10% growth (vs 23/24). From a product standpoint, the boards and bindings count for the vast majority of the demand contraction. While snb boots, goggles, helmets and protective gear showed significant growth.

What major trends are shaping the snowboard market (pricing, consumer preferences, rider demographics, retail shifts)?
US tariffs Seasonal Marketing (ie. align with interest peaks)
Personalization/Tailored gear
Online communities/Brand loyalty
Freeride snowboarding at Olympics (after the FIS acquired all FWT properties)
Dew Tour and US Open out/Snow League in with X-Games (multiple dates), NST and FIS World Cup circuit
Shifty/Float tricks

From changing consumer behavior to tariffs and supply chain stress, what’s been the biggest challenge for your brand recently?
Tariffs, hands down, since more than half of our snb sales are made in the USA.

BRAND FOCUS

What is your brand’s core mission or philosophy, and how does it influence snowboard design and development?
core mission: Built to Ride. Proven to Perform. For nearly four decades, we’ve prioritized quality and function you can see, feel, and understand, delivering rider-focused technologies that make snowboarding easier, more intuitive, and more fun. This season, our award-winning AmpTek camber story continues to lead the way with four distinct profiles tailored to every riding style—three of which are industry-recognized for their performance and accessibility. We’re also introducing an affordable backcountry freestyle board with a medium and forgiving flex, equipped with a top-shelf speed base, and an industry first series of bindings that will let you dial in the right tension, allow custom fit, offer power transmission, superior tweak-ability, shock absorption and skill-building control while the absence of glue and EVA will make servicing and recycling a breeze.

How has your brand’s role in the snowboard market evolved in recent years?
Granting the general audience and access to all the sides of the mountain through high quality standards on affordable products and a leading role in the freeride segment with the (great) help of Xavier De Le Rue, Marion Haerty, Anna Martinez, Enzo Nilo and Michael Mawn.

Who is your target rider for the 26/27 season, and how has this profile changed compared to the past?
No change, we’re aiming at the following:
The Performer / 20+ days, core, team influenced
15% of riders
20% of business
The Balanced Active / 10 to 20 days, quality/price, tech features
35% of riders
40% of business
The Mountain vacationer / 1 day to 1 week, holidays, recreational, rental, value, lessons
50% of riders
40% of business

Which product ranges or categories do you expect to drive the most growth in 26/27?
Twin freestyle + Directional Twins

SNOWBOARD SPECIFIC

What trends or developments in construction, shapes, and innovation are guiding your 26/27 snowboard range?
Freeride boards with stiffer tails to maximize floating Longer and bigger camber pockets to increase pop and stability at high speed Bigger size curves to reach more age/height/weight/boot size categories Smooth ride (ie. hybrid cores with PU strips)
FSC cores Varnish-free topsheets DDP graphics

What new materials or material innovations are you using — inserts, edges, cores, sidewalls, resin, glues, base material, top sheet, wax, or others?
Not bringing new materials but getting rid of UV coating and PU varnishes

How are you incorporating sustainability and ethical production into your boards (materials, processes, lifecycle, packaging)?
Incorporating FSC cores, varnish-free/coating-free topsheets, DDP graphics, recycled edges, bio-based epoxy Using FSC carton boxes with only 1 water based color prints

What design directions are you taking — graphics, patterns, collabs, or signature editions?
The 26/27 snb range is all graphics. We’re doing a collab with Salt Lake City’s photographer/artist Andy Earl on the XV series (5 boards).

Are you focusing on particular rider groups (freeride, freestyle, all-mountain, women’s-specific, youth, beginner) for 26/27?
Freeride with the new Wuji (intermediate +) and Freestyle with the Diva and Juggernaut (elite).

Key Products:

Wuji:
The WuJi is an all-mountain board for intermediate to advanced riders. AmpTek Zero Rocker and RadCut sidecut geometry deliver float and smooth turn initiation. Reverse directional flex ensures terrain stability. Benefits include reduced edge catch, faster progression, and high-speed glide via Sintered Speed Formula Base. Sustainably sourced wood core supports eco-conscious performance. The WuJi blends directional control with freestyle responsiveness. Available in 139, 143, 147, 151, 155, 158w, 159, 162, 163w and 166w MSRP 450 euros

WUJI

Juggernaut:
The Juggernaut is a true-twin freestyle board for advanced riders demanding precision and energy. AmpTek Elite Rocker and RadCut sidecut deliver stability, maneuverability, and catch-free control. Paulownia/Poplar laminates ensure lightweight strength; Carbon/Kevlar® reinforcements add pop and shock absorption. Benefits include groomer carving, park progression, and terrain responsiveness. Endorsed by Enzo Nilo, Marion Haerty, Anna Martinez and Kea Chretien Available in 152, 155, 158, 158w, 161w, 162 MSRP 600 euros

JUGGERNAUT

Diva:
The Diva is a high-performance all-mountain freestyle board for advanced women riders. AmpTek Elite Rocker and L.I.T.E. Frame core deliver pop, grip, and dampening. 5S Serrated Edges and RadCut sidecut enhance carving and maneuverability. Twin Freestyle flex ensures freestyle balance; mid-stiff flex provides terrain adaptability. Benefits include smooth ride control and high-speed stability. Sustainably sourced wood core reinforces durability. Endorsed by Marion Haerty, Anna Martinez and Estelle Rizzolio Available in 140, 144, 148, 152 MSRP 580 euros

DIVA