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Navaski Skis
Italy

http://www.navaski.com/

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Manufacturer Comments:		"All Nava Ski models are in sandwich. The shaped and fitted lamellar core is composed of different types of wood to guarantee excellent flexibility and elasticity to every part of the ski, a characteristic that synthetic fibre has as yet been unable to replace. Combined with titanal, fibreglass, carbon and graphite, the special overlaid sandwich construction allows a reduction of tension in the blades, guaranteeing high performance, long-lasting skis. The advantage of this construction, still handcrafted yet making maximum use of state-of-the-art technology, is to achieve even better results by producing skis not only for athletes, but also for skiers of all levels, on the slopes or off-piste."

Ski Types:		All Mountain, Extreme Carving, Freeride, Giant Slalom, Race Carve, Slalom, Super G
		Competitive extreme carving skis (no poles please), ski-cross and regular carving skis from Italy. Some very cool competitive extreme carving pics on the site.

Never Summer Industries
USA

http://www.neversummer.com

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Manufacturer Comments:		"Never Summer’s reputation of quality and durability began in the early years of snowboarding. Designing and building snowboards since 1983 has given us years of experience in testing and perfecting our snowboard designs and construction methods. We continue to work very closely with the world’s leading raw materials manufacturers and engineers to make sure every Never Summer snowboard is the most durable, high performance board on the planet! Each snowboard is carefully handcrafted in our Denver, Colorado factory to precision tolerances. As a result, only the world’s best snowboard shops proudly sell our products. Focusing less on excessive promotion and hype, and more on using the highest quality materials, craftsmanship and customer service has made Never Summer the world’s premier independent snowboard company." (2009)

Ski Types:		All Mountain, Backcountry, Big Mountain, Custom Construction, Custom Graphics, Freeride, Hybrid-Other, Park-Pipe
		Tracey and Tim Canaday have been building up Never Summer Industries in Colorado (USA) since 1983. They manufacture their own brand of snowboards and skateboards and do OEM manufacturing of many ski brands (such as Icelantic Boards, Fat-ypus and others). They have a serious reputation for quality construction, passion for their products and keeping customers happy. Never Summer has experience and a depth of clients making them one of the most prolific ski manufacturers in North America. Contact: Never Summer Industries 5077 Colorado Blvd. Denver, CO. 80216 U.S.A. phone: (303)320-1813 fax: (303)320-0771

Nidecker
Swiss Corporation - Swiss and Tunisian Manufacture

http://www.nidecker.com

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Ski Types:
		Established around 1887 (not a typo!) to build wheelbarrows, chairs and ladders, later making skis in 1912 and snowboards in 1984, Nidecker is a powerhouse of snowboard production and design. They own their own production facility in Tunisia where they press snow products for such names as Salomon. Aside from their formidable snowboard collection and production capacity (seven presses in the R&D facility in Rolle, Switzerland!), Nidecker silently makes skis for many high-end brands ($3,000+ skis & snowboards) such as Chanel, Swarovski (crystal-embedded), Lacroix, LORM and custom products for MTV Europe, Ford and some others we have been sworn to secrecy about. Kessler and Swoard have some of their high-end production done in Nideker's Rolle facility. Their R&D facility in Rolle, Switzerland is used for high-end, small-volume fabrication of artisinal products. If you want a superb-quality ski or snowboard made to your specifications, Nidecker can do it and has a pedigree to prove it.

Ninthward Skis
USA

http://www.ninthward.com/

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Ski Types:		All Mountain, Big Mountain, Freeride, Freestyle, Powder
		One of the biggies in the birth and success of the freeride movement. Lots of models to pick from...they've got something for everyone. Rabid following by many riders, some more for the "gangsta-rider image"...others for the skis...go figure... Undeniably popular for a reason - tons of people love these skis. P4000 bases on some models, wood cores, Rockwell 45 edges...etc.

