4FRNT Honors Late Skier with Limited Edition Ski

Originally posted on Powder | By Izzy Lidsky | Last updated Dec 16, 2024 10:48 AM ET

Burlington-based ski brand, 4FRNT, is releasing a limited edition ski in memory of one of their athletes who passed away last year.

The ski honors Josh Randich, who was known not only for his skiing, but for being a highly skilled paraglider and speed-flyer. Randich passed in a speed-flying accident in Alaska in October of 2023 after his wing collapsed. An avid skier, Randich grew up in Alaska and called Girdwood and the Chugach mountains home. After trying CR Johnson's pro-model at a ski test in Jackson Hole, Randich was hooked on 4FRNT skis.

He submitted a sponsorship video the next season and joined the team soon after. An athlete with 4FRNT for almost two decades, Randich contributed to many of the brand's films, and was a leading voice in their product design and graphics. "He was known to the world as hilarious, generous, passionate, and an overall stand up pal," said 4FRNT founder Matt Sterbenz in a blog post remembering Randich announcing the limited edition ski.

Randich picked up speed-flying in 2018 after an injury to his hip that made skiing difficult. As he had with skiing, Randich quickly became a pillar of the Alaskan paragliding community and a pioneer of the niche sport.

"Reflecting on Josh and the experience around the Randich Renegade is for sure the most profound thing I've done in my tenure at 4FRNT. I'm overwhelmed with stoke, burdened with sadness, inspired by community, and invigorated to live life to the fullest. Today, the culmination of efforts from Josh Randich's inner circle, near and far, come to fruition. From dreaming up this concept with his close pals, to gathering, scanning, and arranging his artwork into this top sheet, to communicating with family and community to make this dream a reality, I sit here today with the Randich Renegade in my peripherals knowing that Josh would be STOKED that this ski exists," said 4FRNT brand manager Sam Kimmerle in an Instagram post announcing the ski.

The limited edition ski is a version of the 4FRNT Renegade, one of Eric Hjorleifson's pro-model touring skis, with a collection of Randich's paintings as the top sheet. The 'Randich Renegade' will be available in limited sizes from 4FRNT starting on December 13, at Noon MST. A portion of sales proceeds will be donated to the Chugach Avalanche Center under Randich's name.

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This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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