Julbo, the independent alpine eyewear brand founded in the French Alps, is proud to announce that Cody Townsend, legendary ski mountaineer, freeride skier, and filmmaker, has joined its global athlete team. This long-term partnership combines Cody’s world-class alpine experience with Julbo’s 135+ years of expertise in technical mountain eyewear, enhancing innovation and performance for skiers, mountaineers, and outdoor adventurers worldwide.
“Cody represents the kind of athlete we’re excited to work with,” said Marc Bryce, US CEO of Julbo. “He’s thoughtful, dedicated, technically knowledgeable, and incredibly respected within the mountain community. Most importantly, he is genuine and excited to share his passion with the Julbo team. This partnership isn’t about attaching a logo to a name—it’s about working together, building trust, and making gear we’d actually use in the mountains.”
Cody Townsend has redefined what it means to be a modern ski mountaineer. With decades of experience in extreme alpine terrain, Cody has earned multiple podium finishes on the Freeride World Tour and the Swatch Skiers Cup.
Beyond competition, Cody is celebrated for his filmmaking and storytelling, documenting high-stakes ski descents in a way that is both authentic and educational. His approach has elevated expectations for technical mountain gear, emphasizing clarity, reliability, and safety in extreme conditions.
Julbo and Cody share a dedication to authentic mountain experiences, ensuring every product reflects the demands of alpine adventure and ski mountaineering while maintaining quality, protection, and performance.
As part of this long-term collaboration, Cody Townsend contributes to Julbo’s product development, providing hands-on feedback to refine mountain eyewear.
This partnership ensures that every product reflects the realities of ski mountaineering, freeride skiing, and alpine adventure, bridging the gap between athlete experience and technical eyewear innovation.
Founded in the French Alps in 1888, Julbo designs high-performance eyewear for mountaineers, skiers, and outdoor athletes. Independently owned and athlete-driven, Julbo continues to lead optical innovation, including REACTIV photochromic lenses, polarized protection, and mountain-specific design for extreme conditions.
Trusted globally, Julbo eyewear ensures clarity, protection, and reliability, enabling athletes to perform safely in high-altitude, snow, and alpine environments.
You’ve worked with a lot of brands over your career. Why Julbo, and why now?
To me, it was all about the values of Julbo. Its heritage, its independence, its commitment to mountain sports, culture and people and of course the incredibly high-end, innovative and technical product.
In ski mountaineering, eyewear can directly affect safety and decision-making. What do you demand from eyewear in no-fall zones?
I demand my eyewear to be forgotten about. Essentially, if there is fog, distortions, discomfort or anything that makes me think about what’s sitting over my eyes, well then I’m not focused on the mountains and the line itself.
Julbo has deep alpine roots while remaining independently owned as an outlier in the eyewear world. What stood out to you about their approach?
Julbo feels like a Mom & Pop store but there is somehow the most highly funded science lab in the backroom. It’s a big company that acts like a small company. It’s people, customer and product first.
Trust is earned in the mountains. What convinced you that Julbo eyewear could be relied on when it really matters?
The first is the fact that most of my mountain heroes trust Julbo. Vivian Bruchez, Sam Anthamatten, Killian Jornet…I mean, if those guys trust the product, then I can definitely trust the product.
At this stage of your career, what excites you most about what’s ahead—both in the mountains and in partnerships like this one?
I’m 40 years into skiing and still feel like there is so much to learn and do. So honestly, I don’t feel like slowing down anytime soon. There will always be adaptation and change and evolution, but I know that my love for skiing and the mountains will never fade. So to me, continuing to be a skier and working with brands that have that same commitment is what got me here and will continue for years to come.
