Tourenski
What does a touring ski need to do for your tours?
A touring ski has to handle two very different tasks: it should help you move efficiently uphill and give you control on the descent in changing snow conditions.
Lightweight or stable? Narrow or wide? Uphill efficiency or downhill performance?
There is no single perfect touring ski for every situation. What matters is which requirements are most important for the way you ski – and which trade-offs you are willing to accept.
At gemsjaeger.ski, we ask one more question:
How is a ski constructed, what materials is it made from – and what happens to those materials at the end of the ski’s life?
We are rebuilding the ski.
Which touring ski is right for you?
Before choosing a touring ski, it helps to start with a simple question:
What do you mainly want to use it for?
If the ascent is your priority
On long ascents and carrying sections, weight becomes particularly important.
Width and length also play a role. A narrower ski can offer advantages on the ascent, while a shorter ski can make kick turns easier.
But the descent always remains part of the equation.
If the descent matters more to you
More width can provide more flotation in deep snow.
Geometry, profile, length and construction also influence how a ski behaves in different snow conditions.
If you want both
Conditions can change several times between the summit and the valley.
An all-round touring ski therefore has to balance different requirements.
The important question is not: What is the best touring ski?
It is: Which compromise fits the tours I actually ski?
The key trade-offs
Weight vs. downhill orientation
Less weight makes a difference with every metre of ascent.
At the same time, construction, geometry and intended use influence how the ski performs on the descent.
Width vs. snow conditions
Wider skis provide more flotation in deep snow.
Narrower skis can be more practical on the ascent and in established skin tracks.
Length and geometry vs. handling
Shorter skis can be easier to handle during kick turns.
At the same time, length, sidecut and profile influence the ski’s behaviour on the descent.
And what about the ski itself?
Weight, width, length, ascent and descent are important questions.
We believe there is another one:
How is the ski actually built?
At gemsjaeger.ski, we are working on a ski construction that considers materials, separability and what happens at the end of the product’s life from the very beginning.
What is different about the construction of Generation 1?
Bolted steel edge
On our ski, the steel edge is bolted to the ski rather than permanently bonded into the construction.
This means it can be replaced when necessary and separated from the other materials.
Materials for different cycles
Generation 1 is designed so that its materials can be separated and returned to different material cycles as far as possible.
Approved product claim: 100% recyclable.
This does not mean that materials can be recycled indefinitely or without losses.
No microplastics
Another approved product claim is: No microplastics.
For us, abrasion is part of the product development challenge – just like the question of what happens to the materials at the end of the ski’s life.
Does Generation 1 already perform like a conventional touring ski?
No.
Generation 1 is skiable, but it currently does not match the performance of conventional skis in every area.
- The current biodegradable base glides more slowly than a conventional ski base.
- The base wears faster.
- The durability of certain materials is currently lower.
We do not hide these limitations behind the word innovation.
They are real technical limitations of the current stage of development.
Is Generation 1 right for you?
Generation 1 could be interesting for you if …
- you are open to a new approach to materials and ski construction;
- maximum performance is not your only priority;
- you accept the current technical trade-offs;
- you would like to ski an emerging product early and contribute feedback.
Generation 1 is probably not right for you if …
- maximum glide performance is essential to you;
- you expect the same wear resistance as a conventional ski base;
- you are not willing to accept the currently lower durability of certain materials;
- you are looking for a fully mature ski without an ongoing development component.
In that case, a conventional touring ski is probably the better choice for you today.
Generation 1: product and development at the same time
Generation 1 is intended to be a real sports product for real customers.
At the same time, the ski is a proof of concept and a technology platform.
With Generation 1, we are continuing to develop materials, construction, replaceability and circularity under real-world conditions.
Is Generation 1 right for your tours?
We do not claim to have perfected this new product logic already.
We build the ski, test it and continue to develop it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a touring ski?
A touring ski is designed for ski touring, where you ascend under your own power before skiing back down.
Weight, width, length, geometry, bindings and climbing skins all influence how well a ski fits a particular use case.
How wide should a touring ski be?
That depends on the snow conditions, how much you prioritise the ascent or descent, and how you intend to use the ski.
Wider skis provide more flotation in deep snow, while narrower skis can offer advantages on the ascent.
Does Generation 1 perform as well as a conventional ski?
No.
The ski is skiable, but the current biodegradable base glides more slowly and wears faster. The durability of certain materials is also currently lower.
Is Generation 1 the better touring ski?
We explicitly do not make that claim.
Generation 1 follows a different approach to materials and construction.
Whether the current trade-offs fit your use case depends on what you expect from your ski.