Hand made skis?

My Atomic Metrons are due for replacement at the end of this season so I'm looking for some new ones. In my online search, I came across many US and Canadian handmade ski companies (Moment, Paranormal etc). The graphics are pretty cool and I like the idea of supporting small producers. The prices are also excellent. I've never seen any of these skis on a demo day, so my chances of actually trying these before buying are about zero. Anyone ski on "handmades"?

I ski in the East with the sporadic trip to Western places with powder. I'm an expert skier (honest) but with limited glade/bowl experience.

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Originally Posted by summilux

My Atomic Metrons are due for replacement at the end of this season so I'm looking for some new ones. In my online search, I came across many US and Canadian handmade ski companies (Moment, Paranormal etc). The graphics are pretty cool and I like the idea of supporting small producers. The prices are also excellent. I've never seen any of these skis on a demo day, so my chances of actually trying these before buying are about zero. Anyone ski on "handmades"?

I ski in the East with the sporadic trip to Western places with powder. I'm an expert skier (honest) but with limited glade/bowl experience.

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Check out Ski Grace for the trips out west:

Grace Skis | Welcome | Colorado big moutain free-ride skis

There seems to be a ton of small, hand made ski companies now. Even the college kids down the street from me are making skis in their garage. But most of what I've seen are much more big mountain, backcountry, and powder oriented. Ideal for those trips west but not much fun on the eastern hard pack. Here in SLC, I can quickly name 5 companies making skis locally. There's got to be some of that back east but I'm out of touch with that scene.

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Originally Posted by ned

There seems to be a ton of small, hand made ski companies now. Even the college kids down the street from me are making skis in their garage. But most of what I've seen are much more big mountain, backcountry, and powder oriented. Ideal for those trips west but not much fun on the eastern hard pack. Here in SLC, I can quickly name 5 companies making skis locally. There's got to be some of that back east but I'm out of touch with that scene.

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Yeah, I think it was my most recent issue of Skiing Mag had reviews on 8-10 handmade skis. All that I recall were SLC or CO based. I don't remember any that were really designed for what I would consider
typical East coast conditions (read:hardpack). I think all of the skis were AT LEAST 110 at the waist. Believe me.....I WISH we needed them here!

It was the most recent SKI mag, but I know there is a local VT based ski company right near my winter base of Warren---I forget the name. It'll come to me......

What sort of skiing are you doing? Which Metron are you replacing?

Given my tastes in skis and boards I might look at something from Kessler for something a bit more race inspired. Lots of great little companies out there, depending on what you are looking for. I've thought the Sterling stuff also looks interesting.

got it now: Worth skis, worthskis.com

Not really what your looking for but some current UVM students started HG skis but they make park type skis.

To waste hours and hours on the interwebs check out exoticskis.com for a huge list of small and custom skis.

I'm replacing the Metron B5 which is really good for the boilerplate and groomed stuff that passes for snow around here. I'm too old to make much use of the park but I like it steep and mogul-ly. I make it out to Louise or Salt Lake ever other year on average and make the sporadic trip to Le Massif, which is about as close to Western skiing as you can get our here. .

For a small shop all arounder the Prior stuff might be interesting.

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Originally Posted by tele

It was the most recent SKI mag, but I know there is a local VT based ski company right near my winter base of Warren---I forget the name. It'll come to me......

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Where in Warren are you?

These are awesome I have the E-Turns, which are the older model of the ET 9.0. If you really want some amazing skis for cruising, and that look better than any ski you will ever see, go with the Long Cruise. They even burn your name into the tails before they coat them.

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Originally Posted by Eric Estlund

What sort of skiing are you doing? Which Metron are you replacing?

Given my tastes in skis and boards I might look at something from Kessler for something a bit more race inspired. Lots of great little companies out there, depending on what you are looking for. I've thought the Sterling stuff also looks interesting.

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I've got a pair of Kesslers for racing. Going to invest in his powder skis. A friend raced with him as a kid in Swtzerland so hooks me up. He has 5 bespoke pairs?!?

For someone who likes custom bikes they are a great choice. Though the appreciation of the Swiss franc hurts n

I had a Kessler GS snowboard for a bit that I moved to bring in the new JJA slalom stick. If his snowboards are any indication, the skis must rip.

Derr..

Igneous Skis makes Custom Handmade Skis, Snowboards

Custom means you choose the sidecut, flex and graphics. My fave hardpack ski is the 185 FGS (fat giant slalom) which has a turn radius of 25 meters depending. A good powder tool is the Snow Doobie, or Mike Tierney pro model.

Derrr...

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Originally Posted by EddieBirdsell

Where in Warren are you?

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german flats rd, right behind the common man.

Will you pick me up some Lawson's Finest Liquids?