Nobile Sp.z.o.o.
Poland

http://www.nobile.com.pl/

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Ski Types:		Custom Construction, Custom Graphics
		Nobile has a long history of designing and manufacturing serious kiteboards and kites, and they have recently been using their lamination skills and board construction expertise to manufacture skis for several companies, including Majesty and some others. No retail sales of skis to the public...only contract manufacturing as of 2009. We have skied on some of the skis from their factory and can vouch they can make very good skis at a very good price. As with any contract manufacturer, you need to specify and watch quality-control, enforced in your contract! Good skis at a good manufacturing price. We hope to get on the full line of Majesty skis soon!. Contact: "Nobile" Sp.z.o.o ul.Wapienicka 6 43-382 Bielsko Biata POLAND tel: +48 33 822 42 40 email: nobile " at " nobile.com.pl

NoCopy Skis
Swedish Corporation - French Manufacture

http://www.nocopy.se

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Manufacturer Comments:		"The NOCOPY skis are solid and top quality; hand made for advanced skiers with particular requirements on quality and style. They are available in 1680, 1780, 1860 and 1780 centimeters. 1680 and 1780 has perfect features to suit anywhere on the mountain. 1860 is a real �fatty� and is only suitable for powder snow. Bindings A constantly disputable subject. This winter (2007/2208) we have tested VIST 311 which turned out perfect! Skis Construction: single tip. Wooden core with vertical lamells + sandwhich + glass fibre. Steel edges and extra supported inside. Limited edition Skis are only made in limited edition and for the 07/08 season, 29 pairs of test skis are now available on the Swedish market. Below, you will find a size chart and a listing of shops where you can buy NOCOPY skis. For the 08/09 season we plan to make larger series and also to introduce a few other models. Interested in more information about coming models? Please send us an e-mail and we will keep you posted. Size chart SKIER�S WEIGHT (LB - KG) SKI LENGTH (CM'S) > 20 (90kg) 195 181 - 200 (81-90kg) 187 161 - 180 (72-80kg) 180 141 - 160 (63-71kg) 174 120 - 140 (54-62kg) 167 < 120 (54kg) 155 Tips Five centimetres shorter or longer won�t make a big difference, so don�t worry if the ski you want doesn�t come in the exact length indicated here. Sizes vary from brand to brand. When in doubt, GO SHORTER. MEASURES (TOP/WAIST/BACK) 1680: 126/87/112, color: purple/green 1780: 126/87/112, color: green/green 1860: 128/95/116. color: yellow/yellow"

Ski Types:		Freeride
		[Message from NoCopy in June 2008]: "The new homepage is only in english and will be translated into french and german in the autumn. New skis and boards. Carving, twin tip and a longer freeride will come soon. Project on a true freeride snowboard under development with one of the worlds leading freeriders." €816 pricing. 186cm model is 128/95/116. A new designer for freeride skis in 2007-2008. Limited production of 25 pairs in 3 lengths. Get 'em while they last!

Northfork Snowboards
USA

http://www.northforksnowboards.com/

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Ski Types:		Custom Construction, Snowboards
		Small, indie snowboard builder in North Bend, Washington USA bringing mixes of carbon, kevlar and custom production to three basic models of boards. Rockers available, along with "damp" and "snappy" behaviors. Lengths from 185cm to 205cm. Prices range from $655 - $755. Contact: Josiah North Fork Snowboards PO Box 909 North Bend, WA 98045

Obsidian Skis
Australia

http://www.obsidianskis.com

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Manufacturer Comments:		"Traditional craftsmanship fused with innovative technology." "Highest quality hand-built skis using custom processes..."

Ski Types:		All Mountain, Big Mountain, Freeride, Park-Pipe
		Cool flash site (nice Lord of the Rings look). Hand-made, high quality skis for freeride, freestyle, big mountain, park & pipe and all-mountain models. Vertically laminated, sustainable growth bamboo cores, high-quality, Rockwell 48 edges, titanium, carbon fiber...all top materials. Custom-built factory (not outsourced manufacturing) facility.

