Wagner Custom designs custom skis and snowboards for perfect skiing experience

Story by Matt Lindberg
Daily Press Writer

PLACERVILLE — For 10 years, Pete Wagner spent his days working as an engineer in the golf industry, developing custom high tech golf clubs and equipment. But his passion wasn't golf, it was skiing.

After saving enough money from his job, Wagner researched the different kinds of skis for months before buying the pair he thought best fit his needs. However, the research hadn’t done him any good and he hated his newly purchased skis.

"I never liked them," Wagner said. "They kept hindering my performance on the slopes."

Although he had wasted his money on skis he would never use again, Wagner was inspired to make sure buying uncomfortable skis never happened to anyone else by opening his own custom ski business, Wagner Custom. The business, which has been open since fall 2006, builds skis to specifications set for an individual skier.

There is a process to developing the custom skis, which starts with a personality test, that allows Wagner to determine what kind of skier a person is and what type of skis will best fit them. Then using a similar design software program he used to make golf equipment, he is able to create a virtual representation of the custom skis for clients. After receiving customer approval, Wagner Custom can manufacture a pair of custom skis in 10 days, which involves cutting the parts precisely, gluing them together carefully and finishing with the customer's own design or graphic. Wagner Custom uses the same process to create custom snowboards as well.

While Wagner Custom has been open just three years, it has seen business increase by a "steady amount." Wagner said he first started the business with his shop in Placerville, before opening kiosks throughout Colorado, in places such as Telluride and Aspen. He said the chatter among his clients has allowed him to bring his business to places he never thought of.

"We're getting orders from all over the world now," Wagner said. "We are making skis for people not just in Colorado, but as far as London, France and Spain."

But the wide range of business isn't what Wagner prides himself in — it's the company's efforts to stay green friendly.

Wagner Custom has been green friendly since its opening, as it gets energy from wind and solar power. Solar panels sit on the roof, which allow radiant heating for the entire building, while wind-generated power helps run lights, computers and other equipment.

The company also tries to stay green when it comes to the ski-making process, as all cleanup is done with a broom. Although Wagner said the business cannot avoid using plastic bases or fiberglass when creating skis, it does try to use the minimal amount of energy it can when using the machines.

"I don't think we're perfect," Wagner said. "But we do try our best to stay green when at all possible, because we want to help maintain a great environment."

Wagner Custom skis are available through the company's Web site, www.Wagnerskis.com.