Storm Skis Review: 2009-2010 Inferno Lab Carver

freestyler01 wrote:Have any of you tested any of Storms skis? I am based in Verbier and have seen loads starting to appear and they look and ski sick. What a first year statement by a young group of guys. Surely we have to take our hats off to them for stepping it up and doing something new and brave?

Here are my reviews:

http://www.exoticskis.com/forum/default.aspx?g=topics&f=38

freestyler01 wrote:Have any of you tested any of Storms skis? I am based in Verbier and have seen loads starting to appear and they look and ski sick. What a first year statement by a young group of guys. Surely we have to take our hats off to them for stepping it up and doing something new and brave?

Ok, I've taken off my grumpy old man's hat and I've read everything that I can find about these skis and other new skis by small manufacturers and I'm left with one question:

Whilst I admire what they are trying to do and I wish them luck, what is it that makes their skis in any way different or better than the more established makers skis?

Judging by freestyler01's use of language we may not have much in common ) but what is new or brave (anymore than any new business is 'brave') about what this manufacturer is doing?

For me, the appeal of a small manufacturer is the knowledge of giving my money to a small, close-knit group of people who probably have a passion about making skis the way they want to. We have choices of giving our hard-earned money to large corporations (who make some excellent skis - don't get me wrong) or small companies. With a small company, you can probably call them up or email them and talk to the person who knows all about the design of your ski and maybe even the people who got dirty making the skis themselves. If you give your money to big companies, families get income. If you give your money to small companies, families get income. Either way, you get skis and people get paid. For me, it's more fun to pay a small group of people some money for some toys than to pay a huge corporate entity for toys.

As far as "better skis" goes...I don't think small ski builders necessarily build better skis, or even dramatically "different" skis in most cases. They may have some design differences and graphic differences, but most skis these days work pretty well, no matter who makes them. It's like shoes or wine. The more variety, the more chance you will find just the right model to make you happy for your purposes. The difference can often be seen in the dedication and pride the small builders take in designing their product and bringing it to market (whether they press them in their own shop or pay some experienced artisans in a well-equipped workshop to construct their designs for them).

Very interesting point about what are smaller brands doing different. Great answer also from the guys at exotic who clearly have way more knowledge and experience of this side of the ski industry then most.

My view very closely follows on with Exotics. It is facinating to see how such small brands can deliver strong products and with a far higher level of customer service. Attention to detail and their love for the sport clearly comes at the top of their list of priorities.

In the case of Storm having tested several of their products now. They have not tried to get clever for clever sake. They use nice and simple shapes with clean lines and solid wood materials which are required to build skis that will last. They have even according to Andy who I met in person forgone fashion for function with certain aspects. All Storms skis for example have black very high grade race bases which will last longer and run better then all the crazy fluro stuff out there.

I have met Andy and a few of the other guys now who are behind the running of Storm. They are all such friendly fun and cool young guys who are just trying to make a bit of a living from a life passion on theirs....so in my mind they deserve to succeed! I for one will certainly support their corner and would rather buy from them then a bigger ski building giant. When do we ever see the boss of Salamon or Rossi going out to public tests or to retailers to see how to develop their products or customer relations? From the dealings we have in the shops here,these bigger brands deliver an order at the start of each season and we are lucky to see or hear from the rep then until it is time to place an order for the following year. This is a poor show in my mind? Andy has been into our shop as have several of the Storm team riders just to come and say hi and to chat about skiing and how the testing is going and about what is taking place. So as a retailer if you want a good level of follow service I am seeing that the smaller brands such as Storm offer way more and certainly are more fun to deal with.

What also struck me as different with the boys who I have met at Storm is how they are developing a team of people who just love the sport and want to have fun. It is not about a big ego trip and who can sell the most skis. They don't have any massive names or rockstar people on their books from what I have seen and so their marketing and structure is just based on being able to build good skis and good relationships with people on a very personal level.

All I can say to conclude is just if you get the chance check them out and give them a try. I think you might be very suprised in a refreshing way. keep up the good work also at exotic skis for bringing such brands to the publics attention. As it makes our world a more interesting place!

freestyler, for the record and before you judge me, I spent my time in the alps this season on a pair of Whitedots skis and have three pairs (I am hopeful) being delivered around October time. I also have some Vists and Armada (are they small? probably not but you can still ring up Armada and get a voice on the phone). I am all for supporting the little dude :wink:

In saying that I have enjoyed skis from the big manufacturers too.

The notion that the people who design skis for mainstream manufacturers do not also have dedication and take pride in what they do seems bizarre to me.

freestyler01 wrote:
From the dealings we have in the shops here,these bigger brands deliver an order at the start of each season and we are lucky to see or hear from the rep then until it is time to place an order for the following year.

I don't know where you are or what manufacturers you are referring to but the key word in your sentence is 'rep'

Most ski shops deal with a rep who works for an importer who buys from a manufacturer. The ability (or lack of) of a rep tells you nothing about the passion and flair that may or may not go in to making the skis. If a small company is successful they will need to employ reps at some point, will this change the vision and dedication of the makers and designers?

As for having an input into the ski design - I've skied all my life, 320 weeks or so and any ski maker that needs input from me to make his skis better isn't someone I want to buy skis from. :D

I asked what these small ski makers were doing that made their skis different or better than the established makers .... All I've heard is the standard differences between a big company and a small one.

As I've said, I admire what they are doing and I wish them luck and if you want to buy their skis simply because they are from small companies thats great but if you want to say that their skis are better or that they are doing something innovative then please give some examples.

I know with snowboards, the small companies offer a lot more. With Donek and Prior (who both make skis as well),even buying their off the shelf models, it's possible to call the owner and get advice on what would best meet your needs. Custom builds don't cost a lot more, so you are not stuck with a longer length to get a stiffer flex for example. It's even possible to get things like camber and taper to your specs, as well as your own graphics.

A friend of mine just got this from Coiler with a top sheet he designed himself. Full titenal sheet and the decambered nose adds 4/5 cm to the effective edge.



Trencher

I'd be the first to admit that I know nothing about snowboards but I see your point about graphics though, Trencher. I hadn't considered that side of things, it stands to reason though that a small independent may be able to offer a lot of flexibility there.

Still waiting to hear about these technical innovations though )

I got talking to one of our ski reps today [on his yearly visit ) ] and the subject of small independents came up. He played me a podcast of a Scottish outdoor radio show (can't remember the name) which included an interview with Andrew Phyn from WhiteDot Freeride. Rarely have I heard such marketing speak used in a ski context.... at least they have their own molds though :D