SPORTEN - A TRADITIONAL SKI COMPANY

Sporten is a traditional ski company founded more than 100 years ago. At that time each pair of skis were made in small workshops by skilled craftsmen and each pair of skis were truly original.

Time has changed, but in Vysocine where Sporten still make their skis, many things are still the same. Sporten don’t go out and buy the cores for their skis like other manufacturers. Instead they go and buy trees direct from sustainable forests. They strip the bark and cut the wood into planks before storing it for three years outside to season correctly. Prior to production each plank is hand checked for shape and curvature before the final kiln drying process. Once a piece of wood enters the factory it is cut, finger grooved for strength then re-cut for shape and only then does it enter onto the production line.

Once the wooden core enters the production line it is added to a mixture of more modern components including ABS sidewalls, a structured top sheet, biaxial fibreglass wrap, titanal plate, anti-vibration ply, steel edges and sintered base. All these ingredients are inserted into a heavy-duty steel press and with great pressure compressed into a modern ski. The completed ski is then hand trimmed and flex tested to ensure the pair match before final waxing and packaging.

Sporten still make traditional hand crafted skis, but in a more modern way. if you would like any more information visit http://www.skiwear4less.com. MJ.

Should I buy or rent skis?

Rental means you are able to try out the latest skis, but you are going to pay for this privilege. Many rental rates in France and the USA are over £100 per week. Not cheap! Buying means the skis will probably last you about 15 to 20 weeks. You are soon able to work out why a busy ski rental shop owner, even after paying commission to the tour operator, is the wealthiest man in town.
The cost of new skis has fallen in recent years due to new discounters, like skiwear4less.com and Ski Warehouse retail shops. They now sell both Rossignol and Blizzard skis from £89.99 including bindings. It makes you wonder how the old boys like Snow and Rock and Ellis Brigham can charge over £600 for a sophisticated lump of wood!
If you have your own skis the two biggest enemies of them are rocks and rust. Rocks mean that the skis will need servicing, cost about £18 from The Ski Warehouse (branches in Tamworth, Castleford, Newcastle and Carlisle) or £25+ from Snow & Rock. Rust, or if your posh oxidisation, of the edges takes place for the simple reason that people leave wet skis in a nylon bag. After your holiday the best thing to do is thoroughly dry your skis, leaving them in an airing cupboard overnight even. Once dry, seal the edges using a cheap candle so no moisture can penetrate the edge and put them in a dry environment.
Before you go to ski again, simply rub off the excess wax and hey presto your whizzing down the slopes whilst others are queuing in the hire shop!