Built using lots of natural, sustainable materials, this is a hugely satisfying ski for everyday use and a wide public. For skiers looking for a ski to improve both their ability and their confidence
- Buyer’s Guide reviews
- In words
- Technical specifications
Buyer’s Guide reviews
The charts show our impressions from testing
Product info
Category average
In words
Intro
WNDR began six years ago in Utah, the brainchild of 4FRNT founder Mat Sterbenz, who wanted to manufacture skis without using any fossil fuel-derived materials. The aspen core is encased in a layer of AlgalTech microalgae-derived polyurethane. Its construction also features a reinforcement plate at the mount point, which uses materials recycled from the production process. The collection includes four models, from 88 to 120 mm, all available both either with a full rocker or a positive camber at the waist, depending on your preferred terrain and personal taste.
On the snow
Since we tested the first WNDR models years ago, they have made incredible progress. The Vital 98, which we tested with positive camber, is a truly satisfying everyday ski for a large swathe of skiers. It's a great choice for those looking for a ski to improve both their ability and their confidence. Not a ski for gram counters, though this gives it a feel of stability and solidity on crud and chop, where a little extra heft never goes amiss. It comes into its own on medium turns and moderate speeds, turn initiation is incredibly intuitive, just lean slightly on the tip and away you go. The tail never hooks, even on crust, and is supportive, helping if you sit back thanks to the nicely balanced rocker. On the uphill the extra weight doesn't create problems, it does well as long as you're not up against the clock.
Lab
Almost flat, more concave at the tail, ok after ten passes through the machine. No structure or wax. Reasonably good edges 2.1 x 1.6 mm at 90°, the base edge is uneven. Overall finish needs work, due to rust edges and sloppy grinding. Tuning essential.
Technical specifications
Construction
cap-sidewall
Materials
Algal Core, aspen
Available sizes
159, 165, 171, 177, 183, 189
Released in
2023
Made in
United States
Declared specsMeasured by us
We measured the length 183 to get all the details
183 cm
Length
XXXXX
126 cm
Tip width
XXXXX
117 cm
Tail width
XXXXX
98 cm
Waist width
XXXXX
N/A
Edge contact
XXXXX
N/A
Camber
XXXXX
N/A
Tip rocker
XXXXX
N/A
Tail rocker
XXXXX
1.750 g
Individual weight
XXXXX
N/A
Left weight
XXXXX
N/A
Right weight
XXXXX
19,5 m
Sidecut radius
XXXXX
N/A
Load-bearing surface
XXXXX
N/A
Tip torsion
XXXXX
N/A
Center torsion
XXXXX
N/A
Tail torsion
XXXXX
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