Custom Ski Order Information

 



  HOW TO CUSTOM ORDER SKIS

Step One: Ski Choice

First, select a ski model from our lineup.  We have 21 different ski models for you to select from.   From backcountry touring to resort all mountain carvers to powder specific fatties, we have a ski for you.  Once you have decided on the best ski shape and length you can start customizing your new ski to fit you personally.

 

Step Two: Ski Flex

Next decide the best flex option for you.

Flex Options

We have five options to select from for your custom skis flex.    #1 flex is our softest flex and compares with the softer skis that you will find in the industry, the #5 flex is our stiffest flex and compares with the stiffest race flex skis in the industry.   For reference the product description on each custom ski model states what flex we make for the standard edition of that ski.   

Why customize the ski flex?  Not all skiers are the same weight nor do they create the same demands from their skis.   By customizing the flex of our skis we are able to better fit each of our ski models for the skier and what the skier plans to do with the skis.  Customization of the flex can be done for a variety of reasons, creating a better fit to the skier’s weight, ability level, and personal preferences.   

Here are some general guidelines on determining the best flex option and information on how adjusting the flex is going to affect the skis performance. 

A softer ski will initiate turns easier at a lower speed.   So this can translate into a more playful less aggressive ski.   A stiffer ski will need more energy or speed to initiate turns so this can be more demanding and more aggressive of a ski.

Softer skis will bend more and therefore float to the surface of powder quicker especially notable at lower speeds.  The softer ski however will tend to over bend and be less stable when trying to push snow around or ski aggressively.  Therefore a stiffer ski will bash through powder crud better and a softer ski will milk deep powder turns with ease.

Skier’s weight is also a big factor in determining the ideal ski flex.  Here is a general guideline for skier weight and flex options. 

 #1 Flex – Under 125lbs           #2 Flex – 75-175lbs     #3 Flex – 125lbs – 225lbs #4 Flex – 150 lbs – 250 lbs      #5 Flex – 150 lbs and up

These weights are only a general guideline to get started.  Personal preference and your specific goals and plans for the ski would also be a factor.   If you are considering a ski flex and outside these weight guidelines we should discus and confirm that it is the best option.

Ability level is another big factor in determining the best flex.  Generally a level two or three skier is going to want and be better served with a stiffer ski.   A beginner or intermediate skier is going to have a better learning experience and progression on a softer ski. 

Personal preference will also be a factor, for example some skiers will want strong edge hold, powerful ski, and ability to really drive and push a ski through a turn, and therefore want a stiffer flex.   Whereas another skier might be a level three skier but prefer to be able to bend and butter the ski to better fit their personal skiing style.

Note that changing the flex on your custom ski will change the weight of the ski.  Softer skis are lighter.   As you select your flex options the weight estimator at the top of the product page will update. 

Feel free to contact us to discuss any questions and determine the best flex option for your custom ski

Step Three: Graphic Art

Select your topsheet graphic from our library of options for no extra charge.   Or go with a full custom graphic and put your own artwork or pictures on your skis.   Contact us for more information on formatting custom graphics. 

