15 best ski manufacturers

The best manufacturers of universal alpine skis

Universal alpine skiing is the most popular equipment due to the lack of binding to a specific type of descent. Special skis have modifications, but here everything is extremely simple, and these are the same skis that many had gathering dust on balconies 20-30 years ago. Of course, production technologies have changed, but these models are recommended for beginners who have not yet decided on their style of riding. And in this segment, the most famous brands of the market are represented. There are also less well-known, but no less high-quality options, which we will also consider below.

5 STOCKLI

Among the manufacturers of alpine skis, there are also unsurpassed masters. In the case of guitars it is Fender, in the case of violins it is Stradivarius. And in skiing, it's Stockley. The company was founded in the 30s of the last century. It was organized by a young Swiss named Josef, who was very fond of skiing, but could not afford to buy equipment in the store.He started making skis himself in his basement, and pretty quickly this, at first innocent, passion grew into a full-fledged production. These are the best wooden skis on the market today. Yes, yes, it is wooden, because despite the change in leadership, the company continues to keep the brand. It is difficult to say whether there is any sense in this, since modern materials are not only no worse than natural wood, but also in some ways surpass it in their capabilities.

Here, rather, a tribute to style and fashion works. This is a real exclusive. There is a lot of manual labor involved in skiing. As the masters note, wood is the most elastic material, and its quality is higher than plastic, but due to the complexity of processing, modern manufacturers practically do not use wood. And in Stockley they use it, hence the often “cosmic” price for the products of this brand. So, universal skis Stockli Nela 80 cost more than 90,000 rubles. They are fast, with excellent maneuverability and cross-country ability - a great option for expert-level athletes. If you do not yet have much experience, it is better to refuse to buy this brand in favor of other companies offering no less high-quality products.

4 Salomon

This manufacturer is known not only to lovers of skiing, but also to companies that produce equipment. The fact is that it was Solomon who became the developer of the technology called meil carres, which since the 50s of the last century has been widely used in the production of ski bindings. It was a real revolution, thanks to which Solomon became known throughout the world.The owner of the brand did not stop there, and together with his son he launched the production of the skis themselves, which are still often used in the most prominent and significant competitions.

Today, the brand belongs to the global manufacturer of sports goods Adidas, but this did not affect the quality of the products. Skiing is still popular with both professional athletes and ordinary skiers. Many years of experience and accumulated knowledge allow engineers to constantly improve their products and universal skis are the most popular. Such popularity is due to the marketing strategy of the parent brand. Adidas focuses on the average consumer, and he is more interested in universal models than specialized skis for carving or freestyle. So, today the female model Salomon S / Force W 5 with good performance and at an affordable price is popular.

3 ATOMIC

If the Austrian company Atomic occupies a leading position in the category of cross-country skis, then in the segment of mountain models there is some coldness of domestic consumers. It's not that people don't like the quality of their products - on the contrary, users note excellent performance, high reliability and low (relative to other firms) prices.

A characteristic feature of Atomic is the use of Densolite Core technology when creating alpine skis, which significantly reduces the weight of products due to a lightweight synthetic core. The side walls of the Firewall are responsible for shock absorption, reducing vibration and optimally redistributing the useful force (up to 95% efficiency).A similar set of technologies, reinforced (or improved) by other innovations, is concentrated in the Atomic Vantage series of alpine skis designed for off-piste skiing. Their cost varies in the range from 30 to 42 thousand rubles per set - not cheap, but you can feel the focus on professional athletes.

2 FISCHER

Initially, the Austrian company Fischer specialized in the creation of ordinary wheeled carts and winter sleds, having no illusions about the production of more specific products. But by 1936, the concept of the company had changed radically: someone or something gave the idea that it was time to reorient production to the preparation of sports equipment, leaving household habits far in the past.

As time shows, the volitional decision made led the company (albeit not soon) to triumph - in recent sports history, the brand was twice recognized as the best supplier of equipment for the Winter Olympic Games (in 2006 and 2010).

To date, the Fisher range has a place for both cross-country and mountain ski sets. In a number of the latter, the RC One series occupies a special place. Well-known skiers took part in the production of this set - this was reflected not only in the results, but also in the level of cost. Nevertheless, it is impossible to call the company's pricing policy too rigid - in the product range there are a lot of models designed for a budget user - for example, skis of the Ranger series.

1 HEAD

Head's age-old struggle with the weight of its products unexpectedly pushed the brand in the direction of technology development.The Austrian giant has been trying for several years to figure out how to make the most efficient use of durable but heavy fiberglass to significantly improve the parameters of alpine skiing, but all attempts were in vain. The solution to the problem was found in the fundamental sections of mechanics - instead of a monolithic fiberglass fishing line, manufacturers used a thin mesh of hollow threads, which reduced the overall weight of the product by almost 30%, improving handling and maneuverability when passing through treacherous curves.

