Latest models in the ski industry
In the market for a new pair of skis this year? If you want to get an idea of recent innovations and upcoming trends for the 2018/2019 season, the ISPO Awards are a great place to start. As the largest international trade fair for sporting goods and sports fashion, ISPO spotlighted some great new innovations in the market. There were models from well-known giants such as Völkl and Rossignol but also from some up-and-coming brands, including eco-friendly Grown Skis. You can choose whether to invest in a trusty pair of all-mountain skis, or indulge in more specialised models like slalom or freeride skis. Eye candy, coming your way!
ISPO (International Trade Fair for Sporting Goods and Sport Fashion) is a famous name in the sports world. Held annually in Munich, the trade fair strives to highlight important innovations within the industry. This year, in keeping with the trends, the ISPO awards mostly went to smaller, less well-known manufacturers who put the focus on forward-thinking trends such as environmental sustainability and artificial intelligence. Major manufacturers such as Salomon and Atomic were less successful at the ISPO Awards this year, but they still have cutting-edge technology on offer for the 2018/2019 ski season as well. Unless otherwise stated, the ski models on this list are expected to be available starting from autumn 2018.
Mod.7 © ORIGINAL+
All-mountain skis do exactly what they suggest: allow skiers to navigate a variety of terrain all across the mountain. The Mod. 7 skis from Original+ are built using artificial intelligence. Based on software that analyses biometric data, skiing style and terrain preference, Original+ creates skis that are unique to each individual.
Hero © Rossignol
Slalom skis are best suited to skiers who like to travel fast and maintain good control on the slopes. Rossignol’s Hero line uses World Cup technology to achieve a ski that runs smoothly even at extremely high speeds.
Delight Prime Light Shift © Elan
Elan’s Delight Prime Light Shift skis are the lightest women’s skis in the world. Elan relies on particularly thin SlimShape technology, with a Tubelite wooden core and carbon tubes. Weighing in at just 2580g, this ladies’ ski nevertheless performs well at higher speeds as well. The Elan Delight Prime Light Shift are already available for the 2017/2018 ski season.
Deacon 74 © Völkl
If you want a ski that can handle high speeds on groomed pistes but also moguls and a bit of powder, an all-mountain race ski is the perfect choice. Völkl’s new Deacon 74 skis will hit the shelves for the 2018/2019 ski season. This model draws on the same racing technology that the company used in their famous Racetiger skis. You’ll feel at ease on a variety of terrain with these versatile all-rounders.
The Eagle © Moonlight Mountain Gear
Moonlight Mountain Gear is poised to launch a light freeride ski this coming season, weighing only 1400g with a turning radius of 20m. Despite being best suited to powder, special technology ensures that the Eagle will also perform well on hard, icy pistes. Get this ski, if only for the eye-catching eagle design!
Redster X © Atomic
Atomic continues to rely on Servotec technology but has unveiled a new colour scheme this year. The new Redster X, which will be available for the upcoming 2018/2019 ski season, comes with a multi-radius sidecut. This means the ski should perform well in short slalom turns as well as in sweeping giant slalom turns: the ideal flexible companion for daily use on the slopes.
MonViso © Grown Skis
Grown is putting the focus back on renewable materials, hoping to raise the issue of environmental sustainability in the ski industry. With a sandwich core made from 100% hemp fibre-Paulownia wood, Grown’s MonViso skis have a reduced eco-footprint of about 47% compared to traditional skis, helping protect the beautiful mountains we all love! Their Overgrown ski is suited as an all-mountain ski but is especially good for ski touring as it’s so light. The MonViso skis were awarded an ISPO Award this year in Munich.
If you’re lusting after all of them and can’t make your mind up which pair to grab, the ISPO models will be available for testing starting from the end of the current ski season. From March 18-24 Obertauern will hold a “ski testival”, as will Kitzsteinhorn on April 28-29 in honour of its Glacier Spring Festival. Skis will be available for purchase starting in autumn 2018.