Topsheet Graphic Library 

Above the CloudsAbove the Clouds  abominable ski graphic Abominable AbstractAbstract AbyssAbyss Alibi Ale custom ski graphicAlibi Ale Alpenglow ski graphicAlpenglow AncientAncient Arctic 1 ski graphicArctic 1 Arctic 2 ski graphicArctic 2 black-circles.jpgBlack CirclesBlobsBlobs Blue Gorge ski graphicBlue Gorge Bucks BeachBucks Beach Calla LilyCalla Lily Calligrifade ski graphicCalligrifade Cherry Wood GrainCherry Grain Cold SmokeCold Smoke Constellation ski graphicConstellation Crest ski graphicCrest Crystals ski graphicCrystals Cubes Ski graphicCubes   Dimension ski graphicDimension Dino ski graphicDino Dirt and Sky ski graphicDirt and Sky DixieDixie DragonDragon Drip ski graphicDrip east-shore-web-small.jpgEast Shore Eel Groto Eel Groto Elemental ski graphicElemental elevate ski graphicElevate FeastFeast final-frontier ski graphicFinal Frontier ForestForest FungiFungi FunkadelicFunkadelic Great Pacific OctopusGiant Pacific Octopus Golden Trout Ski GraphicGolden Trout grim ski graphicGrimHeadwall Ski graphicHeadwall Hex Ski graphicHex Ibex Ski GraphicIbex Icebergs custom ski graphicIcebergs Jamaican Lion custom ski graphicJamaican Lion Junk WoodJunk Wood KrakenKraken george-lightdark-l.jpgLight Dark Logo Art ski graphicLogo Art Loose Ski graphicLoose MandalaMandala Maple ski graphicMaple Max ski graphicMax maze-blue-thumb.jpgMaze Blue maze-green-thumb.jpgMaze Green maze-orange-thumb.jpgMaze OrangeModern GraffitiModern Graffiti Mountain-Glow ski graphicMountain Glowmountain-spring ski graphicMountain SpringMountain Sunrise ski graphicMountain Sunrise Mr. Clawhand ski graphicMr. ClawhandMystic MountainMystic Mountain Navajo Ski graphicNavajoNeighborhood WatchNeighborhood Watch george-no6.jpgNo6 NorwayNorway NovaNova nukin ski graphicNukingeorge-o.jpgOOld GrowthOld Growth ParadiseParadise Peacock custom ski graphicPeacock Knotty PinePine Pompei custom ski graphicPompei Powdah-Snek-BlackPowdaw Snek Black Powdah-Snek-WhitePowdah Snek White Powder Eagle custom ski graphicPowder Eagle Praxis 51 ski graphicPraxis 51 Praxis Camo custom ski graphicPraxis Camo Praxis TattooPraxis Tattoo Psychedelic RockPsychedelic Rock QuartzQuartzReindeerReindeer mark-rastaman.jpgRastaman Redwood SurfRedwood Surf reflectionReflection RoamRoam RootsRoots Screaming BearScreaming Bear ScubaScuba Shipwrecked ColorShipwrecked color Shipwrecked WhiteShipwrecked white Shrooms - custom ski graphicShrooms Sister-TheresaSister Theresa Sister-TheresaSister Theresa skull-island ski graphicSkull Island Sliced ski graphicSliced snorkel babe ski graphicSnorkel BabeSnowflakesSnowflakeSnowfallSnowfallSpaceliftSpaceliftSpeedSpeedStained Glass MTNStained Glass MTNStained Glass TreesStained Glass Trees Star-StreaksStar Streaks StationStation SunriseSunriseSurf TripSurf TripTahoe PierTahoe PierProtest TattooTattoo Art CircusConcept TattooTattoo Art Evolution The LocalThe Local The ProtestThe ProtestTopo MapTopo MapTranquilityTranquility TreesTreesTsunamiTsunamiVastVastViceversaViceversaVintageVintagesean-praxisdesign3.jpgWallWaterfallWaterfall Watershed ski graphicWatershed WinterWinter WiseWise Wolf ski graphicWolfwooden-design-blue-thumb-rgb.jpgWooden Bluewooden-design-pink-thumb-rgb.jpgWooden Pinkgeorge-x.jpgXYetiYeti


 

 Step Four: Topsheet Material

Standard Nylon Top Or Digitally Stained Wood Veneer?

The industry and our standard option for applying the graphic to the top of your skis is to print the graphics to a plastic (nylon) material and use that for the top layer of the skis.  This method offers an outstanding image quality with very vibrant detail and allows for all of our graphics in the library to be easily applied to your custom skis. 

However, we have another option for your custom skis and it has become a favorite at the factory: digitally stained wood veneer tops. Any of the graphics from our library can be digitally stained onto a real wood veneer sheet.   Create a one of a kind custom look pairing the unique wood grain and artwork.    The wood veneer tops have proven to be a durable asset to the skis construction and performance.   By utilizing a wood veneer top in the skis construction we are able to build a lighter ski, saving 4-8 oz on a pair of skis compared to using a traditional nylon top. Additionally the wood veneer tops create a damp and lively ride enhancing the skis performance and feel. 

Each sheet of wood veneer that we offer has its own unique grain and a look.  These are real wood veneer tops and no two sheets are the same.   You have the option to select from several different species of wood, each species has its own character, grain, and look. The photos below give a general idea of how each type of wood will look, but do not show the actual veneers being offered.  Additionally we have links below to photo albums of finished skis and the veneers used.  

Combining the correct wood veneer and graphic is an important part of this customization.  Please contact us with any question or advice.   Note that the graphics will be blended with the color and wood grain of the veneer.  Areas of the graphic art that are white will not print and therefore only show the wood grain.  Some combos of art and veneer work better, we have found the art that is not full graphic saturation showcase both the wood veneer and graphic best.  Feel free to contact us with any questions, we are happy to help guide you to the best looking veneer and art combo. 

 Click here for a look at some of the different wood veneer graphic combos that we made this past year.

