FSC CERTIFIED BAMBOO WOOD CORES Virtually all skis and snowboards made today use poplar, a light durable wood that is relatively inexpensive. RAMP is using a core material that is 3 times as hard as poplar, but triple the cost. The result is a core that provides a dramatic improvement on the behavior of the ski. Normally wood cores provide an energetic feel due to their fibrous nature; from an engineering standpoint, the core is the center section of an I-Beam, the composite layers on top and bottom do most of the work. RAMP’s cores are so hard they actually make the ski feel like it has layers of metal but without the bending problems usually found with metal in freeskiing skis. Another great thing about bamboo is how renewable it is. Bamboo harvesting in Asia is notorious for its poor practices—no harvesting management and laminations wrought with formaldehyde. RAMP found a company called Plyboo in California that owns the factory, controls the harvesting, and the resins used. Our cores have Forestry Stewardship Certification, which is very rare with bamboo. We’ve noticed that some companies say they use bamboo cores, but when you look closely, it is usually bamboo strips mixed with poplar or simply a bamboo veneer. We don’t know of another company using full bamboo cores, especially at the level of quality and best practices being described here.
INCREASED EDGE GRIP ON SKIS After extensive testing RAMP is introducing a new sidecut concept called Razor Cut. This new shape drastically increases edge grip on skis. From the midpoint of the boot back the sidecut is straighter where you need cutting power and then becomes curved again for turn shape. This unique shape makes even our widest skis excellent on hard snow.
Since the ’60s skis have been molded using industrial presses that crush downward at 4 atmospheres of pressure forcing the ski layers against camber plates. The resulting layers are pressed into un-natural shapes along the contact length of the ski creating specific sweet spots, & very sensitivity to small variations. RAMP is using a modern vacuum-molding process modeled after aerospace processes. In the vacuum bag, we work with 1 atmosphere of pressure, which distributes forces evenly. Our process allows the layers and materials to retain their natural shapes creating a bigger sweet spot. The result is a high quality, better performing ski that is much easier to use.
The pipe pulls you in like a magnet, the park even stronger. Tricks and monster air, aaahhhhh. The Cork sets you free. With the rock-solid bamboo core and full Kevlar layer, the landings are solid and predictable on the sunny-mushy side of the wall or the shady, rock hard side. The winning combo: Never before seen edge grip on a center-mounted freeski, and early rise in the tip and tail for catch-free landings. Bamboo is nearly four times as hard as the industry standard Poplar or Aspen cores, and bamboo sidewalls are much harder than normal ABS or PTex. Kevlar is doing the work as a bulletproof vest. Rocks and rails can’t penetrate this structure as the Kevlar ties the edges together. The most addicted park and pipe rider will find the Cork committed to being there for them. Just ask Nadia Gonzales, Dania Assaly, or Chris Dakoulas.