Modern ski and snowboard manufacturing relies heavily on synthetic plastics, petro-based epoxies, and mass assembly lines. This new Kickstarter project titled “Natural — Hand Built Skis & Snowboards Engineered From Nature” by UK-based builder Guy Nield is challenging that status quo by proving that natural composites aren’t just eco-friendly, they deliver superior mountain performance.
“Natural is not just a materials project. It is the result of years spent chasing winters, building things by hand, travelling through mountain communities, and becoming deeply connected to the environments and cultures that surround skiing and snowboarding. The company is growing slowly and organically from a simple workshop idea into something bigger.”
The Vision: Grown, Not Synthesized
The project started with a simple question: Why rely on polluting synthetic materials when nature offers better flex, strength, and vibration damping?
Rather than relying on ABS plastics, petroleum resins, and high-ink graphics, Natural uses a blend of organic, high-performance materials:
- Strand-Woven Bamboo Sidewalls: Bamboo’s high tensile strength (up to 28,000 psi) provides incredible edge hold, impact protection, and seamless flex integration with the core—outperforming rigid plastic sidewalls.
- Flax & Hemp Fibers: Natural plant fibers act as structural laminates, offering exceptional chatter-damping and a smooth, damp ride feel at high speeds.
- Paulownia & Poplar Cores: Lightweight wood cores engineered for pop, responsiveness, and reduced swing weight during backcountry touring.
- Cork Inserts: Embedded strategic cork zones absorb high-frequency vibrations in harsh snow conditions.
- Real Wood Veneer Topsheets: Every ski and board features a unique wood topsheet (such as cherry, oak, or spalted beech), making every single pair visually one-of-a-kind.
“Big brands use foam cores, plastic topsheets, and synthetic bases because they’re cheap and fast to mass produce. We use bamboo, paulownia, flax, and real hardwood, not because it sounds good, but because it makes a genuinely better ski. Stiffer where it needs to be, more damp underfoot, and built to last decades instead of two or three seasons.”
Technical Highlights
| Component | Traditional Construction | Natural Construction | Performance Advantage |
| Sidewalls | ABS / UHMWPE Plastic | Strand-Woven Bamboo | Seamless core flex & natural vibration absorption |
| Damping Layer | Rubber / Synthetic Film | Natural Cork & Flax | Absorbs chatter without adding extra weight |
| Top Layer | Printed Plastic Sheet | Real Wood Veneer | Unique aesthetic, higher longitudinal stability |
| Resin | Petroleum Epoxy | Bio-Based Resin | High bond strength with a lower carbon footprint |
Small-Batch, Pre-Order Craftsmanship
Rather than flooding the market with mass-produced inventory, Natural operates on a sustainable, build-to-order system through its campaign:
- Pre-Order Reservation: Riders select their freeride or touring model during the campaign.
- Summer Hand-Crafting: Each pair is built, pressed, and hand-finished in small batches over the summer.
- Winter Delivery: Custom-built equipment arrives ahead of the winter season, ready for years of high-mountain terrain.
Natural has a Kickstarter campaign that is live right now with 12 more slots available for in the build queue. If you are interested in getting an order in, we recommend you do so ASAP. More information here.
