Ski Production and Summer Skiing

Curious to learn more about how skis are produced?

After our article last week about the amount of energy it takes to prepare ski trails, we were sent an article about the amount of energy used to produce an alpine ski. How much, you ask? About 23 kg of CO2 or about 60 miles driven in a car. Those 23 kg of CO2 are almost equally divided between energy used for (1) materials, (2) production and (3) packaging and transport.

Looking specifically at production, basically half of the energy used in the entire production process comes from pressing the ski: physically pressing layers of p-tex base, honeycomb core, resin, sidewalls and cap together. The ski press heats up the mold and components enough to adhere everything together. How are skis given their flex? What makes a ski good for wet, soft or hardpack conditions? This is not random. Before the ski mold goes into the press, one of 36 pressure points can be tuned like a Steinway to create exactly the desired flex for each ski.

Learn more about the ski production process with Jean-Marc Draeyer, Salomon’s head of race ski production.

Vaccinated and itching for a trip to Europe?

Join Lumi Experiences this September! Visit the Fischer, Salomon and Atomic factories in Austria AND ski on the Dachstein Glacier in Ramsau and in the ski tunnel in Planica (Plan-izza), Slovenia. Matt Liebsch from Pioneer Midwest will be joining us as he helps share insights into finding the perfect skis, too!

Will travel to Europe be open?? The EU announced preliminary plans this week to reopen for vaccinated travelers from the US. Although travel isn’t open yet, we are offering a $300 discount and free cancellation for bookings before May 31 on this trip. Reserve your spot now, so you’re ready when travel does officially re-open.

Interested? Send us a quick message: info@lumiexperiences.com or visit lumiexperiences.com to learn more.

See you on the trail soon!
Garrott Kuzzy