Winter masks for skiing

Developing a winter mask / neck hose was never actually our plan. Supporting protective measures against the covid virus is extremely important to us, but for a long time we saw no reason why we as a company need it. This is fundamentally because the materials required for the protection required by the BAG (filtration efficiency, breathability, spray resistance) do not meet our own sustainability criteria. We also believed that there were enough brands on the market that already offer good protective masks. In mid -July 2020, however, we were pointed out by the “Graubünden impulse group” to a challenge that is not too negligible to neglect: The virus could become a huge problem for the operation of ski areas and mountain railways and there is a lack of suitable protection concepts. Because mountain railways are to be understood as public transport, mask obligation in the ski area applies.

The challenge

Because mountain railways are considered to be public transport, a protective mask is mandatory when there is queuing, but above all in the gondolas and other means of transport. In our opinion, there were several essential points that we considered to be essentially considered by Muntagnard:

• You are in nature. Using disposable masks cannot be considered. A horror scenario would be a lot of "disposable" masks or interchangeable filters that end up in the mountains as a waste. It is irrelevant whether this is done due to careless guests, through efforts (winds) or for other reasons.
• The masks must also be easy to use with gloves and do not stand in the way of helmets/headgear
• The mask must reduce the risk of infecting others by holding back the droplets when coughing, sneezing or speaking.
• The winter mask should rather correspond to a gadget, so that the guests "want to carry" and don't "have to" ""
• The mask must be washed and therefore worn several times
• The winter mask also has a function according to Covid, so that it is not just thrown away after the corona pandemic First draft of the Muntagnard Winter Mask

 

Start of the winter masks development

With representatives of the Graubünden impulse group, we have therefore discussed the situation and challenge and then started to develop a solution. The result was a “mask” that is particularly suitable for winter sports. It should be more of a “gadget” that you do not “have to” wear, but “want to”.

We were probably lucky: In a very short time we were able to find both an experienced product designer and an innovative production company that made it possible to develop this product. From the beginning, the production sauce could guarantee that an available fabric fulfills the highest European standard "ours-1", which is still valid throughout Europe. Of course, we not only wanted to fulfill the protective standard in Europe, but rather we also wanted to meet the Swiss standard for masks.

Ski mask / winter mask with Heiq Viroblock from Muntagnard

For additional protection we have all masks with Swiss technology Heq Viroblock have it equipped. We wanted to make sure that the carriers of the masks are also better protected.

Actively contribute to protection as Munagnard

For this reason, we have developed a product solution so that we can support in the development of protection concepts for winter. As a Swiss company, we hope to be able to contribute to a contribution to the regions of the covid situation. With our winter masks we would like to offer a nice and safe mask solution and make the winter safer:

• It is primarily about the protection of the population. If we can contribute something, we try to support our best and offer a solution. Through the request from the Graubünden impulse group, we were happy to initiate this development.
• Our customers have an active life between the city and mountains. We would like to offer these people solutions so that they can maintain their active lifestyle as fully as possible.
• Even if the materials used do not yet fully comply with our sustainability criteria regarding circulatory capacity, we can offer a more sustainable alternative to the countless disposable masks with the Munday Community Mask (reduction in the waste problem).
• At the same time, we are always on the further development of our products and follow the events with great attention. So if the need for a further development of our winter mask, there will be everything possible to contribute to the further protection of the population.

Proud of what was achieved with the winter mask