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Originally Posted by tele

german flats rd, right behind the common man.

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Nice. My sig. other's fam is on E. Warren near Roxbury Gap.

Check out our local boys here in Vernon, BC:

Skevik Skis Inc.

Nothing but praise for their product and operation.

Also in BC (Whistler):

Prior Snowboards and Skis

In Colorado:

Donek snowboards and skis

Both also build snowboards. My 185cm Prior WCR raceboard is from 2004 and still makes hip dragging turns that cause enve among both skiiers and snowboarders.

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Originally Posted by AJPM44

Will you pick me up some Lawson's Finest Liquids?

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no promises it makes it back down to the flatlands! I actually have trouble finding it cause I'm too lazy to go to the source.

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Originally Posted by EddieBirdsell

Nice. My sig. other's fam is on E. Warren near Roxbury Gap.

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beautiful land on that side!

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Originally Posted by Look585

Also in BC (Whistler):

In Colorado:

Donek snowboards and skis

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Seans new "Rev" looks like it's killer.

back to the OP, I got my first pair of alpine boards in 20 years this year and picked up some demo Blizzard Bushwackers--love them! 88 underfoot with rocker tip. No problem on hardpack, wuick enough in the trees and enough float for east coast pow days. Skied in all the variable conditions so far this year and have been really pleased. I have seen lots of the bigger bro ski called Bodacious around but mentally cant make the leap to almost 100 underfoot for east coast skiing. Not a small company by any stretch but might be worth checking out if you are on a ski/bike budget such as myself.

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Originally Posted by tele

no promises it makes it back down to the flatlands! I actually have trouble finding it cause I'm too lazy to go to the source.

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He doesn't sell from his production facility, unless that's changed. Always on tap at Mad Taco next to Mehuron's and i believe the Warren store gets their delivery on Wednesdays.

Usually on tap at Prohibition Pig as well, and saw the man himself there last Fri. night along with jamesand.

Why do you have to rub it in? I will get to see him at the extreme beer fest in Feb. I could live off of his beer.

Hey man, at least you live about 6-8 hours closer. Next time you're in the area make sure to hit up Mad Taco. It's off the charts. I was up last weekend and made sure to get my fill. Bumping in to jamesand at Prohibition Pig was effin awesome. Totally unplanned.

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Originally Posted by EddieBirdsell

Hey man, at least you live about 6-8 hours closer. Next time you're in the area make sure to hit up Mad Taco. It's off the charts. I was up last weekend and made sure to get my fill. Bumping in to jamesand at Prohibition Pig was effin awesome. Totally unplanned.

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I thoroughly enjoy the Mad Taco, even with the knuckle draggers working there. I usually buy 1 thing and get something to go. Their sauces are kick ass but I cant seem to get past a sauce higher than 6 without major mouth burn.

I thought a buddy of mine went to Lawsons but he went to Hill Farmstead, which is still kick ass!

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Originally Posted by tele

I thoroughly enjoy the Mad Taco, even with the knuckle draggers working there. I usually buy 1 thing and get something to go. Their sauces are kick ass but I cant seem to get past a sauce higher than 6 without major mouth burn.

I thought a buddy of mine went to Lawsons but he went to Hill Farmstead, which is still kick ass!

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Ha! Don't be hating on my boy Pat. Their sauces are incredible. Last weekend I was really in to the #126 (I think). A sweet sauce at a 6 rating.

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Originally Posted by EddieBirdsell

Ha! Don't be hating on my boy Pat. Their sauces are incredible. Last weekend I was really in to the #126 (I think). A sweet sauce at a 6 rating.

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I love all snowsliders, really: my oldest (9) switched to boarding last year and at first I felt it was a public shame for something I had f'ed in a previous life but as long as he is out there with me its all good, even if its goofy or regular of whatever.

Fantastic thread! I'm looking to get back into skiing after switching to snowboarding back in the early 1990s. The last time I was on skis I was sporting 203cm boards. Yikes! Anyway, I have my eyes on the Skevik Skis Sevrin. I was on ski team in high school and college though am only looking to just get in some good turns these days.

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Originally Posted by AJPM44

Will you pick me up some Lawson's Finest Liquids?

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I have some of this in my man cave. :bigsmile:

I am somewhat close to Arlington, better lock your fridge.

Last night at my beer race league at WaWa I noticed some of the boarders were on Donek race boards and they were laying some serious arcs. I tried to comment on their mono boards but these particular boarders were not into humor. Anyway, those Doneks looked like they were pretty serious carvers.

I have a pair of Moments and Praxis, both are for the back country and big mountain but spectacular skis. I take the Praxis with me on my annual heli trips to British Columbia. Moment makes skis which would be more tailor made to east coast skiing.

John