The Dufour family’s passion for ski was born in 1870, as they imported skis into western Switzerland. They also organised excursions and ski competitions for selected guests in Montreux hotels.
Eric Dufour was an engineer and a great sports lover with a particular interest in high altitude randonnee. During the 30s, he designed and marketed the GAILLARD-DUFOUR rescue sledge. This was made of light-weight cloth and fitted easily in a rucksack. Using their skis and poles, it allowed injured skiers to be brought to safety at a mountain hut.
His technical knowledge and experience of randonnee led Eric Dufour to develop anti-slip, and later, adhesive ski skins. Helped by his wife, he oversaw the company until his death in 1988. His son, Guy, took over at the helm in 1996.

POMOCA has made considerable technical advances in ski skins over the last 70 years, and the company continues to innovate and strive towards marketing better and better products.

Some important dates:

1933 > The founding of Dufour & Cie. Louis Dufour and his son Eric produce anti-slip skins for the Swiss market, made from seal skin.
1939 > The first anti-slip skins woven from a natural fibre, MOHAIR.
1957 > Registration of POMOCA trademark.
1979 > POMOCA markets a new hydrophobic skin made from synthetic fibre, <Syntex>.
1980 > Invention of <Top Fix>, a new system from POMOCA that revolutionised long-term the way skins were affixed to skis.
1985 > Development of <Ever Dry> antiglopping treatment.
1997 > <Carving System> appears on the market – the first shaped skins designed to fit carved skis.
2003 > Arrival of <WPS> (Waterproof structure) POMOCA’s waterproof system.
2004 > Invention of Ever Dry Glide, based on Ever Dry, a new improved antiglopping treatment increasing glide and grip.
2005 > Introduction of the POMOCA Dry Sack.