Here is a breakdown of what I’ve found to be the most sustainable ski manufacturers for the 2021-22 season. While there are a number of the industry’s largest players that have made admirable sustainability commitments, these folks have it in their DNA.
WNDR Alpine
Some folks pull from a quiver, some invent a crossbow. This crew is taking sustainability to the next level by not just incorporating available eco-friendly technologies, but going to the lab and creating their skis from plastic grown from algae. Yes, friggin’ algae. As we’ve all seen beer cups made from corn plastic, it’s known that plastic can be made from more than just petroleum. WNDR is actually the consumer brand of materials lab Checkerspot, which is developing new eco-friendly products throughout the industry.
In full transparency, I purchased a pair of the Vital 100 skis last year after visiting their facility in Salt Lake City, then took them up on their offer of a group intro to backcountry avalanche safety course they included for free with the purchase. They’re an amazing group of folks who are passionate about what they do, and I absolutely love my skis.
WNDR Alpine
Some folks pull from a quiver, some invent a crossbow. This crew is taking sustainability to the next level by not just incorporating available eco-friendly technologies, but going to the lab and creating their skis from plastic grown from algae. Yes, friggin’ algae. As we’ve all seen beer cups made from corn plastic, it’s known that plastic can be made from more than just petroleum. WNDR is actually the consumer brand of materials lab Checkerspot, which is developing new eco-friendly products throughout the industry.
- They are also a certified B Corp, meaning they voluntarily open themselves up to auditing by an outside entity
- Commitment to pay a living wage
- Flexible time off to enjoy the mountains, and free backcountry safety programs
- Supports the community through local organizations like Wasatch Backcountry Rescue and the Utah Avalanche Center
- 100% renewable energy with gas captured from farms, organic matter and landfills, while 100% of electricity comes from solar
- Postproduction materials like rubber and sawdust are recycled or repurposed so there is as little waste as possible
- Skis are packaged in craft paper instead of plastic, shipped in boxes from mostly recycled content, sealed with craft tape instead of plastic tape, and shipped carbon neutral.
In full transparency, I purchased a pair of the Vital 100 skis last year after visiting their facility in Salt Lake City, then took them up on their offer of a group intro to backcountry avalanche safety course they included for free with the purchase. They’re an amazing group of folks who are passionate about what they do, and I absolutely love my skis.
With the legendary Pep Fujas at the WNDR facility in Salt Lake City.
To purchase visit their website here: https://wndr-alpine.com/collections/shop
Find a local shop here: https://wndr-alpine.com/apps/store-locator
Lib Tech
Lib Tech skis from Mervin Manufacturing in Washington starts off their environmental statement with something that gets lost in the eco-friendly talk about materials and its effect on the planet: “Mervin uses better manufacturing practices that both protect the health of the Kraftsmen, but also that of the planet, leaving zero hazardous waste behind in production.” People always talk about how toxic materials have an effect on the environment, but we forget that there’s actually people working in factories all over the world producing the products we buy that breathe in nasty chemicals every day they go to work.
To purchase visit their website here: https://www.lib-tech.com/ski
Find a local shop here: https://www.lib-tech.com/find-a-dealer
Meier Skis
Started in Glenwood Springs, CO and transitioned to Denver, Meier Skis was founded on using local wood and beetle-kill trees that have become all too common in the mountain west. And instead of just opening a standard factory, they’ve combined their production facility with a brewery into what they call a “craft skiery” where you can grab a beer and watch skis be made by hand.
To purchase visit their website here: https://meierskis.com/collections/2021-skis
Find a local shop here: https://meierskis.com/pages/buy-or-demo-meier-skis
Find a local shop here: https://wndr-alpine.com/apps/store-locator
Lib Tech
Lib Tech skis from Mervin Manufacturing in Washington starts off their environmental statement with something that gets lost in the eco-friendly talk about materials and its effect on the planet: “Mervin uses better manufacturing practices that both protect the health of the Kraftsmen, but also that of the planet, leaving zero hazardous waste behind in production.” People always talk about how toxic materials have an effect on the environment, but we forget that there’s actually people working in factories all over the world producing the products we buy that breathe in nasty chemicals every day they go to work.
- Made in the USA: Made here, sold here, slayed here. Less transportation = less greenhouse gases = less climate change
- No hazardous waste: low VOC lacquers, water-based sublimation graphics
- Vegetable oil based plastics
- Wood cores from fast-growing farmed sources
- Recycled content UHMW sidewalls
- Surfboard Eco Iso process limits exposure to resin, low-VOC resin
- 89% of power comes from wind or water
- Seattle office has a green roof, daylighting, and motion sensors to save energy
- Low waste:
- Sublimation process means tops can be recycled
- Tape, cardboard recycled
- Sawdust from cores is composted into soil, then used to grow food
- Sublimation process means tops can be recycled
To purchase visit their website here: https://www.lib-tech.com/ski
Find a local shop here: https://www.lib-tech.com/find-a-dealer
Meier Skis
Started in Glenwood Springs, CO and transitioned to Denver, Meier Skis was founded on using local wood and beetle-kill trees that have become all too common in the mountain west. And instead of just opening a standard factory, they’ve combined their production facility with a brewery into what they call a “craft skiery” where you can grab a beer and watch skis be made by hand.
- Local trees
- Super Sap plant-based non-toxic epoxy
- Sublimated topsheet uses less ink, less paper and no toxic chemicals
- Reuse sublimated topsheet paper to pack skis for shipping
- Purchase local when possible
- Fundraising for local nonprofits
To purchase visit their website here: https://meierskis.com/collections/2021-skis
Find a local shop here: https://meierskis.com/pages/buy-or-demo-meier-skis
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