Q&A: Indie hardgoods co. HG Skis is on a quest to change the game

The men behind HG Skis have been building and designing skis since 2006. Distribution for the indie ski brand began in 2010, and the crew has not looked back since. Headquartered in Vermont, HG Skis aims to strengthen freestyle ski technology by creating the most durable product possible.

This year, HG Skis plans to expand its production with the release of two brand new products to accompany its flagship ski model, “The Stinger”; the company introduced a Kickstarter campaign in order to support the product launch. We caught up with HG Team this week to get the scoop on how exactly the company plans to produce its new-and-improved, “bomb proof” skis. We also touch on its 2015 film project, plus what lies ahead. Check it out, below.

The Q&A…

For those that don’t know—where are you guys located and how big is your operation?

We are proudly based in Burlington, VT. There’s about ten of us including our team of riders. We all wear a couple of different hats to get the job done.

You’re introducing two new pairs of skis, The “EL” (pow ski) and The “Transfer” (all­-mountain). ­How will these models differ from other skis available on the market?

We spent the last five years focused on one model, “The Stinger.” Focusing on the ski allowed us to learn faster with fewer moving parts. Our team has always believed in doing one thing, really well. If we could construct a ski tough enough and responsive enough for the park and streets, we could build any type of ski, utilizing the same principals. With a growing demand for more models and confidence in our flagship ski, we knew it was time to expand our line.

We designed The EL, our new powder ski, for the one-ski-quiver buyer. Coming from the heart of the Vermont woods, we understand that skiers need maneuverability in tight spaces, yet also the ability to be stable at high speeds in choppy conditions. The EL has a tight sidecut for a ski of its size, making the transition from crud to groomers incredibly smooth.

The all-new Transfer is a variation of our already popular Stinger. We’ve packed the ski with as much camber and sidecut we could possibly squeeze into it. The Transfer has a rockered tip and tail to give users a ski that is versatile enough for ripping groomers, big-mountain, rail plazas or big ass booters.

Most importantly, while designing a ski that could withstand urban skiing, we came to the conclusion that standard base and edge construction were not enough to withstand such abuse. So we doubled the thickness of our bases and edges across all models. So, whether you’re sliding on concrete or boosting off natural wood hits we make a ski that can handle the elements.

You’re making some significant changes in the design of your skis. Touch on that?

Durability is a focal point for HG Skis. For instance, we’ve started cutting our edges shorter (ZeroEdgeBlowout), ending below the contact point of the skis; by doing this we give the layers of the ski a better and more uniform bond. This also means that we’ve relieved any type of pressure buildup that may come from bending edges around the ski tip. Since making these changes we’ve seen almost no de-lamination (ZeroDelam) or edge blow outs in the tip of our skis.

On top of that, we have also doubled the thickness of our bases and edges (DoubleThick). They are about twice the thickness of industry standards, making the base “bomb proof” and minimizing edge cracks. Through these changes we’ve been able to achieve a very tough product, while keeping a lightweight ski that rides tight.

What motivated you to make those changes?

When we first started building skis, we noticed that everybody we rode with had delaminated tips, blown out edges, edges cracking underfoot and more. Most manufacturers make a terrain park ski, that doesn’t necessarily hold up in the streets. We’re at the frontier of a sport that thrives on progression. So, it would be silly to slow that down by not offering skiers the equipment they need to progress.

What do you think will come next in terms of ski design?

We think the important question to ask is not what’s next in ski technology, but rather, “what’s next in the sport of skiing as a whole?” We believe that consistently pushing the boundaries of skiing will lead us to our next designs.

You’ve recently started a Kickstarter campaign in hopes to fund your most recent ventures. What do you see as the best reward on the page?

We were super excited to release the option to purchase ten custom-graphic skis to the public. We imagine the “Booze Cruise” to be a sweet way for a crew to ride on their own skis, or a shop/company to have their own personalized product. Maybe FREESKIER wants some custom whips? [Laughs]

I’m certainly not opposed to the idea… The “Get in the van” reward seems a bit intimidating. Any backlash on that one?

Riding in the van is not for the weak or faint-of-heart. Guaranteed same day delivery though. [Laughs]

Where do you see HG Skis in the next five years?

We will continue on the path of creating and delivering the most durable ski products possible. Skiing is in a very unique state, where there is a giant separation between disciplines. Creativity and style are finally proving to be a contender against the “spin to win” mindset. We will continue to attempt to push skiing back to the future.

You have yet another full-­length movie coming out this year. What and who can we expect to see?

We filmed a ton this year. You can expect full-parts from Cole Gibson, Connor Gaeta, Christian Franchino and Jim Amodeo. Spoiler alert: Jim’s in the running for lip-on, blind-two of the year, while Connor’s part has one 270 out, the biggest spin of his part. We hired an intern named Tazer to lug a TRV900 camera around for most of the year.

With support from Tall T Productions, Shred Optics, and Shearer Chevrolet, Vermont, we had the freedom to film all winter on the road. This allowed for us to travel to more locations than ever before. You’ll see content drop this summer, leading up to the film’s Fall release.

HG Skis’ full-length 2014 film 5 to 9

Final shout outs?

We would like to say thank you to everyone who has and will back our Kickstarter campaign. You are keeping us doing what we do. We certainly don’t do it for the money, but it takes some to stay afloat. Even the smaller donations mean a lot to us.

Related: Take a ride through the park with HG Skis in all-new edit Lock Down