The story and evolution of Mattis shops in Val d'Isère

The ancestral and pastoral family originated from Avalins, grew and broadened its tradesmanships at the same time as the Savoyarde area. 

Gérard and Philippe Mattis were the source of the family business.

Gérard and Philippe Mattis were two of five inseparable siblings, all born in Val d'Isère. Guided by their love of the skiing and of their homeland, they decided to devote their professional career to winter sport retailing.

Naturally caring and animated by human relationship, they both passed the State Diploma of Alpine Ski. They felt very passionate to share their knowledge, skills and experience as well as to offer service and customer relations to the general public and inhabitants of Val d 'Isère.

From 1969 to this day, several shops were opened in the heart of the village. Team involvement, proximity and customer satisfaction have always been the keywords of the company.

Mattis sport shops in Val d'Isère

The main steps in a few words

  • Gerard and Philippe Mattis set up Mattis Sport Shop in 1969 specialized in sport equipment.
  • The first Intersport shop was opened in the ski resort in 1991, providing a broad range of both ski and ski rental equipment at the foot of the slopes. 
  • In May 1993, Mattis Diffusion came into service for customers. Since then, the store specializes in gifts and souvenirs, decorative and designer items, children's toys and lady ready-to-wear.
  • Vuarnet by Mattis opened in October 2009. Well-known for their sun glasses and ski masks, the brand was logically set up in the area thanks to the two brothers.
  • In November 2010, Gerard and Philippe Mattis fell under the charm of the Odlo brand and its textile expertise for technical and innovative sportswear. The shop offers high quality, modern, efficient and comfortable sport clothes. 
  • Vuarnet by Mattis became Arpin House in December 2015. The Mattis family and their team are very proud to sell custom-made products and high quality services, based on the ancestral expertise of one of the last French weaving enterprise La Filature Arpin.
  • Five years later, in 2020, Géraldine, daughter of Philippe Mattis, took over the family helm. She is now in charge of all the group stores.
  • Arpin House became Colmar Shop in December of the same year. The brand is very well-known by all the chic sportswear fashion addicts. At the same time, a workshop specialized in racing, dedicated to competition, Racing Center, is created. It is geared mainly to enthusiastic speed skiers and competitors. It also provides maintenance and repairs on competitive skis.

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