Has anyone ever dabbled in custom skis? I regularly get solicitations from Wagner and Meier, but I've never been in the market. Just curious if custom is worth the hype and the $$$.
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Custom Skis
- Thread starter BlizzardBabe
- Start date
No experience, and not likely to ever consider the option. I prefer to be able to demo before buying, especially when spending over $1000. Most of the skis I've bought in the last 15 years cost $400-800 new and a few pairs were bought used from a Diva after demo'ing a season or two before.
The founder of Parlor (northeast) and a brand ambassador for Wagner (Telluride) were interviewed for this article geared towards senior skiers.
January 2025
https://seniorsskiing.com/is-a-custom-ski-right-for-you/
" . . .
Today, however, there is another track that is gaining popularity: Custom Skis.
Here, you hook up with one of a handful of small companies around the country that construct a pair of skis that are built exclusively for you, the individual skier. The process is interactive. It considers not only the physical characteristics of the skier, but how and where the skis will be used: all mountain, or, powder, or carved turns; on groomers, hard pack, or in the back country; maybe lots of steeps and bumps; in the trees, wide glades, or narrow. Video of the skier showing style and technique may be incorporated too.
Is this for you?
First of all, realize this is not spring clearance sale shopping. To consider custom skis, start with the idea that you might spend north of $1,000 more than what you would lay out on a pair off the rack in a specialty shop. Second, understand there is a leap of faith in the process here. While there may be some limited general demo opportunity tor a brand test, you will own the custom made ski before the first time you put down tracks. In the discussion stage, be prepared to be as specific as possible and understand the options if outcome doesn’t work out.
Is it worth the price?
. . ."
The founder of Parlor (northeast) and a brand ambassador for Wagner (Telluride) were interviewed for this article geared towards senior skiers.
January 2025
https://seniorsskiing.com/is-a-custom-ski-right-for-you/
" . . .
Today, however, there is another track that is gaining popularity: Custom Skis.
Here, you hook up with one of a handful of small companies around the country that construct a pair of skis that are built exclusively for you, the individual skier. The process is interactive. It considers not only the physical characteristics of the skier, but how and where the skis will be used: all mountain, or, powder, or carved turns; on groomers, hard pack, or in the back country; maybe lots of steeps and bumps; in the trees, wide glades, or narrow. Video of the skier showing style and technique may be incorporated too.
Is this for you?
First of all, realize this is not spring clearance sale shopping. To consider custom skis, start with the idea that you might spend north of $1,000 more than what you would lay out on a pair off the rack in a specialty shop. Second, understand there is a leap of faith in the process here. While there may be some limited general demo opportunity tor a brand test, you will own the custom made ski before the first time you put down tracks. In the discussion stage, be prepared to be as specific as possible and understand the options if outcome doesn’t work out.
Is it worth the price?
. . ."
Looks like we could ask Parlor at Snowbound Expo next month. Meier isn't on the Exhibitor list.
I think it is a bit more involved if you are ordering "full" custom. They have you meet with a rep and go through all your likes/dislikes re skis, the type of skiing you want to do with the skis, your ability level (you can submit video), goals, etc. Going this route, I understand that they build the ski from scratch. A less expensive option is their "stock" inventory if you find something in that selection that you think will meet your needs.
Top sheets can be fully customized. I wouldn't mind looking down and seeing my cats' faces on my skis.
HuntersEmma57
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I will go on record as unequivocally disputing the notion there is even the possibility of the Holy Grail single even custom ski that will perform well everywhere. That's why most of us fortunate enough to ski a lot have quivers. One ski simply cannot excel in every condition. Period. Full Stop.
Howveer, there are benefits to a custom ski -- they are probabl very well suited for a skier who doesn't ski widely varied types of snow and terrain. Perfect example: Season passer at Deer Valley.
I do see one major benefit to a custom ski - that is the assessment process. Most of us could benefit from that level of personal assessment to gain a fuller understanding of what kind of skier we actually are and where we like to ski. Finding the right tool for YOU.
