Air Partner Magazine A/W 25 US - Flipbook - Page 42
WA G N E R C U S T O M S K I S
F R O M D ATA T O D E S I G N
As for how they are made, the process
begins with the brand’s proprietary ‘Skier
DNA’ system: a deep-dive consultation
that captures not only your body metrics
but also the 昀椀ner details – how you’d like
them to feel, where you ski most often,
and even what you’ve liked or disliked
about past pairs. Luckily for those living
abroad, the consultation can be completed
from anywhere in the world, and Wagner
ships globally, so while a trip to Telluride is
appealing in its own right, it’s not required to
create your perfect pair of skis.
To guide the 昀椀tting consultation, the
designers draw on a database of thousands
of models, each analyzed for torsional rigidity
to material composition. “Often people don’t
know exactly what they want,” Pete explains,
“but they’ll say, ‘I loved X about my Völkl
Mantra but didn’t like Y,’ and because we’ve
tested and cataloged that equipment, we
know precisely what creates that feel. It’s not
guesswork; it’s translating preferences into
data and data into a ski built just for them.”
By starting each ski from scratch without
molds and having the ability to draw from
The result is a ski that’s as personal as it
more than 2,500 combinations of woods,
100+ days a season; others may only hit the
is precise – a true fusion of artistry and
composites, carbon 昀椀bers, and metals,
slopes a few times a year but want every
engineering prowess. Impressively, less
run to count. “There’s a misconception that
than 1% ever require modi昀椀cation or are
customized skis are only for experts,” Pete
returned, a testament to the system’s
explains. “But we work with all abilities. In fact,
blueprint is approved, state-of-the-art
accuracy and the team’s skill. And the cherry
CNC machines mill the raw materials with
on top? Before leaving the workshop, each
they make a huge di昀昀erence to beginners
the team has complete freedom to 昀椀netune weight and overall feel. Once the
exacting precision, bringing the design to
and intermediates because improved
model is serialized and archived, never to be
balance and comfort accelerate progression.
replicated again.
For advanced skiers, a custom ski’s
S K I S F O R EV E R Y S K I E R
versatility and durability make it a no-brainer.”
with artists like James Niehues, or entirely
Wagner’s global clientele are as varied as the
The workshop also attracts those outside
bespoke designs supplied by you or
mountains they ski. Some are professional
the “averages”: tall or petite skiers, clients
developed with Wagner’s team.
athletes or die-hard enthusiasts logging
recovering from injuries who need to
life. Then comes the 昀椀nal 昀氀ourish – a custom
topsheet. Choose from rich wood veneers,
curated house graphics, collaborations
