Handmade skis offer alternative to big brands

Alex Herbert at Mt Olympus in the Southern Alps testing the bamboo-core skis he makes.

Just as heatwaves sell bikinis, heavy snowfalls mean smoother business for ski makers.

This year's cold winter has been great news for an innovative new company, Kingswood Skis.

The family business - New Zealand's only ski manufacturer - has retailed six models of handmade specialist powder skis through its website since June last year.

Business and marketing manager Kris Herbert said 137 pairs sold in the first year and the bumper ski season was pushing sales up.

"Like it's easier to sell bikinis in summer, it's easier to sell skis when there's lots of good snow.

"It helps build New Zealand's profile for our international orders ... it helps to build the hype all around."

For years the market had been dominated by big-name international manufacturers, such as Salomon, Head and Atomic.

But she said the internet had sparked a global boom in the number of boutique ski producers.

Her husband Alex makes four pairs of skis a week by hand in a factory in Lyttelton.

He said selling online let the company price competitively, without the mark-up of a retail shop.

They sell for between $950 and $1200, depending on the model, and orders are currently backed up, with a four-week waiting list.

The skis attract buyers from around the globe, including Australians, Americans and Europeans.

A second website in Japanese has helped make Japan the company's second-biggest market, behind New Zealand.

The company pioneered the use of a bamboo core, chosen for its strength and ability to absorb shock.

The skis received positive reviews on online discussion websites but some contributors said they would buy a big-name brand - rather than an unknown ski - if they were the same price.

The Herberts replied that their products had been researched and developed for three years before going to market and also carried a two-year warranty.

They aim to continue to make quality skis from local materials - and spend plenty of time on the slopes "product testing".