Making Skis in Your Garage
It would be easy to write off High Society as another handmade ski brand that can’t measure up to the advanced construction techniques and materials of big manufactures, but it’s worth taking a look at their gear for a moment anyway. High Society makes skis and snowboards (Freeride is their common bond) with bamboo cores and rubber dampening sheets. Their skis and snowboards are made in Aspen sell for between $350 and $500, so they’re not outrageously expensive. As much as I like the idea of a small company like High Society cutting skis from bamboo in their shop/garage like a ski version of surfboard shapers, I just can’t imagine how their products can measure up to skis made with CNC machining and modern construction techniques. I think skis are such a different animal than bike frames or surfboards. These small brands are doomed unless they get their skis made by some big company, but at that point why even bother?
By- rockythompson
February 28th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
What part of a ski is CNC machined?
You crazy, Rocky. You crazy.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
This is definitely an interesting discussion. On one hand, its hard to compete with the big boys. On the other, you have companies like PMGear and DPS making kickass skis that the hardcore skiing element loves. I guess time will tell, but I don’t think these companies are going anywhere anytime soon.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
I dunno, I feel like the small companies like PMGear, DPS, Igneous, etc are holding their own. I guess only time will tell, but I dont think these guys are going anywhere.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
If you spent even 5 minutes on Google looking for articles about High Society, you’d know that High Society’s skis are manufacted in factories on high tech presses, with the latest technology. You should probably research more about companies before you start posting things like this that devalue a companies reputation.
March 1st, 2007 at 12:08 pm
There is little to no rational to support Rocky’s comments on small ski companies. The big companies would like you to thinks they invest in technologies and R&D unattainable by other vendors, but in reality the technological advances have only reducing the barriers to entry for small ski and snowboard designers over the last 5 years.
How about this Rocky? By 2009 the majority of Snowboards sold and a increasing number of skis purchased will be from companies that are not the big 5 that are considered craft makers or don’t even exist today.
Just look at skateboard vendors!
Get Real!
- The Chief
March 1st, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Chief,
Thanks for the post, it was nearly incomprehensible.
March 1st, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Do I really need to say it? If these guys take the time to produce super wicked bomber skis then they will grow and prosper… if they make shitty skis that they won’t back up with good warranty, then they will fail. Hmmm
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:00 am
don’t they cnc the blanks - you know- pre-mold blanks…the ones they make the molds from..uh. you know? like the protoshapethingeesticks?
March 4th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Thanks for making us all dumber. Like someone said before, why don’t you do a little research before you put this shit out.
May 7th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
um, no. HS makes a quality product that competes with the big dogs in the industry. They had issue but they have been fixed. Just look at a pair and you’ll know what I’m talking about.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
yAre you effing kidding me Rocky these small ski compainies do just fine and take Line skis or Burton for example they both started out in someones garage and now are pretty big companies granit line partnered with k2 and then theres specialty companies such as Wagner Skis that make the highest quality skis fo each individual with just as good of equipment (if not better) as the big companies. so personally i think it all depends on the person behind the companieand how they sell there product
October 14th, 2008 at 12:52 am
Ski technology isn’t that advanced, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist. very little material costs go into making a ski, and the materials base, edges, topsheets .. are available for everyone to buy .. from big guy to little guy. “High Tech” skis blow. I have no use for computers, or fancy power rods coming out of the ski. Simple skis are sick, and small companies are able to pump out what riders want … now .. not in a few years. Some of the sickest new skis are from small home grown companies. I love wood cores, and fat skis , viva the little guy!
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Oh snap! Thanks for your advice Rocky. I guess I’ll have to send those cores I glued up to a big ski company to be machined rather than have my step-mom route them. I should probably send the rest of the materials with them too. After all this research I’ve done I just can’t comprehend the advanced construction techniques or modern methods used to build a ski. Damn. Like someone said earlier you should get your head out of your ass before opening your mouth. Smaller companies tend to listen to their customers more so than larger ones which would equate to your R&D department being everyone that buys your product. Materials vendors are usually in business to make money so I’m pretty sure they’ll help with any questions that may arise as well. As far as being doomed, hardly. Again it depends on the product the company makes. I seem to recall some K2 skis that delaminated a few years back, but aren’t they one ofthe big 5? How can that be? They have super advanced future ski building techniques. Dude, I hope whomever you work for doesn’t find out you’re an idiot. You may have a hard time finding a new job.