swiss massiv skis are created in the heart of Switzerland. They are the outcome of a long-time passion and quest for precision crafting of a highly complex design product. The result is an unequalled and timeless design of uncompromising quality, incorporating leading, state-of-the-art technology – a ski that performs with a supremely comfortable glide that is both smooth and dynamic.
"I don’t simply buy wood to make my skis. I buy a tree, because the character of the skis starts with a tree."
René Unternährer
In order to maintain the best possible glide for all types of snow, we use high quality Isospeed Nano Highspeed bases.
A tool, developed by swiss massiv, is used to punch small holes into the rubber sheet. The rubber sheet layers help distributing elasticity in an even manner and add to the strength of gluing process, which combines the different materials of each layer together.
The natural wood grain of the top sheet of each ski, gives them all a unique look.
The edges use in swiss massiv skis have a 48° Rockwell hardness. We only use serrated edges for stronger anchoring with the body of the ski.
The process of creating swiss massiv skis is primarily done through manual work, such as the fitting of the edges.
Die gefrästen Skibauteile werden im sogenannten Sandwichverfahren miteinander verleimt. Hierbei werden alle Bauteile einzeln mit 2-Komponenten-Epoxidharz eingestrichen, in einer Form (Skikassette) schichtweise aufeinandergelegt und später gepresst.
A pair of swiss massiv skis consists of some 30 individual parts. Building them is done in a process of almost 50 work steps which take about nine hours of labor. Together with all the waiting periods for drying, a pair of skis takes about three weeks to produce.
swiss massiv uses Paulowina as a solid timber at its core, as well as elmwood veneer and fiber bamboo side walls.
Based on the body weight of the customer, the core of the skis is sanded down to a different thickness to adjust the stiffness of the skis. Because of this adjustment the edge grip is evenly distributed to the whole length of the ski.
With a long experience of building skis in Switzerland, we look at each detail in the tradition of Swiss perfection and precision.
Once all the layers are assembled, the skis are pressed into form over 90 minutes using approximately 28 tons or weight. The newly pressed skis are then let to cool, dry and settle for a few days.
Bamboo has long fiber and its hardness is excellent to transmit pressure directly to the ski edges. It also adapts well to cold temperatures. swiss massiv side walls are a trapeze shape giving a tapered edge and therefore thicker on the lower end.
Few skis have an metal upper edge. This important element to protect the wooden upper surface of the ski was done traditionally and phased out with mass production.
The wood veneer is cut down to the Titanal aluminium layer with a digitally controlled engraver. The result is a strong, distinctive three-dimensional design.
The edges are sharpened manually to an 88° angle. This contributes significantly to the handling of the skis in the snow.
Edges and base are pre-ground by hand for the finish. This is done based on years of experience rather than by a computer program. A well ground base and edges determine the skis’ glide and turning.
Every pair of skis has its unique serial number engraved in stainless steel at the back.