The age old method of ski production may be coming to an end with RAMP Sport’s development of a new “Vacuum” Press technique. The traditional method of producing skis is to layer all the components – base, edges, core, top sheet, etc. – and essentially squeeze it together to create one homologous unit. RAMP is going about things in an entirely new manner, their vacuum press really isn’t a press at all…it’s a vacuum!
What sets RAMP apart:
- Longer lasting skis
- No press necessary
- More cost effective
- Manufactured in the US
- “Factory Direct” pricing
The materials are sucked together, requiring a quarter of the pressure needed in traditional presses. RAMP is claiming that this new technique is not only more efficient, but that it also creates a more sturdy, longer lasting ski. Kilchenstein, the founder of RAMP Sports, says “Think about it in terms of fixing a delamination on your ski—if you apply too much pressure you squeeze all the epoxy out and it doesn’t last as long.”
Another key feature of their production process is the lack of expensive aluminum molds. Traditional ski production requires a very expensive (upwards of $6,000) molds for each production model ski. At RAMP, the vacuum process doesn’t require these molds allowing more time and money to go into R&D, as well as making testing new models easy and cheap.
Having never skied on a pair, I can’t attest to whether they perform like a traditional ski or not. If the skis hold up as well as they claim, it will be very interest to see how RAMP grows in the coming years. You can find out more about RAMP here.