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The quest for the perfect ski

By Kim Thompson
Reporter
Local entrepreneurs start custom ski-making company

If you can dream it, Capital Custom Skis will make it. As Whistler’s newest home-grown entrepreneurs, Greg Funk and Josh Tarchuk are in the business of creating custom-made skis that are limited only by imagination. The goal is simple: to sell skis and reshape the ski manufacturing industry, “I would like to see the whole ski industry become similar to the surfboard industry in terms of having smaller companies building custom skis,� Funk said. “There is room for a lot more creativity and original shapes that are designed specifically for the skier.� Inspired by Whistler’s ample terrain, Capital Custom Skis is focused on building big-mountain powder skis. From twin tips to swallowtails, Funk and Tarchuk are in the process of rethinking traditional designs. Funk shapes each ski personally, which allows for the flexibility needed to figure out what works. Although a small-scale operation, the founders say Capital Custom Skis has the potential to start a revolution. Tarchuk said traditional ski companies tend to be driven and funded by ski racing, but skin-tight, fluorescent ski suits have been replaced with a new-school approach and skiers want equipment to match. Signaling a break from the norm, Funk and Tarchuk are driven by big-mountain terrain and client needs. “I think there is still too much race influence in skis because most people aren’t into racing. We are trying to build all-mountain skis that promise a more suitable ride,� Funk said. Building skis is the realization of a dream for the guys behind Capital Custom Skis. After moving to Whistler five years ago, Funk wanted to apply his ski-making philosophy to a business. In between days on the slopes, Funk built his first pair of skis and recognized the potential for something bigger. Both Tarchuk and Funk have a long history with skiing, which eventually lured them to Whistler. Originally a ski racer Tarchuk progressed into competitive snowboarding and recently stepped back into the skiing realm. On the other hand, Funk’s self-proclaimed, ski-bum passion started many years ago on the slopes of Grouse Mountain. “Being skiers is a huge advantage in the manufacturing process. We know what steps need to be taken and what we need to spend time on. Creating skis shouldn’t be done by someone trying to imagine a mountain while sitting in an office in downtown Toronto,� Tarchuk said. Part of the job is simply spending time in the mountains and getting a good idea of what works. Funk said a lot of people have great ski design ideas but no way of getting them built. It is a market with which he wants to work. “The way we build our skis allows for flexibility because we start with wood and do all the shaping ourselves. As a result, we can make our shapes wider or narrower,� Funk said. “One of my favourite things is coming up with new shapes.� News of Capital Custom Skis has spread by word of mouth and local skiers are laying down cash to get a pair. At a $600 introductory price, Funk and Tarchuk are making affordable custom skis at their workshop in Pemberton. Skiers such as Dan Treadway are even using Capital Custom Ski designs on the competitive, big-mountain circuit. “Starting in Whistler is great because we don’t have to drive three hours on the Sea to Sky Highway to get to the hill,� Funk said. “We would love to expand beyond the Whistler market because people all over the world want custom skis.� Tarchuk and Funk have a simple goal of making a living from the sport they love. Funk said the focus is on quality as more orders pour in from skiers wanting to make their “dream ski� a reality. “Our skis have a very original look with our veneer top sheets,� Tarchuk said. “Everyone has a ski they would like to see built and that is our business.� For more information, log on to www.capitalskis.com or call (604) 894-5080.