Linklaters advises the world’s leading ski rental operator, Ski Company (SKiSET, Skimium and Netski), and its historical shareholders on their partnership with NextStage AM within a new joint holding company named “Sports Company”

Linklaters advises Ski Company, as well as its historic shareholders Groupe Annie Famose, Groupe Ski Service and the management team composed of Denis Marinho and Julien Gauthier, on the minority investment of NextStage AM in the share capital of Sports Company, the new holding company of the group.

The transaction, which has received customary regulatory clearances, concerns the entry of NextStage AM into the share capital of Sports Company through its investment vehicles NextStage Evergreen and the FPCI “Pépites & Territoires by AXA and NextStage AM”.

Founded in 1994 by a group of mountain operators, including Annie Famose, three-time Olympic medallist and slalom world champion in 1966 in Portillo (Chile), and Patrick Lepeudry, the group has established itself as the key partner for ski rental professionals.

Ski Company operates in particular the brands SKiSET, Skimium and Netski and relies on a network of more than 1,200 affiliated shops in six European countries (France, Italy, Austria, Spain, Andorra and Switzerland). The group has also developed a bike rental business, notably through Notresphere.com and the Beach Bikes brand.

NextStage AM’s investment in the share capital of Sports Company is intended to support the group’s roadmap, which provides, on the one hand, for the continued development of its ski equipment rental business, in particular through the roll-out of its affiliate networks and the launch of new products and services in France and internationally, and, on the other hand, for the replication of this platform model to other outdoor activities.

The multidisciplinary Linklaters team is led by Nicolas Le Guillou, corporate/M&A Partner, working alongside Associates Louise Allard and Sadjhil Forestier.

Banking Partner Pierre-Arnoux Mayoly and Associate Camille Judas advised on the financing aspects, tax Partner Cyril Boussion and Associate Colyne Nguyên on the structuring aspects of the transaction, and antitrust and foreign investment Partner Thomas Elkins and Associate Olivia Martins de Melo on the regulatory approvals.