Article: it's all in the core - ski building with Ronin Skis

Skiing is a major part of my life. I can think of no better way to journey about the mountains than on planks. This hasn’t always been so for me, as I was a very late coming to the game not learning to ski until my early 20’s but since then I have relished every chance to ski. In 2012 I shared an apartment with a guy who has gone on to become a close friend. In the last couple of years Jonno has started a small business building hand built skis. He has just a small range and turns out just over 50 pairs a year so fairly exclusive. The man himself has skied some of the plum steep dream lines around and about the Chamonix valley so knows a thing or two about how to carve. When he sent me a message asking if I’d like the opportunity to build my own skis with him, I jumped at it. Here’s the story of my skis…(this review first appeared on ronin skis facebook)

“Last year I participated in a ‘build your own ski’ workshop. I am very much a details person and interested in how things work so when the opportunity arose to create my own ski I jumped at it.

I have always been a fan of having a quiver of skis and like to own quality products that I am 100% are top class in performance. I have been lucky enough to ski a few different pairs of Ronin’s over the years and have always been impressed.

I was pretty certain which ski I wanted to build but Jonno took time to discuss it with me and check that the dimensions would be right for me and my ability. After this we got down to it. Jonno took loads of time to make sure I understood the process, I had time to ask questions as well as get really hands on. The workshop is clean and tidy and the machinery and tools were first class. Every step of the process was carefully and clearly explained and Jonno was patient and helpful as I got involved. The process was initially quite daunting but as we broke it down it was a really absorbing and satisfying to be engaged in.

My favourite part of the process was coming in on the final morning and getting the skis out of the press after they’d been left in overnight. Suddenly the whole process came together and I couldn’t stop grinning at the prospect of getting them onto the snow.

Unfortunately my ski season (as was everyone elses!) was shortened by the global pandemic but the few days I managed to ski them proved they were everything I’d hoped for; responsive, plenty of float, easy to turn and most importantly loads of fun!

Thoroughly recommended – Jonno is hugely competent both at skiing and at building skis and I really enjoyed my few days hanging out with him and coming home with a new set up I’d put together myself.

You can check out Ronin Skis here”