Gear Review
Custom, handmade, and proudly produced in Colorado, Meier Skis has been gaining notable attention across the ski industry for its uniquely, sustainably built products. Designing and manufacturing hand-crafted, high-performance skis since 2009, its focus is driven not only by the desire to create unique skis but also to utilize sustainable material right outside their doors. While many ski companies strive to operate more eco-friendly, Meier Skis is successfully paving the way and setting a notable example.
First, let’s go back to where it all started — that’s right, you guessed it: a garage. While this may be the case for several companies in the industry, there is no denying the appeal of a humble beginning. Set in Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado, a ski junkie with an eye for fine craftmanship decided that instead of continuously searching for his “perfect ski,” he would build it himself. In his modest one-car garage, Matt Cudmore created his first pair of Meier Skis.
By 2011, Cudmore, an auto-cad designer at a civil engineering firm, was producing 20 pairs of skis a season by hand. Upon crossing paths with now partner Ted Eynon, who was conveniently soul searching and drawn to Colorado for the majestic mountains and appealing opportunity for the change he needed. Together, they turned the small, garage-manufactured operations into a small factory in Glenwood Springs.
In considering the options for the materials and overall design of the skis, Cudmore and Eynon were inspired to use sustainable materials, particularly natural wood. Being in Colorado, the clever entrepreneurs realized the surplus of aspens and beetle kill pines readily available to them and knew that by utilizing such materials, they would also be assisting with forest management. On the subject of product design, Cudmore said:
“The beetles have just come in and devastated the pine trees in Colorado, so we’re trying to recycle a lot of that wood and put it to good use. It’s super cool. You can go to Steamboat, be on top of the mountain, look over a couple of ranges, and that’s where the wood for the skis you’re standing on came from.”
Not only would they be creating highly specialized, fun skis, but they would also be providing jobs and helping the local economy. On top of using locally sourced dead trees, Meier Skis also uses a non-petrochemical resin made from pine oil and recycled vegetable oil. Additionally, they use a special heat-pressed ink on the top sheet rather than using highly toxic lacquers and inks for the ski graphics. So, if you want a sustainably built ski that you can customize on your own, leave the rest to Meier Skis. You will not be disappointed!
