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HOW TO MAKE SKIS

Create your own bespoke pair at a weekend workshop
Prepare the TEMPLATE using a jigsaw, and nish the edges with sandpaper. The template denes the shape of the skis various layers. Cut out the CORE . This must be planed so it is the shape of the template. Cut out the BASE using a Stanley knife. Then shape the edges and glue them to the base. For the TOP LAYER of the ski, choose from a material design, a wood veneer or a sheet with a graphic image. Create a SKI SANDWICH by assembling the layers, covering them with epoxy resin, then ring in a vacuum oven overnight.

whims of the buyer. And unlike a bespoke suit, which wont give you much change from 4,000, SPURarts prices start at 690. Once youve built your own, the way you think about skiing changes forever, says Bartholomew, who originally hails from Boston in the US, but landed in Innsbruck nearly four years ago. You start thinking about how skis feel on the slopes and what you can do to tweak the next set. We get lots of repeat buyers. SPURarts customers are even invited to take part in the process by attending one of the IN A BIND two-day building workshops that run every weekend during the ski season, 03 Paul (left) and Michael in the workshop led by Munich-born Freymann, 04 Skis laid on fake snow who was a ski tester in a previous life. ready for the shoot
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A consultation, prior to the course, covers UNWRAP the skis, and separate everything from the using a jigsaw. type of skier they are to SMOOTH with sandpaper, and the actual design. apply oil to wood veneer. Its quite hands-on, says Bartholomew. We prepare all the materials in advance, but customers actually build their own skis. By limiting the numbers to a maximum of eight, we make sure everyone gets to work with our engineers. The best part is that, being in Innsbruck, you can then go try your skis out on the slopes as soon as youve nished. So what about our skis? Well, this process actually took a little longer than the usual three weeks. We insisted on wood veneers which SPURart specialise in but beyond that it was very much a case of trial and error over the course of two months to discover what would work. We had to come up with some new techniques in order to get the lettering on, says Bartholomew. The Traveller logo, which is on a pair we made specially from scratch using bamboo, was done using laser etching, while the white letters were printed on clear material and overlaid. Its not the kind of design we normally oer on the skis that we make, but it certainly worked for the shoot. Needless to say, were also thrilled with the results. See more at spurart.at

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