Odyssey Skis
USA

http://www.odysseyskis.com/

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Manufacturer Comments:		" Greetings Fellow Skiers and Powder Hounds, I have been an avid skier all my life. Plagued with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome I was motivated to find a method to continue my "love affair" with skiing. I discovered that shortening my skis, making them wider, and adding a sidecut like a snowboard, gave me the energy boost of a good drug, giving me the ability to continue my "love affair" with skiing. A lightbulb moment that I have shared with the ski industry and you. I have been bringing you Wide Short Shaped Skis since June of 1992 (MAX F/X), before any other manufacturer even had a shaped ski on the drawing board. No one was incorporating sidecut to ski design in the 90’s. I filed for a patent on the Wide Short Ski in August of 1991, and introduced the industry to sidecuts by making ten different versions, and was granted a patent in Feb. 1997. During these years I also OEM manufactured skiboards for Microski, Canon Skiboards, Summit Skiboards, Klimax, Boogie Boards out of Japan, and some of my own skiboards called Dragonflys. Since 1997 I produced many varieties of my E/Max until all the manufacturers were producing enough that I could make royalties from the design. I have done battle to defend my patent, concluded in losing my patent in Feb. 2009, against a high powered legal team hired by K2. To learn the lengthy details of that journey, visit the Untold Odyssey page on this website. The snow continues to fall. I have continued to find more ways to contribute to those of us with a skiing and powder addiction. In the past five years I have developed seven different models of super wide powder skis. These powder skis contain the sidecut formula for great turning performance, as well as width for flotation, length for speed, and flex for stability, and finally a flat camber to allow the skis to plane more easily. All that is left is for you to determine just what powder conditions it is you want to ski. What ski is missing from your quiver? Read some of the comments from OGRE owners on the Testimonials page and then take a visit to the Super Fat Skis. I will do my best to continue my quest to bring smiles to the faces of those of you that find your life joy flying through the white fluff with the wind in your face. Keep those sticks on the snow.

Ski Types:		Big Mountain, Powder
		Home of the famous "Ogre"line of fat boards by Paul Nelson. "THE OGRES ARE ONLY FOR THE BRAVE !!!" Tiny operation in the USA with a line of skis ranging from big to really big. Paul describes his patent battle for his designs against K2...and the ultimate loss in that battle. He also describes his experience with Volant using his prototype for evaluation, and the eventual Volant Chubb that had nearly identical dimensions to his design. He also describes the fascinating world of royalties for patents, enforcing patents and royalties against infringers and all the other legal entanglements most new ski designers never think of. Basically, Nelson claims to have designed many shapes suddenly adopted by major manufacturers after evaluating his skis. Read the story HERE. Ogre I - 183.5cm Dimensions: 164 X 154.5 X 122.5 X 142 X 145mm Radius 22.13 meter, Bottom surface area 2,540cm2 $620 usd Ogre II - 184cm Dimensions: 180.5 X 171.5 X 123 X 143.5 X 146mm Radius 18 meter, Bottom surface area 2,630cm2 $620 usd Ogre III - 186.5cm Dimensions - 184.5 X 177 X 141 X 154 X 155.5mm Radius - 25.3 meters, Bottom surface area 2,900cm2 $620 usd Ogre IV - 202.5cm Dimensions - 133 X 126.5 X 92.5 X 113 X 113mm Radius - 28.74 meters, Bottom surface area 2,155cm2 $675 usd Ogre V - 204.5cm Dimensions - 155.5 X 148 X 115.5 X 137 X 138.5mm Radius - 29 meters, Bottom surface area 2,680cm2 $675 usd Ogre VI - 204.5cm Dimensions - 174 X 165 X 124.5 X 145.5 148.5mm Radius - 25.47 meters, Bottom surface area 2,920cm2 $720 usd Ogre VII - 204cm Dimensions - 185 X 174 X 128 X 145 X 148mm Radius - 23.34 meters, Bottom surface area 3,000cm2 $750 usd

Ogasaka Skis
Japan

http://www.ogasaka-ski.co.jp/

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Ski Types:		All Mountain, Carving, Freeride, Giant Slalom, Intermediate, Novice, Race Carve, Slalom, Super G
		[ExoticSkis test reviews...] Old-time Japanese ski manufacturer with large lineup of everything from real FIS race skis, carving skis to mid-fats and kids' skis. Website in the U.S. is constantly being updated by the fellow who runs the U.S. operation, so sometimes it is down for "redesign" in between seasons. They may not be very active in the US, concentrating on native markets. We liked their skis when we tested them a few years ago. The Japanese site typicaly has many more models of skis than seen in the USA or Canadian websites. The North American marketers only bring in a subset of models available from Ogasaka Ski in Japan. Very popular in Japan. Website: OgasakaSki - Canada Some reviews at EpicSki: Ogasaka Keos GT (march 2007) Ogasaka Unity EX (march 2004) Ogasaka KC-RV (April 2004 - scroll down) Ogasaka KC-RV (April 2004 - scroll down) Ogasaka Triun GS (April 2004 - scroll down)

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