
WildSnow spy shot from next season catalog. Graphene Ultra is the lightest ski ever produced. Available now. Click to enlarge.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boulder, Colorado USA (March 31, 2015) – Dynafit North American announces a groundbreaking campaign to not only sell the most versatile and lightest weight ski ever made — Graphene Ultra — but to completely change the ski equipment public relations landscape by taking a global view of when they release products to retail, going forward.An industry insider shared this embargoed image from upcoming Italian marketing campaign. Skimo racer Allegria Moretti is also a model. She signed on with Dynafit just a few days ago to spearhead the Graphene Ultra campaign.
“We examined metrics from emerging markets such as Chile, averaged with Australia and Switzerland,” said Bryce Ward, CEO of Dynafit North American. “The result at first startled us, but we soon realized that releasing ski products into retail needs to be done in spring, rather than in the fall — basically, we found there are a lot more skiers in South America than we ever thought possible — and Swiss skiers in particular are going all seasons.”
The debut product for Dynafit’s new retail strategy is the Graphene Ultra ski. This amazing, nearly miraculous technological marvel was developed in conjunction with U.S. Special Forces winter warfare specialists, assisted by materials science engineers at DARPA. Capping the design process, the skis were tested by UIAGM guides worldwide, with a final evaluation round performed by Killian Jornet and two other Worldcup skimo racers, the names of whom are being kept private for security reasons.
“The Graphene Ultra skimo freeride touring ski was developed to serve the growing market for recreational alpine ski touring in the European and U.S. markets,” said Ward. “The design priorities were ease of use and adjustability, compatibility with a wide variety of skier types (skimo racers as well as sponsored freeride athletes), along with excellent uphill and downhill performance at a low weight that heretofore is unheard of in the industry.”
The Graphene Ultra is manufactured using a top secret process, kept under tight wraps by Dynafit (and their ski maker Folsom Customs) for a development period of fully six years. The ski will be sold in one length, 176 centimeters, with an area marked off at the tail where certified shop technicians (only available at Dynafit Competency Centers) can cut the ski to length with a special diamond toothed hacksaw. Corresponding boot locations marks are provided, depending on what ski length is ultimately chosen.
“We found that with new materials and processes the archaic method of manufacturing skis with multiple expensive molds, for different lengths, was completely unnecessary,” said Ward. “By using nearly 100% various carbon materials, this ski is so strong we’re working on a promotional video that shows it being used as a pry bar to remove earthquake debris during a live rescue in Valparaiso, Chile.”
Lightweight strength is indeed the big story of the Graphene Ultra ski. Dynafit engineers studied the arcane weight charts at WildSnow.com and realized they could make a ski that literally “went off the chart” in terms of mass. To that end, Graphene Ultra weighs an astonishing 410 grams for the 176 cm length, at a profile of 125/99/111. This is less than 1/3 the weight of any similar sized ski on the current market.
“The amazing lightness of the Graphene Ultra is accomplished in many ways, but two things stand out,” said Ward. “First, as the name indicates we did use a large amount of graphene, a form of carbon that’s so strong a nail supporting the weight of an elephant can’t penetrate a layer only two molecules thick. But secondly, and perhaps even more revolutionary, is we’ve eliminated steel edges. Yes, you heard that right. The edges themselves are a mix of carbon fiber and diamond dust we’ve found holds an edge nearly as well as steel, yet weighs nearly nothing in comparison.”
The benefits of Graphene Ultra go beyond weight and strength. The ski has a black topskin that absorbs and retains nearly 86% of available solar energy, in turn gradually releasing warmth to act as a “snow reduction system,” that prevents heavy topskin ice from forming in nearly all conditions. Patented Dynafit climbing skin mounts are included at tip and tail, along with HDPE base material that exceeds Ptex in strength by approximately 46%, and never needs waxing.
The Graphene Ultra ski is shipping now. MSRP $1,600 USD.
APRIL FOOLS
55 comments
Quite unbelieveable… If that thing works its a REAL Innovation in the end…
A fitting technological marvel…!
man, the things I could do with a diamond toothed hacksaw!