One of the vices of Head can be attributed to what standardly distinguishes the entire premium segment, namely the high cost of the entire product line. The price of PRO-versions of alpine skiing (for example, Head V-Shape) often goes beyond 50 thousand rubles, and something simpler and more affordable in Russia will cost 30 thousand rubles.

The best manufacturers of freeride skis

Freeride - riding on virgin slopes. That is, outside the established routes. The occupation is difficult and risky, subject only to real professionals who get bored on the beaten paths. However, this style of skiing is not only in the absence of established places of descent. Its peculiarity is that the skier often has to make sudden stops, turns and twists, and all this at top speed. Freeride skis are also different. If the universal models feel great on the beaten track, then the freeride ones easily lay the track themselves. The differences are both in the materials used, skis need increased flexibility, and in shape. They have a more rounded nose and thicker edges for more stability and better control of the descent.

5 ARMADA

The alpine skiing market has long had its own hierarchy. There are mastodons that have long been in the lead, and it is almost impossible to compete with them. But they have one weak point, and two professional riders from the USA found it. As it turned out, eminent manufacturers do not bother to invest in marketing, and even more so do not look towards the Internet. Two friends and, in combination, professional skiers, set up their own production, and chose the Internet as a promotion. They started their channel on a well-known video hosting and created profile groups in all social networks.

The guys filmed a video about how they develop a new model and how they test it after production. And it's gone. The channels quickly gained popularity, and with them the Armada ski models. Today, the brand is known to all lovers of alpine skiing. And in terms of product quality, the young company successfully competes with the mastodons of the market. Working on technologies, they pay great attention to the design of skis - here each pair is unique.

4 Black Crows

Beginners who are just mastering skiing are often shocked by the prices of some models. It seems that they do not differ in appearance from cheaper options, and they can be inferior in design, but they are very expensive. This is due to many factors, but in this case, the secret lies in a large amount of manual work.Skis of this brand are not so often found on the shelves of sports hypermarkets, as they are made in small batches at several European factories, and a large percentage of manual labor is used in their production.

The company was founded by two professional riders from France, who knew exactly what they lacked in classic models. Like most experts, they preferred freeride, so the main focus of the company is precisely such models. Today, the brand's skis are highly regarded by professionals, but rarely fall into the hands of beginners. They are quite expensive, and it is not so easy to find them. It should also be noted that the company often produces skis for specific people, that is, its arsenal includes not only mass models, but also exclusive ones, made taking into account the personal parameters of the rider.

3 ROSSIGNOL

A French brand that has proven itself as a supplier of reliable and sustainable ski kits. The history of Rossignol has incorporated more than 100 years of successful development of activities, which naturally converted into numerous awards and universal recognition of consumers. Rossignol's breakthrough into the number of indisputable leaders happened not so long ago, but for a very significant reason. Years of research into the properties of the materials used, endless testing and adjustments have allowed the engineers of the French company to discover Tip Technology Air, a special technology that has reduced the weight of skis by about 20 percent without losing strength.

One of the best representatives of the brand's alpine skiing is the Rossignol Blackops Sender Ti freeride kit, aimed at advanced skiers. Light, agile and flawless in appearance, it is ideal for off-piste users.

2 ZAG

Alpine skiing companies are often founded by enthusiasts and lovers of this sport. So it happened with the French brand Zag, which appeared in 2002 and opened a small workshop near one of the most picturesque ski resorts in the Alps. A group of young enthusiasts set out to compete with the most famous brands, and today we can say that they succeeded. The company specializes specifically in freeride skis, and there are practically no universal models in their line.

In total, the company produces three model lines. Slap - for leisurely skiing in deep and loose snow. Ubac - skis for long ascents and descents on virgin soil. And H-Patrol - models for professionals and experts. The uniqueness of this brand lies in the fact that all models are tested on real slopes, and not in laboratories. The guys independently make a new model, after which they test it for a long time, making changes and adjustments to the model. At the heart of all the firm's skis is a solid wood core and directional fiberglass. The technology is not new, and not the most difficult in terms of implementation, but, as professionals say, such skis perform best, especially on pristine slopes and away from the beaten track.

1 Volkl

A monopoly company that alone defends the interests of the German side in the production of winter sports equipment. It was founded in the 1920s in Bavaria and, not without great effort, managed to outlive all competitors in the domestic market. A kind of Volkl's calling card has become the production of products focused on use at temperatures below the standard level, which is the best suited for the climatic conditions of Russia.

Despite the fact that all the company's products, without exception, deserve the highest ratings, both consumers and experts emphasize the alpine skiing segment (mainly for freeride). It is difficult to describe the whole variety of technologies used to create these series within the rating, however, one can note the high resistance of materials to temperature extremes, wear and excellent sliding characteristics. Alas, it was also not without drawbacks (albeit purely marketing ones): the cost of Volkl skis hits the pockets of ordinary users very hard, which is why the demand for them remains at a low level. To the credit of the company, it is worth noting that this is the fate of almost all premium firms.

