10 best manufacturers of alpine skiing

Alpine skiing is a very specific discipline, which began to develop in Russia relatively recently. Its history dates back to the 18th century - it was then that the Norwegians first used skis to descend from the mountain. Initially, these were standard wooden models with semi-rigid belt anchorages and metal brackets, but later they were replaced by wide plastic specimens that showed higher results in speed, stability and controllability on a competitive track.

Today, dozens of companies are engaged in the creation of alpine skis of various types, but not everyone is able to boast of high quality products. Having thoroughly analyzed the market, we have compiled for you a rating of the best manufacturers of alpine skiing, whose products enjoy worldwide popularity and universal recognition. The final list of nominees was compiled according to the following criteria:

• the popularity of the company in Russia;
• consumer feedback on product quality;
• the breadth of the model range;
• the degree of manufacturability of the sets and the balance of characteristics;
• average cost of production;
• compliance with the price of performance.

TOP 10 best manufacturers of alpine skiing

10 Atomic

If in the category of cross-country skiing, the Austrian company Atomic occupies a leading position, in the segment of mountain models there is a certain coldness of domestic consumers. Not that people do not like the quality of their products - on the contrary, users note excellent performance, a decent level of reliability and low (relative to other firms) prices.

A characteristic feature of Atomic is the use of High Densolite technology (less Titanium Backbone 2.0) when creating skis, which significantly reduces the weight of the products due to the lightweight synthetic core (in the case of the titan, the wooden base is strengthened while reducing the overall weight by 20%). The sidewalls of the Firewall are responsible for damping, reducing vibration and optimally redistributing the useful force (up to 95% efficiency). A similar set of technologies, supported (or improved) by other innovations, is concentrated in the Atomic Vantage alpine skiing series, designed for off-piste. Their cost varies in the range from 20 to 40 thousand rubles per set - not cheap, but you can feel the focus on professional athletes.

9 Blizzard

Austrian brand, originating straight from the family carpentry workshop. It was founded in 1945 by military Tony Arnshteyner, who was unlearning carpentry and adapted a workshop for the production of furniture for the production of skis.

After a long and persistent development, Blizzard was acquired by the Italian concern Technica Group (controlling stakes were bought in 2006 and 2007), under which began to produce a wide range of products not only for beginners and amateurs, but also for recognized masters of alpine skiing.

Traditionally, the best model of the newest history of the brand are Blizzard Bonafide skis, designed for off-piste (freeride).They are designed for progressive and experienced athletes performing on heterogeneous routes. Thanks to the competent combination of the original form and the special technology Flip Core (“flying core”), these skis can also be used on hard slopes that require maximum balance and concentration from the athlete.

8 Rossignol

A French brand that has proven itself as a supplier of reliable and sustainable ski sets. The history of Rossignol has chosen more than 100 years of successful development of the activity, which has naturally been converted into numerous awards and universal consumer acceptance.

The breakthrough of Rossignol to the number of undisputed leaders occurred not so long ago, but for a very weighty reason. Long-term studies of the properties of the materials used, endless tests and adjustments allowed the engineers of the French company to open Tip Technology Air - a special technology that reduced the weight of skis by about 20 percent without loss of strength properties.

One of the best representatives of the brand’s alpine skiing is considered to be the Rossignol Soul 7 freeride kit, which is oriented towards progressive skiers. Easy, maneuverable and externally flawless, it is ideal for users who prefer off-piste riding on models of moderate radius and medium level of rigidity.

7 Fischer

Initially, the Austrian company Fischer specialized in the creation of ordinary wheeled carts and winter sleds, without feeding illusions about the production of more specific products. But by 1936 the concept of the company had changed radically: someone or something gave the idea that it was time to reorient production to the preparation of sports equipment, leaving household habits far in the past.

As the time shows, the adopted volitional decision led the company (albeit not soon) to triumph - in the newest sports history, the brand was twice recognized as the best supplier of equipment for the Winter Olympic Games (in 2006 and 2010).

Today, the Fisher range includes a place for both cross-country and downhill ski sets. In a number of the latter, a special place is occupied by the RC4 Worldcup SC series, made specifically for sports slalom competitions. It is noteworthy that famous skiers took part in the production of this set - this was reflected not only in the results, but also in the cost level. Nevertheless, it is impossible to call the company's pricing policy too rigid: there are a lot of models in the product range that are designed for the budget user.

6 Head

The eternal struggle of the company Head with a large weight of its products unexpectedly pushed the brand in the direction of the most highly developed and technological. For several years, the Austrian giant tried to figure out how to most rationally use durable, but heavy fiberglass to significantly improve the parameters of alpine skiing, but all attempts were made in vain. The solution to the problem was found in the fundamental sections of the mechanics - instead of monolithic fiberglass fishing line, manufacturers used a thin net of hollow threads, which reduced the overall weight of the product by almost 30%, improving handling and maneuverability when passing sections with insidious curves.

