VIICE skis where born and are built in the Wasatch where snow conditions can change several times in one day or even several times in one run.
A word about materials...
Most boutique ski companies claim to use the “highest quality materials”: Great wood, burly edges, thick fast bases. We use that same “stuff”.... However, we like to think
we put it together better.
- THE CORE: The heart of the ski. The core of a VIICE ski is produced through a highly refined computer numerical controlled process that attaches the sidewall prior to machining. Thus the core, sidewall and tip and tail fill are formed and profiled all at the same time. Why? So all the parts fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. No gaps! The core is made from vertically laminated 1 inch strips of poplar with two maple stringers and runs from within one inch of the tip of the to one inch of the tail.
- THE SIDEWALL: If we use the same side wall material as most of the other ski companies what is different? The method used to attach the side wall to the core, and the fact the side wall also runs from tip to tale. Side walls are “flamed” by hand AT THE TIME OF CONSTRUCTION. Why? To prevent gaps. We believe that the best way to build skis is with a full sidewall. Why? Better edge grip on hard snow.
- THE BASE: Each base is hand cut and trimmed for each pair of skis AT THE TIME OF CONSTRUCCTION. Base material is subject to change with temperature. With no precut bases there is not base shrinkage and thus, no gaps between the edges and the base.
- THE EDGES: As with the base the edges are precisely bent at the time of construction to fit the mold and snap together with all of the other parts of the ski. So again. No gaps.
- FOIL TAPE: This is a “rubber” tape that is used to help the bonding process and to give the “dampening” that allow VIICE skis to absorb the shocks produced when skiing though, chowder, crud, broken Sierra Cement and moguls. The more tape in the ski the better the ride.
- GAPS: Why are we so concerned with gaps? Gaps are spaces within the ski that during the molding process fill with resin. As the resin hardens it will expand and “push” against other parts of the ski causing internal pressures that can, over time cause delaminating or “edge pops”.
- CONSTRUCTION TYPE: VIICE skis are built with the “fiberglass sandwich” process.
Each pair is meticulously assembled by Scott Berry, start to finish, one pair at a time. Scott began building skis while still in High School and has continued to refine his skills over the past 18 years. He is the designer, the builder, and the initial tester. A master at the craft, he is...
the man behind the mask.
