BPM Summer Build Workshop
BPM is excited to release our summer build workshop! If you love skiing and want to extend your ski season this is the perfect way! There are only a few companies in North America that offer an experience like this.
What is the build class? BPM will guide you through the process of making your own personal custom pair of skis . No experience is necessary and you can do as much (or as little) of the process as you choose. You will select the wood you want to use, glue components, prep bases, fit and attach edges, layup and press, and finish the skis. When the skis are complete you get to remove the protective layer and sign your name as the ski smith that made the ski!
There is no explanation of how you will feel the first time you put them on!
Q&A
What is the cost of the class? $950
How long is the class? It will take approximately 2 days (4-5 hours each) day depending on how things progress.
What can I pick for a ski? Any stock BPM ski. All of the components are pre programmed into our CNC which cuts down on the actual time it takes to make them.
What do I need to bring? Nothing but a good attitude! All the proper PPE is included. We usually tell people not to wear good clothing, as this can get messy!
Before Class Begins
Ski Type Selection
After joining the class you will need to select which ski you would like to build. Depending on your skiing ability, where you ski, or personal requests BPM will help you get set up with a model/length of ski. You can find the our models/ lengths at https://www.bpmskis.com/shop/
Graphics
All Summer build classes include custom graphics and up to 2 hours of graphic design. The graphic is one part that BPM has to pre-make due to time constraints. This graphic will need to be finalized at least one week in advance of your build dates.
Day 1
Introductions/shop tour
The goal is to introduce each other and familiarize with the students’ experience level. Ski making includes a lot of basic woodworking tools that are commonly learned. It’s also important to go over the required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
Wood selection/preparing the core
One of the ski’s main components is the core. BPM will provide a finished ski core due to time constraints, but will go over how its made and what we are looking for and how changing features affects performance.
Bases/Edges
The bases will be cut out of a long roll of sintered UHMWPE (the good stuff!) on our router as well. The base will need to be deburred and prepped. The edges come in coil stock and will need to be cut to length and hand fitted using a Dremel tool and some bending equipment.
Other Components
Fiberglass and VDS tape is cut to length. Our tipfill and the text on the base will be pre-cut before class, but will need to be deburred.
The Layup
The layup is the process in which all the components come together to make a big glob of wood, plastic, and metal which will soon be your skis. You will be dry fitting these components together and verifying the proper press dimensions before assembling your skis. Once everything is prepped you will put it all together with epoxy and will be put in our press under high pressure and heat until cured.
Day 2
Finishing
Your skis are now cured and ready to be cut out of the sandwich. We highly recommend wearing long sleeves as the fiberglass cut beyond this point will make you very itchy. The skis will be cut out using a jigsaw and ran through various shaping devices to get to the final product. We will help extensively in this area as some of the jigs can be difficult to use. The edges will be sharpened and the base will be ground. All of this will be followed by waxing the bases and removing the protective layer. At this point your skis are complete and ready to ride! If bindings are wanted they can be provided/mounted at this point as well!
Ready to Build your Own Skis?
Want to join the class? That’s great! Please check back in the spring as we release the available dates for our workshops. If you don’t see any dates that will work for you, you can contact Steve directly and we will try our best to accommodate your schedule.