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What Skiing Needs!!

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YeTiSkIs
Posts: 25 - Karma: 18

Ok so this is the deal guys, me and an friend our making some skis and so far there coming out really really good for our style and our preferances. But whos to say they match up with the majority or any of the freestlye community out there. So what would really really be helpful to me and eventually to the consumer (you guys!) just give us some a negative or a positive from the many skis you have gone through, just one comment or 20 comments is wonderful. Tell me what you did and didnt like so we can more accuratley meet the peoples need and create a great ski!

Thanks!

Yeti Skis

Oct 29 2010 12:26PM
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YeTiSkIs
Posts: 25 - Karma: 18

Sorry i should have put this in as well. Not just the ski makeup itself. Prices, more design options such as graphics etc, anything from start to finish about buying a ski.

Oct 29 2010 12:33PM
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BLK_Shaman
Posts: 80 - Karma: 10

DURABILTY!! and holding wax well

Oct 29 2010 12:33PM
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JibbaTheHutt
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,597
the sizing seem pritty legit....umm in terms of like design some thing colourful but not to out there needs to be atleast 3 colours i would say...
Oct 29 2010 12:38PM
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Tripplesixty
Posts: 835 - Karma: 148
send me a pair and well ill give you a review...

But on a serious note, where I ski a super hard base (prevent core shots) and strong/thick edges would be great, other than that, shape and flex is more of need by need basis. Having a good park ski, all mountain and powder would be a good starting quiver to be making...
Oct 29 2010 12:39PM
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,026
One thing that really bothered me about a pair of skis i had was that the topsheet was HORRIBLE.

i do like when skis are very light.
Oct 29 2010 12:39PM
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YeTiSkIs
Posts: 25 - Karma: 18
thanks, yea right now we have a guy working on a few designs, right now we just want to do as much product testing and market research as we can do ha. never good to try to sell something way before its ready to come out. Thanks for the insight though!!
Oct 29 2010 12:40PM
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BLK_Shaman
Posts: 80 - Karma: 10
cooler bases as well as topsheets
Oct 29 2010 12:40PM
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YeTiSkIs
Posts: 25 - Karma: 18
graphics seem to be a huge thing with skiiers, freestle especially. would anyone enjoy a ski they could design, as far as coloring, pictures anything you want on a topsheet??
Oct 29 2010 12:42PM
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Tripplesixty
Posts: 835 - Karma: 148
that would be cool, but aren't the vinyls really expensive for a single print?
Oct 29 2010 12:44PM
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YeTiSkIs
Posts: 25 - Karma: 18

The way we are doing it, and since we are not mass producing skis its not expensive for us to do any graphic that you would want

Oct 29 2010 12:47PM
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Yung_Gnarley
Posts: 9093 - Karma: 3,040
How old are you? Or is English your first language?
Oct 29 2010 12:51PM
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YeTiSkIs
Posts: 25 - Karma: 18

I am 21 years old and english is my first language ha why do you ask?

Oct 29 2010 12:53PM
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willy_baller
Posts: 1622 - Karma: 693
I know its hard to make durable topesheets, but, it is greatly needed. I have gotten to many fiberglass splinters to count from my skis. I personally also enjoy a stiffer park ski. When a ski is to soft you cant land anything on larger jumps. The icelantic pilgrim is a perfect example of a ski that can hold up on big jumps. A good, strong, wax holding base is also important in my books.
Oct 29 2010 12:57PM
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DGiurk
Posts: 786 - Karma: 194
Delamination is my biggest thing. also length im six two and skies are hard to find sometimes. also wax they need to hold wax better.
Oct 29 2010 1:02PM
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YeTiSkIs
Posts: 25 - Karma: 18
what size skis do you need??
Oct 29 2010 1:32PM
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Scrambles
Posts: 2270 - Karma: 63
long park skis, in the 185ish range!
Oct 29 2010 1:35PM
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albatross.
Posts: 4380 - Karma: 772
defy skeez
Oct 29 2010 1:35PM
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Wobby
Posts: 316 - Karma: 266
a shit ton of full reverse camber, medium stiff, 130+ underfoot, 190 or 195 long
and as light as possible
Oct 29 2010 1:42PM
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Tripplesixty
Posts: 835 - Karma: 148
Your obviously skiing in japan
Oct 29 2010 1:48PM
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SuwakaFlocka
Posts: 447 - Karma: 1,472
tip tail rocker. early taper. fattys.
Oct 29 2010 1:56PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
In my honest opinion, the market is incredibly saturated with ski manufacturers as it is. How do you intend on differentiating your product from the other reputable companies that are out there already? What will make your product worth buying over a ski from the other manufacturers?
Oct 29 2010 2:12PM
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cubber
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 638
damn thick edges pre-detuned JA
Oct 29 2010 2:17PM
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YeTiSkIs
Posts: 25 - Karma: 18

that my friend is what im trying to figure out right now, right now its a pretty sustainable ski, all bamboo core, low impact pine epoxys, we are really trying to hit on the green aspect, which is hugely important across the country and especially in new england where we are. we have a good idea we believe that will be extreme in the concept of differentiating ourselfs from other makers, which obviously i cant tell right now ha, but we want to get as many ideas as we can and test these products, and come summer next year if we dont think its enough to make us different we simply will go back to our jobs and just make skis for personal use and for our friends haa. But ur extremely correct in saying the market is very saturated. not so much around here but in the main markets of colorado and utah. but thank you for the insight!