In an ideal world, ski shop personnel would have the time to ask the same questions as asked above and then also possess the knowledge to match skier profiles to the terrain and snow types the customer typically skis. That's a big ask for busy ski shops. We've all been dazzled by the industry reviews of skis -- where all of them are described with superlatives. It's bewildering. My spouse often says there are really no bad skis out there anymore. More depends on you buying a ski that works for where and how you play.
Then there's this: An Example of Head to Snow Desire Disconnect
I have a friend who swears she wants to ski more powder and is actively shopping powder skis. But she also insists that she doesn't want to go longer or wider underfoot. Well, the chief characteristic of a powder compatible ski is wider and longer. The skis need to float your weight atop deep powder.
Then she described for me what she really wants to do -- ski some deeper fresh snow on groomers with short forays off the edges onto some deeper fresh - under 6".
She the told me she's afraid of steep terrain. Deep powder forces you to steep terrain because you'll literally get stuck on flatter terrain (even blues). And that really sucks. So she wants a powder ski, but doesn't want to ski the conditions powder skis are designed for. I suggested an all mountain ski with some notable powder characteristics (wider waist and early rise tip).
Buying a ski for your future self/dreams may not serve you well.
All Mountain skis are designed to do several things ably, but not epically, and with limitations. Each ski typically does have a sweet spot. A good LOCAL ski shop can dial you in to which ski will work more likely work well for you there. They know their mountains and snow pack characteristics.
The One Thing That Determines if You Will Like Any Ski: Turning radius. Be very clear on your preferred turning radius preference. If you like to make a lot of shorter turns for fun or to manage/reduce your speed, make sure they know this. If you prefer long fast descents on open slopes, you'll want a longer (higher number) turning radius. If you don't get this right, you'll feel like your fighting you skis all day long. Because you are - fighting its baseline engineered characteristics.
Just don't get mad or disappointed in yourself if your All Mountain ski doesn't handle both a 12" dump and boilerplate manmade snow. There is no work around for the right tool for the right job.
I completely agree, @HuntersEmma57 . A full custom assessment would be great to have, but it really does come at a price.
Honestly, I have found the folks at SkiEssentials to be the most helpful in performing at least a perfunctory assessment (something, as you note, not all ski shops will be able to do). I've asked detailed questions online on their reviews of skis that I find appealing and gotten cogent, helpful responses and suggestions. They've also been very helpful, patient, and engaged on the phone when I've had occasion to call them. Very knowledgeable about a great number of skis - not all, but many.
It is b/c of their reviews and assistance that I originally purchased the Volkl Blaze 86 in 2022. It has been the real foundation ski in my quiver ever since. In fact, I like it so much that I just replaced my (now beat to hell) 2022 with the 2026. I also bought the 2025 Blaze 94 last year for western trips. If I ever feel the need to have a powder ski I'll look further at the Blaze line.
Some day I might consider custom for skiing my mid-Atlantic home terrain & conditions since I know them so thoroughly. You are wise to point this out, I think. And . . . honestly . . . it would be tres cool to design my own top sheet.
Honestly, I have found the folks at SkiEssentials to be the most helpful in performing at least a perfunctory assessment (something, as you note, not all ski shops will be able to do). I've asked detailed questions online on their reviews of skis that I find appealing and gotten cogent, helpful responses and suggestions. They've also been very helpful, patient, and engaged on the phone when I've had occasion to call them. Very knowledgeable about a great number of skis - not all, but many.
It is b/c of their reviews and assistance that I originally purchased the Volkl Blaze 86 in 2022. It has been the real foundation ski in my quiver ever since. In fact, I like it so much that I just replaced my (now beat to hell) 2022 with the 2026. I also bought the 2025 Blaze 94 last year for western trips. If I ever feel the need to have a powder ski I'll look further at the Blaze line.
Some day I might consider custom for skiing my mid-Atlantic home terrain & conditions since I know them so thoroughly. You are wise to point this out, I think. And . . . honestly . . . it would be tres cool to design my own top sheet.
Yep, it looks like with both Meier and Parlor you can get fully custom top sheets. But with Parlor you can customize more.I think it is a bit more involved if you are ordering "full" custom. They have you meet with a rep and go through all your likes/dislikes re skis, the type of skiing you want to do with the skis, your ability level (you can submit video), goals, etc. Going this route, I understand that they build the ski from scratch. A less expensive option is their "stock" inventory if you find something in that selection that you think will meet your needs.
