Ski Making
Do you want to build your own skis?
My friend asked me this question and my first thought was, hell yeah!
I was very enthusiastic and wanted to learn the very tool that allows me to glide through snow.
The craft of ski and snowboard-making has evolved a lot over the years, in terms of design and manufacturing. There are already tried and tested ski designs, mass produced by companies, large and small, which has allowed the sport to be accessible to many people all over the world.
I’ve always been a fan of DIY and building things for yourself puts more value to the items you create. So I jumped on this wild ride (biting more than I could chew) but finally created a ski that will be my partner in crime for many years to come.
The Craft of Garage Build Skis
Wakka Kuraft is a wood workshop by Shingo Ihara that specializes in ski or snowboard making. After many years of learning from skilled Japanese ski-builders, he started a Garage-builder’s Workshop to Ski-Making, sharing his passion and love for the craft.
It’s a unique opportunity not only to learn the technical side but also to create your own with his guidance. If you’re up for the challenge, it will be a memorable experience.
There are many courses depending on the skill level needed and you can select the best match for you. In my case, I went with the full-build course because I wanted to go through the entire process. Normally it would take 6 days of workload and you can consult beforehand to match your schedule.
This will be a long process so I’ll break it down into a couple of parts.
Part Two: Building the Master Outline and Press Molds
Part Three: Learning About Core Materials
Part Four: Sliding Surface and Edges
Part Five: The Tip and Tail
Part Six: Top Sheet Design
Part Seven: The Assembly and Molding
Part Eight: Deburring and Finishing
Part Nine: Testing on the Snow