Oct 29 2010 2:19PM
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thejrp
Posts: 5 - Karma: 10
Solid topsheet definitely needed. No one wants skis that look like crap after half a season.

Bright colored bases. Makes photos pop!

I personally really enjoy the surfy skis that have good pop. Powder rockers are nice. I have a thing for swallow tails. Maybe only on the 190+ size though.

Oct 29 2010 2:22PM
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cubber
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 638
fuck going green make stuff useful instead of shitty quality that rots better
Oct 29 2010 2:35PM
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norm.storm
Posts: 97 - Karma: 35
Sounds like you know exactly what your talking about.
Oct 29 2010 3:04PM
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,026
very true. i've noticed a lot of smaller ski companies have very expensive skis. maybe you want to try to manufacture you skis as high quality, but starting them off cheap.
Oct 29 2010 3:11PM
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s-hand
Posts: 1334 - Karma: 1,800
race base=speed
Oct 29 2010 3:47PM
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Scrambles
Posts: 2270 - Karma: 63
race base also= more maintenance+less durable if not waxed everyday
Oct 29 2010 3:51PM
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k-fred
Posts: 5363 - Karma: 1,598
the base of the ski need to be very nice(not just black or white) put some n ice color on the base
Oct 29 2010 4:17PM
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MN_Nice
Posts: 3824 - Karma: 56
BAHAHAHAHA! For MAINE skiers?! You're retarded.

Anyways, stick to it dude. I'm loving this vibe you're giving off with trying to stay green in production. Good luck!
Oct 29 2010 4:30PM
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PULSEofdaNATION
Posts: 426 - Karma: 51

A ski that has playful flex, but that is not a straight noodle like my 07 fujatives

Oct 29 2010 7:31PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
This might be a really dumb idea, but mabeye make the skis come with Quiver Killer inserts, so all a customer has to do is buy bindings, no mounting hassle or having to go to a shop. Might convince people get a whole quiver from you guys.
Oct 29 2010 7:45PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,902
Dude, don't even bother.  Armada will just slap you with a cease and desist.  JK.

I was a hardcore K2 nut for years until I got sponsored by Head.  Long time ago.  I was not stoked at all to be sponsored by Head and really didn't have a choice at the time.  My attitude when I clicked into them for the first time was pretty bad.  I had pretty much decided that I wouldn't like them.  They became my favorite skis and I have been loyal to that brand ever since. 

The reason I loved them was that the flex was perfectly even and predictable.  When you get a ski like that you feel like you can do anything because you never lose your balance.  If you can figure out a way to keep the ski torsionally stiff and maintain a consistent flex, you will love being on that ski in all conditions.   When you roll it over on edge you will always know what you are going to get and you will be able to ski tougher conditions with more confidence. 
Oct 29 2010 8:14PM
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_Jesus_
Posts: 2070 - Karma: 260
durability, delamination, ect. thats my problems




Nice site!!! http://yetiskis.com/

good luck!

Oct 29 2010 8:30PM
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,849
how much do you think they will sell for?
Oct 29 2010 8:42PM
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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
awesome website, really like the vid of how they are made. Take them off some jumps though. Give a pair to a guy thats good at park so he can give an honest opinion from a freeskier perspective. Obviously you'd need a tester that has tried numerous brands and has skied from a stiff to a soft ski so he knows the difference.
Oct 29 2010 8:47PM
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Ducky.
Posts: 5811 - Karma: 1,420
Hard base, and durable sidewall (not like the shit K2 uses)
Oct 29 2010 9:07PM
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ryman
Posts: 113 - Karma: 21
Bright graphics. top sheet that is resistant to chipping.
Oct 30 2010 3:52AM
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zavskier
Posts: 72 - Karma: 21
make them to help the consumer, and what i mean by that is as cheap as possible instead of thinking about how much you could get from them. making good, cheap skis will help you more because that will really differentiate yourself from other manufacturers--and get people to look at you.

I know when i bought my last set of skis, i bought line simply because they were cheaper than every other comparable ski.

I'd really like to see a cheaper, good pow ski... i don't know if its possible since i don't make them but it would be really helpful.
Oct 30 2010 3:41PM
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TROLLED.HARD
Posts: 1032 - Karma: -11
weight is a big issue for me.
Oct 30 2010 3:42PM
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Oreos
Posts: 1207 - Karma: 38
because your grammar and sentence structure suck.
Oct 30 2010 3:45PM
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,751
I'll tell you what skiing needs.

It needs ski manufacturers that are innovative, brilliant, and have a clear idea of their target market.

What it doesn't need is another half-assed operation querying teenagers who don't have a fucking clue about ski design/building about what kind of "shred sticks they want, bros!?".