Top sheets can be fully customized. I wouldn't mind looking down and seeing my cats' faces on my skis.
It looks like there are 3 options for buying Meier skis. 1: standard- buy ski x with the usual graphic. 2: semi-custom-- buy ski x with your choice from a list of set graphics. 3: full custom- buy ski x and collaborate with their design team to get a one of a kind top sheet. But all of them start with choosing one of their usual ski constructions/ shapes/ sizes. It does sound like they are made to order, but the amount of customization is limited to the graphics.
Parlor also has two levels of custom, but with different options than above. For "Signature Custom" you start by choosing one of their set model shapes and lengths, but then customize by selecting if you want soft, medium, or stiff flex. You also get a choice of 5 different solid top sheet colors with Parlor branding on it. But their Full Custom does sound like it really is a custom ski built ski where you can vary everything from flex to sidecut, camber, rocker, etc. as well as a custom graphic on the top sheet. Well, there is actually a third level of custom- it is basically the Full Custom but (for an extra charge) over the course of two days you get to help with some of the build process and learn about the hows and whys of how they build the ski. So not only a fully unique ski, but you can say you did it yourself (at least some of it yourself.)
Ooh, it would be cool to have a raffle for a ski with a custom Ski Diva top sheet!
HuntersEmma57
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Volkl Mantras were my go to ski in the Mid-Atlantic. They were fabulous on the bulletproof and ungroomed stuff out there. They worked well on the hardpack and ungroomed-for-days groomers here in Utah, too. I beat mine to hell and back, as well.I completely agree, @HuntersEmma57 . A full custom assessment would be great to have, but it really does come at a price.
Honestly, I have found the folks at SkiEssentials to be the most helpful in performing at least a perfunctory assessment (something, as you note, not all ski shops will be able to do). I've asked detailed questions online on their reviews of skis that I find appealing and gotten cogent, helpful responses and suggestions. They've also been very helpful, patient, and engaged on the phone when I've had occasion to call them. Very knowledgeable about a great number of skis - not all, but many.
It is b/c of their reviews and assistance that I originally purchased the Volkl Blaze 86 in 2022. It has been the real foundation ski in my quiver ever since. In fact, I like it so much that I just replaced my (now beat to hell) 2022 with the 2026. I also bought the 2025 Blaze 94 last year for western trips. If I ever feel the need to have a powder ski I'll look further at the Blaze line.
Some day I might consider custom for skiing my mid-Atlantic home terrain & conditions since I know them so thoroughly. You are wise to point this out, I think. And . . . honestly . . . it would be tres cool to design my own top sheet.
GladeDuchess
Certified Ski Diva
Interesting thoughts here for sure, but makes me wonder if custom skis is a need to fill all roles or if it is more like golf clubs, where one gets custom ones, but still needs the whole set to match all conditions? This could certainly lead down a rabbit hole for a custom ski quiver!
I've seen the custom top sheets with pictures of pets and family, but never inquired with the owner as to who made them. I would have, but I see them on racks outside the lodge, not under their feet. I think this is sort of a fun idea and made me have thoughts of having a map of the ski hill printed on the skis so I did not have to pull out a map.
I've seen the custom top sheets with pictures of pets and family, but never inquired with the owner as to who made them. I would have, but I see them on racks outside the lodge, not under their feet. I think this is sort of a fun idea and made me have thoughts of having a map of the ski hill printed on the skis so I did not have to pull out a map.
AJM
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Introducing Kingswood Ski's made right here in NZ and whilst I have never bought a pair we do have a "family" pair sitting in amongst the "family" quiver that my son helped make a few years ago .... he outgrew them pretty quickly so now they're delegated to an emergency ski that DH takes out occasionally, usually at the end of the season when he's completely trashed his other ski's and we've run out of P Tex 
Super popular around the Clubbies (our local club run ski areas) as these ski's are built tough and they make a lot of guest appearances in Japan .
Super popular around the Clubbies (our local club run ski areas) as these ski's are built tough and they make a lot of guest appearances in Japan .