Latest models in the ski industry
In the market for a new pair of skis this year? If you want to get an idea of recent innovations and upcoming trends for the 2018/2019 season, the ISPO Awards are a great place to start. As the largest international trade fair for sporting goods and sports fashion, ISPO spotlighted some great new innovations in the market. There were models from well-known giants such as Völkl and Rossignol but also from some up-and-coming brands, including eco-friendly Grown Skis. You can choose whether to invest in a trusty pair of all-mountain skis, or indulge in more specialised models like slalom or freeride skis. Eye candy, coming your way!
ISPO (International Trade Fair for Sporting Goods and Sport Fashion) is a famous name in the sports world. Held annually in Munich, the trade fair strives to highlight important innovations within the industry. This year, in keeping with the trends, the ISPO awards mostly went to smaller, less well-known manufacturers who put the focus on forward-thinking trends such as environmental sustainability and artificial intelligence. Major manufacturers such as Salomon and Atomic were less successful at the ISPO Awards this year, but they still have cutting-edge technology on offer for the 2018/2019 ski season as well. Unless otherwise stated, the ski models on this list are expected to be available starting from autumn 2018.
Mod.7 © ORIGINAL+
All-mountain skis do exactly what they suggest: allow skiers to navigate a variety of terrain all across the mountain. The Mod. 7 skis from Original+ are built using artificial intelligence. Based on software that analyses biometric data, skiing style and terrain preference, Original+ creates skis that are unique to each individual.
Hero © Rossignol
Slalom skis are best suited to skiers who like to travel fast and maintain good control on the slopes. Rossignol’s Hero line uses World Cup technology to achieve a ski that runs smoothly even at extremely high speeds.
Delight Prime Light Shift © Elan
Elan’s Delight Prime Light Shift skis are the lightest women’s skis in the world. Elan relies on particularly thin SlimShape technology, with a Tubelite wooden core and carbon tubes. Weighing in at just 2580g, this ladies’ ski nevertheless performs well at higher speeds as well. The Elan Delight Prime Light Shift are already available for the 2017/2018 ski season.
Deacon 74 © Völkl
If you want a ski that can handle high speeds on groomed pistes but also moguls and a bit of powder, an all-mountain race ski is the perfect choice. Völkl’s new Deacon 74 skis will hit the shelves for the 2018/2019 ski season. This model draws on the same racing technology that the company used in their famous Racetiger skis. You’ll feel at ease on a variety of terrain with these versatile all-rounders.
The Eagle © Moonlight Mountain Gear
Moonlight Mountain Gear is poised to launch a light freeride ski this coming season, weighing only 1400g with a turning radius of 20m. Despite being best suited to powder, special technology ensures that the Eagle will also perform well on hard, icy pistes. Get this ski, if only for the eye-catching eagle design!
Redster X © Atomic
Atomic continues to rely on Servotec technology but has unveiled a new colour scheme this year. The new Redster X, which will be available for the upcoming 2018/2019 ski season, comes with a multi-radius sidecut. This means the ski should perform well in short slalom turns as well as in sweeping giant slalom turns: the ideal flexible companion for daily use on the slopes.
MonViso © Grown Skis
Grown is putting the focus back on renewable materials, hoping to raise the issue of environmental sustainability in the ski industry. With a sandwich core made from 100% hemp fibre-Paulownia wood, Grown’s MonViso skis have a reduced eco-footprint of about 47% compared to traditional skis, helping protect the beautiful mountains we all love! Their Overgrown ski is suited as an all-mountain ski but is especially good for ski touring as it’s so light. The MonViso skis were awarded an ISPO Award this year in Munich.
If you’re lusting after all of them and can’t make your mind up which pair to grab, the ISPO models will be available for testing starting from the end of the current ski season. From March 18-24 Obertauern will hold a “ski testival”, as will Kitzsteinhorn on April 28-29 in honour of its Glacier Spring Festival. Skis will be available for purchase starting in autumn 2018.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