Here's a novel idea: Come up with your own dimensions, flex patterns, topsheet designs, etc., based on the kind of skiers you'd like to sell skis to, or based on the kind of skiing you like to do. Make a product that is of such a quality that IT tells skiers what kind of skis they want, not the other way around.

I'll sum up what people will say in this thread: Long ones, short ones, skinny ones, fat ones, soft ones, stiff ones, cambered ones, decambered ones, early rise, not, swallow tail, not, bright colored crazy ones, simple classy ones. See what I'm getting at? There's no universal truths in ski building...except maybe using quality and durable materials.

"Market research" is essential, throwing up a thread with awful grammar, that will literally accomplish nothing, will probably do nothing other than raise doubts about your professionalism.

Have you worked for a ski manufacturer? Are you a ski tech? What makes you particularly qualified to start a ski company?

And, as far as the green thing...holy fuck. "Green" is 99% of the time a lousy, disingenuous, attempt to pander to idiots via marketing. To truly produce "green" skis, I would imagine the cost would be absurdly un-cost effective—especially for an upstart company with little to no financial means. I'd like to see actual proof of "greenness". A lot of companies claim it, few live it.

I know this sounds overly negative and cynical, but come on...another am ski maker...making threads on ns....I feel like every shithead on here is an "entrepreneur". Make a quality product and prove me wrong, and I'll be the first to buy a pair and recommend them. I just have very low expectations for a company that is relying on this sort of input to make design choices. What about YOUR vision?
Oct 30 2010 4:48PM
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triebby
Posts: 8670 - Karma: 2,190
That was a damn good post. Well put.
Oct 30 2010 4:57PM
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Oreos
Posts: 1207 - Karma: 38
you just got some karma
Oct 30 2010 4:57PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,902
Agreed 100%.  Take a hint from Ping Golf Clubs.  When they first came out, they were so innovative and improved players' abilities so much that they were banned on the PGA Tour.  You make a product which is so far superior, you just win. 
Oct 30 2010 8:46PM
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LIL-WAT
Posts: 1510 - Karma: 146
Durable edges is all i ask, got a new set of punx and after 6days had 13 cracks in the edge and has now pulled out, useless.
Oct 31 2010 6:08AM
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Slettalaen
Posts: 366 - Karma: 120
durability and solidness, i 've more or less ruined 3 pair of skiis in 2 years!!
Oct 31 2010 6:25AM
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YeTiSkIs
Posts: 25 - Karma: 18
Thank you, this is a great post. But I think your slightly overlooking the market research we are doing. We do have a vision, and a vision thats not going to change because of a bunch of replys on a post on Newschoolers. The ski market is hugely saturated and to enter it with any success you need to have a niche and that niche needs to be innovative and truly set you apart from your competitors. Im not trying to gather ideas from hear and build a vision around that. We know what we want to do and we have an extremely good composite engineer and ski tech working on our skis. But by making a post like this once or twice through various websites, among the 200 posts that your going to get that are all based on peoples personal preferences you might actually get on person that throws out a quality idea. And clearly you haven't looked into the green side of this because its suprisingly on the opposite side of being expensive. Also try to live in Maine and get a seed grant or any financial support this year without being "green" in some aspect, they will push you right out the door and never think about giving you money. But I thank you for the post it was extremely insightful and well thought
Oct 31 2010 12:34PM
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,751
Well, that's good to know. This post was/is my first exposure to your brand and I have done exactly zero investigation into what you guys are all about.

I still stand by what I said, but I will add that new companies entering the market is—from the "big picture" perspective—a great thing. It means that our little sport is growing and attracting more and more interest from companies and consumers alike. While that might mean more people scrambling for first tracks, it also means product innovations, new resorts/destinations/trails, improved facilities, more patrollers/avy control workers, and.....maybe most importantly....more goggle-tanned people to share stories and umm....stoke? with in the bar.

And, yes, I suppose that if you got even one solid idea out of this thread or any other similar, I guess it was well worth your time. However, as this is likely also many other people's first peek at you guys, I'd caution you to be conscious of the fact that first impressions are crucial, and, though it may seem petty or inconsequential, stupid things like grammar, punctuation, and whatnot are noticed. To my knowledge you don't have to be fucking Shakespeare to make skis, but I know that I personally judge people who aren't articulate or eloquent...especially when they're selling me something.

No, I have not explored the nuts and bolts of building "green skis", because....well, I don't build skis! Common sense, and experience, tells me that building with an eye towards sustainability and minimal impact is very costly. My dad is in the home improvement business and his overhead has increased substantially in attempting to be "greener".

So, I'm glad to hear that it's not significantly pricier to build skis green. But, I guess it's both encouraging and disheartening to know that it's cheap to build low-enviromental impact skis; encouraging because it would be great if all manufacturers moved in that direction, disheartening though because they haven't as of yet.

Anyways, sorry for both overly long responses here, and I wish you the best of luck! If you email myself or Jon @ Brobomb.com, we'd love to arrange a demo/product test in the future so we might get a look at this innovative angle/niche you claim to possess. ;)
Oct 31 2010 2:45PM
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