Shreddin' in the USA:
Ultimate Guide to the Top American-Made Ski Brands
American craftsmanship is alive and well in the ski industry. Some of the world’s best skis are manufactured right in my hometown of Salt Lake City, UT! As a passionate skier who grew up on skis since I was 3 yrs old in the world’s greatest ski Mecca, I’ve owned or demoed skis from just about every top ski brand out there. This includes great skis from American-made Icelantic, Voile, DPS, and ON3P to foreign made Volkl, Atomic, Salomon, K2, Fischer, Rossignol, Armada, Head, Black Diamond, 4Front, and Line skis (I attend lots of ski demos). I’ve also visited American ski factories and witnessed that practically every one of their employees are avid skiers who love their sport and craft. I can’t imagine that holds remotely true for Chinese factories.
What I know from experience is that American-made skis compete with or surpass any brand out there for performance and even by price. I myself ski locally made skis and recommend them to my friends and family. I want to help these fine American craftsmen out by spreading the word on how good these locally-made skis are. Why support corporate sellouts that exploit cheap labor in China with lower human-rights and environmental standards when better skis are made locally and ethically? The following USA made skis are the all-mountain, big mountain, powder, and backcountry skis that I’m most familiar with and can solidly recommend as some of the best skis available.
I currently own and love my Icelantic, Voile, and ON3P skis. I’ve also demoed plenty of DPS skis. DPS skis are exceptional but they are costly for the name recognition. Voile skis share a similar carbon/wood construction and ski very similarly to DPS carbon skis (I skied them back to back) while costing nearly half the price. One more note – if you’re wondering about DPS’s waxless Phantom Glide base treatment (created at my alma mater the U of U), yes it does actually work well.
American-Made Ski Brand Recommendations
DPS Skis
DPS Skis, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is known for its innovative use of carbon fiber technology. They offer a range of skis including all-mountain, powder, and touring skis. DPS is celebrated for their lightweight yet durable designs and high-performance characteristics.
Icelantic Skis
Icelantic, based in Colorado, is known for their artistic ski graphics and versatile ski designs. They offer all-mountain, backcountry, and freeride skis. Icelantic is dedicated to producing high-performance skis with a focus on craftsmanship and sustainability. Where to find them:
J Skis
J Skis, founded by Jason Levinthal in Burlington, VT, focuses on direct-to-consumer sales, offering high-quality skis at competitive prices. Their product line includes freestyle, all-mountain, and powder skis. J Skis is known for their limited edition graphics and community-driven design process. Where to find them:
ON3P Jeffrey 110 Skis
ON3P, based in Portland, Oregon, is renowned for its handmade skis built with durability and performance in mind. They offer a range of skis suited for freestyle, backcountry, and all-mountain skiing. ON3P is known for their attention to detail and high-quality materials. Where to find them:
Voile Skis
Voilé, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, specializes in backcountry and telemark skis. They are known for their lightweight designs and durable construction, making them a favorite among backcountry enthusiasts. Voilé also produces high-quality splitboards and ski accessories. Where to find them:
Wagner Custom Skis
Wagner Custom Skis, based in Telluride, Colorado, specializes in custom-made skis tailored to individual skier needs. Using state-of-the-art technology and premium materials, Wagner creates skis for all types of skiing, ensuring a perfect fit for each customer. Where to find them:
WNDR Alpine
WNDR Alpine, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, focuses on using biotechnology in their ski construction. They incorporate algae-derived materials into their skis, creating eco-friendly and high-performance products. WNDR Alpine offers a range of skis and snowboards designed for backcountry, all-mountain, and freeride skiing. Where to find them:
Closing Words
The USA boasts a vibrant and diverse ski manufacturing industry, with each brand bringing its unique touch to the world of skiing. From innovative technologies and sustainable materials to custom designs and high-performance craftsmanship, these brands cater to skiers of all preferences and skill levels. I find little reason to buy imported skis when the USA locally hosts some of the finest ski manufacturers in the world.
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