Top secret space age material, US Special Forces, diamond dust, secret testing in Chile, and a beautiful femme-fatale who can also ski like a demon – it all sounds more James Bond than WildSnow. Well done Lou! 🙂
We’ve been testing these skis all winter, the Zale edges actually do work, which surprised us. Other websites such as the PR Institute and Bubble Gear Review conclude the same thing. Where we all disagree is whether Graphene Ultra is a skimo race ski or a freeride touring ski. I met Allegria Moretti last winter in Bormio at the Salewa offices, she is the real deal, had just returned from a ski descent of Nanga Parbat. She was pretty funny, joking with Lisa and I about not needing to lose any weight after three weeks above 27,000 feet. Lou
P.S., I just want to point out that we didn’t mention the Rodel Rocker, next generation of Scoop Rocker, it’s an improvement based on the hay sleds that have become so popular in the Alps. Rodel Rocker actually twists when you tilt the ski, thus initiating turns with nearly imperceptible movements. Prepare to be amazed. Lou
I TOTALLY SAW SOME GUYS ON THIS SKI AT THE HINTERSCHEISSTERHALDE LAST WEEKEND!
The ski was AWESOME!
It made their beards even bushier! IMMA GET ME SUM A DEM!
Brilliant !!!
april 1
I’ve heard early rumor about this new revolutionnary ski concept.
But I thought, it was Movement coming up today with a new FISH…
April’s fool?
@Fra: No, dead serious… 😉
PS: But I myself fell for it in the first moment… well done!!
CEO Bryce Ward seems to know the game. Good luck to them with this new campaign. Once again.the Pot has been stired.
From Hinterscheissterhalde, they moved on to Verarschmichnicht here in Switzerland. I think they’re still there.
I also heard through the grapevine that this ski will be co released with the revolutionary Dynafit smart magnet binding system. No more moving parts.
Only $1600, that is as ridiculous as the weight.
Finally! I now will no longer need to carry my heavy metal pry bar when skiing in earthquake terrain.
Just read on a competing blog (Walmart.bcskier.com) that Black Diamond will soon introduce a proyotype skin made from real carp skins, harvested from Utah Lake.
I think they get this idea from Norway, only they’re using herring fish?
Doug, you and me both. I always hate it when Lou sneaks the heavy metal pry bar into my pack. No more with Graphene Ultra!
I get nervous cutting skins, I can’t imagine cutting skis!
Cool ski and technology, disappointing advertising imagery.
Lauren, prepare for it to get worse. I hear that the former head of marketing for Lange has recently been hired by DynFit
I’m telling you guys, you have to try Rodel Rocker. Amazing. Lou
Is that why you smoked me skiing down the Crystal Chute on Sopris this morning? Lou, you dog!
I just heard of Dynafit great marketing move to introduce Graphene on next Victoria Secret show in Las Vegas in November. I love that! Great job Dynafit!
And this morning Salomon announced the new MTN blade … bigger is not always better
… of course the downside of the Air Entrain core is that it will require a hammer drill to mount bindings.
See, you are prescient. Nothing like compressed air in a tank, for damping effect. A secret part of the Graphene Ultra is the air tank core. Lou
Bahahah!! Nice “it only come in one size”….short. Happy April Fools Day!
I’m very intrigued with the edges. Carbon fiber and pixie dust composite – remarkable combination of the real and imagined! I did note that they only come in 176 cm. One can only assume that Dynfit consulted with Lou on the perfect length. Lou your influence is growing to truly worldwide proportions.
Allegria Moretti is no joke. By choosing to sponsor her, Dynafit is supporting the next generation in skimo champions. Allegria is an amazon. She’s over 2 meters tall, and it’s all muscle. I saw her leave Laetitia Roux in the dust during the Marmotta Grand Trophy 100 km SkiMo Sprint in Val Martello. We hear talk that she was seperated at birth from twin Caster Semenya but Dynafit makes all their athletes go thru gender testing and Allegria passed with no issues (records are sealed due to HIPPA). It was revealed her blood type is not even the same a Casters.
