My Favorite Skis for 24-25
Generally speaking, most people don’t spend much of July thinking about the upcoming ski season. But for some of us (crazies like myself) - the offseason is a chance to get a head start on preparations for November. In my case, this includes figuring out what new gear I might try and add to my collection.
A new pair of skis for my quiver is something I consider pretty much every year. Naturally, this leads to hours of research. This research is driven by the following criteria:
Specific functionality - the ski’s build has to amplify the experience it’s meant for (e.g. a touring ski has to be light enough for the uphill trek)
Unique design - I want the appearance to turn heads both in line and on the lift
Obviously, your skis have to be able to handle whatever you throw at them - that’s a given. However, I also try to find skis that will get a few “yo, those are awesome” callouts from lifties. A lot of brands tend to sacrifice one or the other and you rarely find a strong combo of performance and design. In fact, I’d argue that my current pair of all mountain Faction skis does a lot better in the looks category than in the performance one.
Even so, there are those who have mastered the art of performance and design.
On July 11th, J skis went on an Instagram frenzy, dropping new footage of their upcoming ski collection.
J skis is a ski brand based in Burlington, Vermont. The company was created by none other than Jason Levinthal, “The Father of the Twin Tip, and is known for the outrageously cool patterns they put all over their skis (and the unique build, but let’s face it, most people barely understand the difference between rocker and camber).
J skis' unique patterns are designed in collaboration with a variety of artists, many of whom are mentioned in the screenshot below.
If you’ve ever come across a ski that had Bob Ross on it, yeah, that was these guys.
Not only are the skis insanely unique, but they’re also backed by insane warranties.
The fact that you can take the ski out for 5 days and still return it if it doesn’t fit your needs (which it will) is bonkers. Any experienced skier will tell you that the only way to buy a ski is by trying it first.
So why is all of this relevant? Well, J skis' entire new collection drops on August 1st. That's in like two weeks. And the thing about these insanely rare designs is that once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. No, seriously. And they drop very limited quantities, all of which are numbered and hand signed by Jason himself.
They have a full assortment of ski widths, each designed to conquer a specific style of riding. They break them down into three categories: Charge, Play, and Explore. The skis are custom built for each of the three ride styles, with different widths delivering unique advantages based on the conditions you plan to ski them in. Personally, I spend most of my days in a mix of East Coast powder (ice) or the trees out West, so that 97 underfoot “Allplay” has my name written all over it.
Anyways, the point here is simple. No matter what type of ski you want to add to your quiver, J skis is the rare brand that can provide you with both quality and high performance, while also looking good. They’re designed by a master (look up Jason; he is a ski-building legend), they’re insanely unique, and they’re incredibly limited.
It is in your best interest to make a move on these on August 1st, or you’ll miss out.
Want to learn more? Just go toJskis.com and browse the site. They explain the build of each ski and the artists behind the wicked designs better than I ever could.
*All photos are a property of J skis
