Construction

WOVN utilizes a combination of unidirectional carbon fiber and flax fiber wrapped above and below Paulownia hardwood cores. The carbon layer gives outstanding resilience and energy return, while the flax layer dissipates chatter and vibration while adding tensile strength and durability. Seamless polyurethane sidewalls absorb chatter and add durability throughout the length of the ski, reducing edge deflection and maximizing ski-to-snow contact. WOVN construction starts with a medium sidecut shape with camber underfoot and a directional rocker. These features combine to offer solid footing on the skin track, powerful turns, and a stable ride through variable conditions and snow types. Sidecuts are progressive through the different lengths in order to maintain a similar ride, no matter what size you choose.
 
Materials - 
Through research, experimentation, and intentional design, we have developed our skis using natural materials that maintain high levels of performance while reducing environmentally intensive inputs. 
 
  • Paulownia is a fast-growing hardwood that has been cultivated in China for over 3,000 years. It is a hardy species that can tolerate poor conditions in a wide variety of growing areas. It is lightweight, rot-resistant, and has a beautiful grain structure that makes it ideal for handicrafts such as furniture, musical instruments, and of course, skis! A single Paulownia tree will produce a cubic meter of hardwood every 8-10 years. This wood can be harvested from the live tree and the tree will grow a new shoot, so a single tree can be harvested continuously. Paulownia cores are the backbone of WOVN skis.
 
Flax Fiber
  • WOVN skis have a majority flax composite construction. Flax fiber is derived from the stalks of flax plants. It provides strength and superior damping qualities in composite layups. This renewable resource fiber provides a lightweight and strong construction with characteristics surpassing that of fiberglass and/or carbon fiber.
  • Additionally, the nano-particles produced when flax fiber is cut or sanded do not carry the same respiratory risk as glass or carbon particles. This allows for a much friendlier workplace environment, and does not present the same hazards to workers.
  • Find out more from our flax composites source: https://www.bcomp.ch/.
Bio-based Resins
  • All WOVN skis are constructed with Entropy Super Sap Resins. Entropy Resins produces USDA Certified Bio-Based resins made from co-products or waste products from other industrial processes. The resins are plant-based and have a lower cumulative energy demand than fossil-fuel based resin systems. Find out more at: https://entropyresins.com/.
Water-based Graphics
  • WOVN skis uses water based pigments as a substitute for conventional epoxy based inks. Because of its water based nature, our graphics require no industrial solvent chemicals for cleanup.
Cork
  • Completely renewable and sustainable, cork helps to deliver better ski to snow contact and exceptional damping qualities - all in a lightweight package.
Balsa
  • As an excellent replacement for many foam core materials, end-grain balsa is widely used in the composites industry. Best known for its use in electricity generating wind turbines, it provides excellent shear properties while maintaining an extremely low weight. At WOVN, we use end-grain balsa in structural applications as a plasticized foam substitute.