Wood Sidewalls

We are on a continual push to find more ways to maximize the use of renewable materials in our skis without sacrificing their durability. One unique feature of our construction is the sidewalls. All of our skis are built with high-density Maple or Birch sidewalls. When treated with our natural linseed oil mixture, they form a highly water resistant structure. Hardy properties make them an excellent choice for lightweight, durable sidewalls with exceptional energy transfer and edge feel. 

Although it might sound unusual to have exposed wood on skis, the reason why it works is that the oil  prevents water from penetrating into the wood while allowing moisture to dry freely. Unlike the traditional plastic construction where if the water finds the way to wood core it starts to rot as the water has no way to dry.

We have used wood sidewalls since the beginning and concluded that the best way to maintain them is to treat them with Paraffin oil. It is easy to reapply and brings out the grain in the wood making them look like new every time the oil is applied. Paraffin oil can be found at the majority of hardware stores and you can get it from us too. 

Our recommended maintenance is pretty minimal. This can be done only once in 2-3 seasons, or less often. It is not a thing to worry about. Of course doing this more often won’t cause any harm, especially if skis are being used a lot in wet conditions. The most important thing is to dry skis indoors after a day of skiing. We have some skis with sidewalls that haven’t been maintenanced for many winters and they are still in great condition. Wood is tougher than you think!

Simple instructions to mainenancing your sidewalls

  1. Keep skis indoors until they are dry
  2. Apply paraffin oil with paper or cloth
  3. Let the sidewalls to dry for 10 minutes or more
  4. Clean off excess oil and you are ready!