The best manufacturers of alpine carving skis

For many, skiing is an opportunity to have a good time, slowly sliding down a prepared slope. Admiring nature and not really straining. But with the advent of experience, this becomes not enough, and against the background of fatigue from lazy rides, carving appeared. Already by the name of this style you can see what its main difference is. Carving, from English means cutting, that is, the skier does not enter the turn along the plane, but by putting the ski track on board, which causes thin deep cuts to form on the surface.Over time, this style developed into a full-fledged skiing culture, and accordingly, special skis appeared, since universal models were not suitable for this.

5 Augment

If we put the uniqueness of the manufacturer and its approach to customers at the head of the table, then this brand should take first place in the ranking. The fact is that the main direction of its activity is the production of alpine skis for people who find it difficult to find suitable equipment on the shelves of an ordinary sports store. These may be people with disabilities, or those with non-standard parameters. For example, it is very difficult for a size 48 foot owner to find skis, and this company will come to the rescue.

Since such a direction is very narrow, and it will not be possible to fully earn on it, the company has chosen the production of skis for beginners, juniors and children as the main trend. Yes, there are many similar models on the market, but, as a rule, children's skis differ from adults. In their manufacture, the same technologies are not used. Here we also get professional skis, in compliance with all quality standards, but in a smaller size or a specific shape. A popular model is the Augment Junior World Cup SL 148, made by analogy with the professional cup skis for boys and girls U14.

4 K2

Alpine skiing by K2 has long and firmly established itself on the shelves of Russian stores and for several years (during the period of wholesale popularization of mountain slalom and snowboarding) has consistently occupied first places in the tops of sales. The variety of truly cool products does not allow one single model to be singled out from the general range. Top performers include the K2 KONIC 10 COMPACT All-Purpose Carving Kit, which uses a Metal Laminate hybrid construction with Hybritech edge technology for stiffness and handling, and the K2 BELUVED 10 COMPACT, a lightweight and agile kit designed specifically for women. These models have been popular for several seasons.

Today, the American brand, which has given away part of its audience to more budget-friendly competitors, still remains in high positions in terms of popularity and product quality, moving from the category of “downhole” newcomers to real market old-timers.

3 VIST

The powerful of this world also love to ride on the slopes, but it is unacceptable for them to do it on the same inventory that “ordinary” people buy. Taking into account this demand model, the Italian company Vista launched the production of premium skis. Most fans of this sport will be surprised to see their price tag, and you won’t find them just standing on the shelves of a hypermarket. Among the company's clients are princes and Arab sheikhs, deputies and ministers. This is a kind of Rolex from the world of skis, as the lucky ones who have tried them in business say, the skis are quite high quality, although they are inferior to professional equipment.

The brand has both universal models and skis for carving, of which there are a lot, despite a rather narrow circle of buyers. Apparently, the powers that be are also tired of unhurried descents, and prefer to get their share of extreme sports. By the way, to call these skis the best will not work. In some respects, they are inferior to popular models.

2 Volant

Probably, each of us dreams of becoming the owner of an exclusive thing, but someone already is. Ski lovers are no exception, and the Austrian company Volant gives them the opportunity to have skis that no one else will have. The company specializes in exclusive models, although it has several lines for general consumption. Such skis can be found in stores, but even they will cost like the best models from the most famous manufacturers.

The brand has been operating for many years, carefully preserving traditions and production technologies. Skis are made by hand, although with the use of modern equipment. For their manufacture, only the best materials and the highest quality raw materials are used, but the main aspect that affects the price tag is exclusivity. Volant invites anyone who wants to engrave his name on a ski. Or apply your own print on the surface. All this makes the brand's models unique and original. Professionals also note the high quality of products. Basically, the company is just making great carving skis, and exclusivity is a nice touch.

1 ELAN

The Slovenian company ELAN is one of the few manufacturers aimed at creating equipment for skiing and snowboarding. A distinctive feature of their products is sharpening for dynamics, which is reflected in the technologies used. Unique combinations of approaches and developments make alpine skis from ELAN different from each other. Some kits are so specific that only professional users can notice the finest nuances of manufacturability. Actually, all the company's products are focused specifically on them: only a few consumers from among beginners or amateurs can afford such expensive sets.

One of the representatives of the extended series of alpine skis from Elan is the Amphibio model, designed for advanced skiers. It combines not only optimal technical characteristics, but also a magnificent, truly sporty appearance (manufacturers are distinguished by a keen sense of beauty). The cost of such a kit reaches 60 thousand rubles - a price that clearly shows the course of the company's pricing policy.

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