Among the defects of the company Head can be attributed to what standard distinguishes the entire premium segment, namely the high cost of the entire product line. The price for the PRO-version of alpine skiing (for example, Head Prestige or Head WC Rebels i.SL RD) often goes beyond 50 thousand rubles, and something simpler and widely available in Russia (like Head Natural Instinct) will cost 30 thousand rubles.

5 Scott

Nowadays, a well-known company for the production of alpine skis did not begin this glorious way with this. In 1958, the famous American skier (with the surname Scott) opened his own small company ... for the production of lightweight ski poles.Gradual expansion of the desk took place until 1971, when it was decided to retrain part of the production for the production of ski boots. The real company Scott (as we know it now) was founded in 1998, and since then it has consistently held the rank of the best manufacturers of alpine skiing, not only American, but also world-class.

With respect to the other inhabitants of the premium segment, Scott stands out for a positive trend: the level of cost of skis for fans and beginners (especially the early series) is by no means low. And the quality is at the highest level - from year to year, manufacturers are methodically upgrading old technologies and developing new ones, gradually bringing snow grip, controllability and maneuverability to the limit (this is proved by the new All Ski Ski line).

4 Nordica

Nordica is a hot mix of Italian “explosive” temperament and new technologies, embodied in the form of equipment for winter sports. The factory, originating from 1935, is located in the city of Treviso and is owned by a large concern Tecnica Group. Deservedly included in the ranking of the best companies that provide their products to professional athletes, including in the downhill skiing segment.

Having its own technological base and, without exaggeration, an enormous experience in creating ski sets, Nordica does not aim to compete with the largest representatives of the market, but calmly and soulfully works for the good of its dedicated audience. Subtle calculation and determination help Italians to find the best combination of developments and implement the most daring design ideas. Vivid representatives of the company are the freeride series NAVIGATOR TEAM (based on the Energy Frame Ca technology, with additional frame reinforcement with carbon inserts) and the slalom DOB SL WC, designed for use in world competitions and World Cup Grand Prix stages.

3 ELAN

The Slovenian company ELAN is one of the few manufacturers aimed at creating equipment for skiing and snowboarding. A distinctive feature of their products is sharpened under the dynamics, which is reflected in the technologies used.

Unique combinations of approaches and developments make the ELAN alpine skis different from each other - some kits are so specific that only professional users are able to notice the subtlest nuances of manufacturability. Actually, all the company's products are focused on them: only a few novice or amateur consumers can afford such expensive sets.

One of the representatives of the extended series of mountain skis from ELAN is the Ripstick Fusion model, focused on professional carving. It combines not only the best technical characteristics, but also a magnificent, truly sporty appearance (manufacturers have a keen sense of beauty). The cost of such a kit is 34 thousand rubles - a figure that clearly shows the course of the company's pricing policy.

2 K2

The K2 alpine skiing company has long and firmly established itself on the shelves of Russian stores and for several years (during the period of general popularization of mountain slalom and snowboarding) invariably occupied first places in the tops of sales.

The variety of really cool products does not allow to single out a single model from the general range. The K2 KONIC 10 COMPACT universal carving kit using the Metal Laminate hybrid design with Hybritech edging to ensure proper rigidity and controllability, as well as the K2 BELUVED 10 COMPACT kit, easy and maneuverable, designed specifically for women, can be among the best representatives.

Today, the American brand, which has given up part of the audience to more budgetary competitors, still remains in high positions in terms of popularity and product quality, moving from the category of downhole beginners to the real old-timers of the market.

1 Volkl

The company is a monopolist, single-mindedly defending the interests of the German side in the production of winter sports equipment. It was founded in the 1920s in Bavaria and, not without great effort, managed to outlast all competitors in the domestic market. A peculiar business card of Volkl was the output of products oriented for use at temperatures below the standard level, which is perfectly suited for the climatic conditions of Russia.

Despite the fact that all the company's products without exception are worthy of the highest ratings, both consumers and experts highlight the segment of alpine skiing (mainly for freeride). It is not possible to describe all the variety of technologies used to create these series, however, we can note the high resistance of materials to temperature extremes, wear and excellent sliding characteristics. Alas, it also didn’t do without flaws (albeit purely marketing ones): the cost of the Volkl mountain skis hits the pockets of ordinary users very strongly, which is why the demand for them remains low. To its credit, it is worth noting that this is the lot of almost all premium firms.

Popular vote - who is the best manufacturer of alpine skiing?
We vote!

Atomic

Blizzard

ELAN

Head

Fischer

K2

Nordica

Rossignol

Scott

Volkl

Total votes: 360

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