Hand made skis?

[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.

[EDS]

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.

Check out Ski Grace for the trips out west:

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

[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.

[Tomwd3]

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.

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!

[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......

[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.

[Eddie]

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......

Where in Warren are you?

[AJPM44]

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.