Take a look at our digitally stained veneers photo album on Facebook. 

Step Five: Core 

Select a core design for your skis. 

At Praxis Skis we use hard maple, ash, aspen and paulownia in our cores. We use each wood for a specific purpose. The hard maple is used in the binding mount area because it offers superior screw retention and provides a strong durable mounting zone. We use ash for its stiffness, strength, pop, and vibration damping. Aspen is use for its light weight, stiffness and strength.  Paulownia is used in our cores for its superior weight as well as an alternative density dampening agent to the harder ash and maple.   Across the Praxis lineup you will see these core materials being offered in a few different options/blends.

Enduro Core: This is our most widely used core option.   The ideal blend of maple, ash, and aspen for many of our skis models.  In our Enduro core the center and perimeter of the core is made from ash, the binding area is constructed of maple and the remainder of the core is made up of aspen.    We have engineered the enduro core to be the best blend of hardwoods for strength, weight, dampening and performance.

*The Enduro Core can also be made with a fiberglass and carbon fiber layup (Enduro Carbon). By replacing some of the fiberglass composite with carbon fiber in the layup we are able to build a lighter ski per the same flex stiffness (about 3oz lighter).  The carbon fiber also returns to shape faster and therefore provides a livelier feel; some refer to as more pop.

Heavy Hitter Core:  Blending our two favorite hardwoods into our burly maple and ash core provides for a powerful, damp, hard charging ski.    Using only the denser hardwoods creates a heavy but stable ski ready to take big air or straight line through a field of bumps and crud.    In the Praxis lineup we use the maple and ash core on our smaller underfoot piste orientated skis.    For your custom ski this is a great option to consider for a hard charging ski, but beware of the extra weight when using only maple and ash on the fatter powder specific skis.  

*The Heavy Core can also be made with carbon fiber in the layup (Heavy Carbon).  By replacing some of the fiberglass composite with carbon fiber in the layup we are able to build a lighter ski per the same flex stiffness (about 3oz lighter).  The carbon fiber also returns to shape faster and therefore provides a livelier feel; some refer to as more pop. 

Ultra Light Core:  Using a blend of mostly lightweight paulownia we are able to build some of the lightest skis offered in the industry. The UL core uses a limited amount of maple and ash only in the center of the ski (binding area) and the remainder of the core is lightweight paulownia.  The UL core comes with a fiberglass/carbon fiber composite to keep the ride stiff and light. The UL core is ideal for touring skis and those looking to keep what’s on their feet as light as possible.   To achieve the lightest weight ski select the ultra light core and a veneer top.

 

Additional Options: Width and Molding

Take your custom build to the next level of customization by adjusting the width of a ski model or the camber and rocker profile of your custom skis.  These options are more advanced and typically utilized by the skier that has experience with our ski builds and knows exactly how they want to dial in the ride. 

How fat or skinny should your skis be? You decide!

Have you ever considered one of our ski models but wished it was 10 mm fatter or skinnier? This has been one of our most requested customization, and we decided it would be a great addition to our custom ski menu.  Think of the possibilities!  How about a fat GPO! Or a narrow RX! We look forward to exploring the Praxis Lineup with this new ability to customize our tried and true shapes. 

The size offset will make for a 10 mm fatter or skinnier version of the original model. All dimensions (tip, mid, tail) will be changed and the length of the ski will be 1 cm shorter or longer.  For example a 182 GPO sized down skinnier will become a 181 cm and the dimensions will be 130-106-118.  And if you were to size the 182 GPO up fatter it would be 183 cm and the dimensions will be 150-126-138

Rocker - Camber - Tip and Tail Rise?

Have you been looking at one of our ski models but wished it had a different camber rocker profile?  Maybe you want a full rocker ski build or maybe you prefer to have camber under your foot. Or maybe its just a higher tail upturn or larger rocker rise.  We can work with you to adjust the profile of the ski to meet your desires.  Contact us wit any questions or to discuss the options and how they may adjust the performance and feel of the skis. 

 

Final Details

Tell us a little about you and your skiing

Basic info like height/weight and ability should be included.  Let us know about the resorts and areas that you ski. As well as the aspects of the mountain you seek out, any preferences and your general skiing style.  Please let us know what you are expecting for from this ski; for example touring, resort charger, deep powder, or competition ski.  All this info helps us to confirm that you are selecting the best ski and that we are building you the best fitting custom ski possible.   Please feel free to contact us with any questions.  We are happy to help you dial in the details on your next custom ski.