Timbaer

If you happen to look closely at the region of Appenzell in Switzerland’s coat of arms, you’ll see a bear – which informs the name of this tenacious ski brand. Producing both slalom, race carvers and all-mountain skis, Timbaer skis come in a range of materials, but each benefit from a bamboo core - giving their skis unique flexibility yet sturdiness. The edge of the Timbaer ski is also to be noted – its shape means ultimate grip in icy or powder conditions.

For the ultimate combo of fashion and form, opt for the walnut race carver which has a retro look but also, according to Timbaer, ‘follows in the footsteps of World Cup athletes’, whilst offering stability at high speeds. The natural fibre slalom carver comes in charcoal black and has a sporty sidecut meaning quick turns – you’ll feel like you’re flying.

Bonding over a woodworking apprenticeship, Timbaer owners Andreas Dobler and Dano Waldburger harboured a dream of having their own ski making business. When Dobler created a finely mastered ski for his final project, they inched closer to this ideal. To push their goal into the realms of reality, alongside their shared passion for the winter sport, they invested in a skeleton kit and ski press to develop a prototype.

Young and keen, it wasn’t long before Dobler and Waldburger made a bamboo core which provided freedom but also durability – both factors crucial for the development of successful skis. The next important stage was the advancement of the skis into different models and quickly the slalom and carver were defined. With the investment of new innovative machinery, Timbaer ‘snowballed’ and their knowledge was sought out to create skis for other brands.