Is A Custom Ski Right For You?
Credit: Parlor Skis
You have decided it’s time for new skis.
You walk in to your favorite ski shop and there, lined up against the wall, are 100 pair or more; all from brand name companies you recognize. All are high quality. But which one is best for you?
Since this is a buying decision that likely you make only once in several years, you want to make the right choice. You know the shop by reputation and past purchases. Maybe you know the staff there too. Ideally the rep who greats you is an experienced skier familiar with the areas you frequent and the trails and terrain you like to ski. The equipment match-making proceeds from there.
We’ve all done this dance. Today, however, there is another track that is gaining popularity: Custom Skis.
Here, you hook up with one of a handful of small companies around the country that construct a pair of skis that are built exclusively for you, the individual skier. The process is interactive. It considers not only the physical characteristics of the skier, but how and where the skis will be used: all mountain, or, powder, or carved turns; on groomers, hard pack, or in the back country; maybe lots of steeps and bumps; in the trees, wide glades, or narrow. Video of the skier showing style and technique may be incorporated too.
Is this for you?
First of all, realize this is not spring clearance sale shopping. To consider custom skis, start with the idea that you might spend north of $1,000 more than what you would lay out on a pair off the rack in a specialty shop. Second, understand there is a leap of faith in the process here. While there may be some limited general demo opportunity tor a brand test, you will own the custom made ski before the first time you put down tracks. In the discussion stage, be prepared to be as specific as possible and understand the options if outcome doesn’t work out.
Is it worth the price?
Mark Wallace makes the case that it is. A former D-1 college competitor, he co-founded Parlor Custom Skis 11 years ago. One of a dozen or more small companies across the country that are established producers of custom made skis, his Boston-based firm with 6-10 employees today produces 15-20 of custom made pair a week, each built by hand from scratch with specs developed and materials chosen after interaction with the individual client. It is a process that can take four to six weeks from initial discussion to product delivery.
And the finished product is not just technical. The cosmetics are personalized too. Want a picture of your pet staring back at you? It can be there if you want it.
“We build the ski with the client and we know it is unique because we develop the specs and control the production” said Wallace recently.
“On the hill, the skier knows ‘this ski is me’.
But how about the experienced senior skier? Chances are race results are not important anymore. Compatibility is. Are most able to tell the difference between a well chosen brand name model like they have skied for years and a custom made ski?
Bill Nizolek believes at least some can. He began skiing as a child and today, at age 67, still skis at least 80 days a year. He started skiing on Wagner Custom Skis seven years ago and now is as brand ambassador for the Telluride CO based firm.
“The person who benefits most from our product in an educated skier, one who regularly skis more than 25 days a season and who is passionate about quality.”
What about cost?
Says Nizolek: You can’t put a price tag on enjoyment.”
The custom, direct-to-consumer ski business is expanding and sales are nationwide. In addition to Parlor in New England and Wagner in western Colorado, there are established custom ski makers in just about every region, like Meier Skis in Denver, Igneous in Jackson WY, Praxis in Incline Village NV, Shaggy’s Copper Country in Northern Michigan, Community Skis in Mammoth Lakes CA, ON3P in Portland OR, and WhiteRoom Skis in Northern VT. All have websites. Some offer demo opportunities. Some also offer a small batch ready made ski model and some also build custom snowboards.
Is a custom made ski for you?
Says one veteran ski provider: “If you try it and you feel it, it’s worth it.
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Phil, There are so many really excellent skis made by all the major companies I think it’s hard to justify a custom ski other than bragging rights and a touch of narcissistic entitlement. And a one ski quiver doesn’t cut it for a serious skier. What works on ice doesn’t work in powder doesn’t work in slop. A quiver of customs might require mortgaging the house. And the best World Cup racers are on custom skis with regular branding – an exception may be slalom skis which are considered disposable. Speed skis are owned by the company, not the skier and are loaned to those who are believed to have podium chances. Of course this has nothing to do with us mere mortals but it does speak to custom skis. For everyone else rack skis are excellent. Dick
Back in late 2011 my late wife and I each took delivery on Wagner skis. They were not mirror images as we each described our own skiing, ski construction materials wanted, and design details (early rise or not, etc.) which were definitely not the same for the two of us. As we lived in Crested Butte at the time the skis were delivered to our home by someone from Wagner in Telluride. The skis certainly lived up to our expectations. I’m 90 now and if not for the age thing I’d certainly purchase another pair.
I say, there are no “bad” skis out there; it all comes down to where, and how you ski… Far more important are your boots; you can ski a mediocre ski with good boots but not necessarily the best ski on the market with a lousy boot… Spend the majority of your money with a good boot fitter; check your stance and alignment, canting?, pressure points… is a soft flex better for an aging skier or does the soft flex actually make you work harder?
Interesting question about boot flex. All I know is that I’m still in 130 flex boots and I like it! I have, however, gone from a narrow fit to a medium last and really enjoy the all day comfort…new Zipfit liners are also a nice touch over my tired stock liner.
Agree… I ski in a Lange RS 130 with a 100mm last which all give me a super comfortable fit. IMHO, there is no liner out there comparable to the Zipfit
What happened to mentioning Folsom Skis her in Denver? They are one of the oldest custom makers out there.
After a long life of teaching at all levels, coaching Jr racers and working directly with a couple different ski brands, I decided to bite the bullet and treat myself to a pair of Custom Wagners for a retirement gift. I was lucky enough to consult directly with Pete Wagner on 2 separate occasions and we zeroed in a a pair of all mountain (Western) skis. When I took delivery I was a bit taken back as they were by far the softest longitudinally flexing skis I’ve ever had. Pete talked me off the roof and convinced me that the way they were constructed with added torsional stiffness, that they would hold on firm conditions just fine at reasonable speeds (which I desire at my advancing age, and he knew that). My first few days on them were on very firm midwestern conditions and they carved as well as my traditional on piste skis and were much easier to drive! I was over the moon and called Pete right away to tell him I was wrong. Later that winter, during my retirement victory tour of as many IKON properties as I could get to, I skied almost 2 million vertical feet on all conditions up to ~10″ of POW on those skis and never stopped grinning…even when Jerrys would stand on my custom graphics in the lift line. While there was certainly a bit of sticker shock compared to buying my typical brand on Pro-Form, I have no regret and will likely get another pair one day soon…I think its time to get rid of my quiver of other 4 skis, with the exception of my 120 underfoot Bentchetler’s which I’ll never get rid of:)
just getting back into DH alpine and tele after a bad accident (where a 100# strangers dog knocked me flat, broke my c7 vertebra, wrecked my c4 cranial nerve and left me not skiing for 2 1/2 yrs at age 75. ) having lost so much ski time I may need to go for customs. thanks so much for the article ! 9and I can put my 2 Australian shepherd’s faces on them ? what a bonus !)