In addition to modeling, Allegria has a background in clothing design. Part of her sign-on agreement ensures she will have the final veto power on all Dynafit clothing designs starting with the 2017 line. An interview with Germany’s popular magazine, The Spiegel, revealed she’s looking forward to developing the first weightless, spray on speed suit. I say, I like the speed suit she’s wearing just fine.
Pablo, thanks for that, I missed the skimo details since we’re not tracking that world so much. In any case, Dynafit is very lucky to have picked up Allegria, as I did hear she had offers from a major German automobile company as well as several national teams attempting to expatriate her from Italy. Lou
Nice touch with the Comic Sans on the graphic, classic!
Bien joué, Lou
I can see a big market for removable dampener modules of spent uranium designed so one can add enough weight to the tips and tails prior to downhill legs so they will ski somewhat like a ski. On the other hand with a model like Allegria anywhere within eyesight, who would want to ski away?
Allegria was unusually standoffish last month in Cortina. I thought it was something I said or maybe the Limoncello was not to her liking. Now I know she inly wanted privacy for the skis.
Butt cheeks on wild snow. Appalling! Cancel my subscription! Oh right, this is a blog and I can’t stop myself from……..staaaaariinnng……..Allegra will gone down as the Lange girl of 2015.
Well done Mr. Dawson.
Can’t sleep – so why not troll my favorite site and I get this…. Now wide awake laughing my ass off! Well played Lou! Waxless bases made out of HDPE and diamond dust edges – cracking up!
I recently saw Allegria on the Kaiserschmarren glacier in Badjöcken Austria. I noticed she was carrying a rather large pack, especially for a skimo racer. I asked her about it and in addition to testing the Dynafit skis she is also testing the new revolutionary BD JetForce Ultra avi pack. Instead of inflating a balloon it uses two small rocket nozzles to lift the skier 20ft above an avalanche and then gives 30 sec of power for the skier to steer to safety. I asked a BD contact re the wisdom of having rocket fuel in one’s pack, and he said it is no more flammable than cooking fuel or some of the drinks backcountry skiers carry. There will also be an instructional video on how to avoid rocketing over cliffs and into trees. Lou apparently your test pack will be delivered in the autumn.
Amazing skiing on the Kaiserschmarren, one of my favorite places, sweet as they come.
Killian Jornet isn’t sponsored by Dynafit. Joke?
Joking? Nien! The French they are nimble and versatile, not likely to be seen on inferior Bootie, ergo Jornet=Graphine Ultra. Not reported here but overheard at the starting gate for the FokkenSpitz 50K last week while hyperventilating: the production model will feature revolutionary nanotec cabon/alu binding inserts manufactured at a previously defunct Aluminum Plant in Columbia Falls, Mt. This will allow the use of special dynapops (aluminum pop rivets) saving 158 g per binding over torq screws. Sliderite will produce a carbon handled tool for field repairs, for those of us who must rivit gunwales on OT Canoes at this time of year say goodbye to tennis elbow! The manufacturers of ibuprofen are going to take a big hit at market open tomorrow, Cramer eat my pixie dust! You heard it here first!
Rivets, now that’s cutting edge!
The giveaway here is the spelling “Killian”. Our hero Kílian owns only one el. This is how you know Lou is pimping us. Otherwise, it’s totally plausible though, sadly, false.
Imagine my emotions when I realized how “heavy” my Carbon Converts had now become!
Sooo… I did a Ctrl-F on “durability” on this page and got zero results. 🙂 Any prognostication regarding that subject and real-world use?
All I know is you’d probably be no match for Allegria.
… I meant that mostly regarding the hardness of the base material and blow-out resistance of the edges.
Mostly?
Did anyone ever try the Graphene Ultra? We’re looking for a guest review.
My daughter tested the lightest ski (500grs) and it’s not a April Joke …
But No Graphene inside, only DIY !
Check that : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ_WN2J6KsE (until 1:36 to understand )
Hi there,
Light Gear again, and was in April too, with my 2 young boys .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFK26sqhDmo
Steph
Nice to see the kids out Steph, thanks for the link! Lou
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