He once competed in World Cup races, and in 2018 he returned to the snow as the head coach of the All Japan Alpine Team. The following year, he moved to Innsbruck, Austria, and now Kenta Uraki is developing Kesleski as the general agent in Japan. He will deliver the latest information and interesting topics such as European snow culture, gear and technology from a global perspective from overseas.
Start preparing for winter
In Austria, the latest ski gear is lined up in sports shops in the city to coincide with the start of the Alpine Skiing World Cup at the end of October. Snow begins to pile up on the surrounding mountains, creating a unique atmosphere that signals the arrival of winter. In Japan, too, as November approaches, ski resorts and shops all begin preparing for winter. Many people are probably making plans to finally go skiing this year in Japan's snowy mountains, which are the dream destination of skiers around the world.
Ski gear is essential for preparing for winter. Some hardcore skiers reserve their favorite items at early exhibitions starting in June. However, for many skiers, the best season begins in November, when new models start arriving in stores. Skis, boots, clothing, goggles, gloves - this is the perfect time to start choosing your gear, as new models are released in all categories.
This time, from my perspective as someone who lives in Europe and runs a ski brand in Japan, I would like to share some important points to consider when choosing skis, as well as the skiing situation in Europe and North America.
The first step in choosing skis: Know your level and style
If you're looking for the perfect pair of skis, start by checking out the gear features in ski magazines or researching online. You'll find plenty of useful information on ski lengths, the different environments and styles of skiing (racing, on-piste, off-piste, powder, etc.), and even the characteristics of skis for different levels of ability.
While comparing these, imagine yourself skiing and choose based on your budget. This process itself is already enjoyable. Ski shops across the country have staff with specialized knowledge. If you're unsure, don't hesitate to ask for advice. You're sure to get some good advice.
The most important thing to remember here is to choose skis that are appropriate for your level. It's dangerous to simply assume that "high price = good skis." Advanced models offer high performance, but unless you can maintain a certain level of speed and control the skis in a good position, you won't be able to get the most out of them.
On the other hand, beginner models are easy to control even for beginners, and their relatively light and flexible skis will help you improve your skiing. While height and the type of skiing you do can be clearly quantified, your "own level" is surprisingly vague. Even if you consult someone, first calmly understand your own skiing ability. Starting from there when choosing skis is the quickest way to avoid mistakes.
Cherish the excitement that moves the heart
Even if you understand the key points when choosing skis, there is one more important element to consider: excitement.
In recent years, the weak yen has caused ski prices to rise significantly. That's why, in order to "make a purchase with satisfaction," I think it's important not only to consider performance and specs, but also the excitement that wells up from deep within. Ultimately, the deciding factor should be "emotions" rather than logic. In other words, "does it get me excited?"
I have had a special attachment to skis ever since I was a child. There were nights when I would prop up the skis I was given next to my bed and sleep with my boots on. The brand image, design, color, and coordination with the clothing... The joy of getting a pair of skis that you truly think are "cool!" is priceless. Now that I'm an adult, I've become fascinated by the history and stories behind the brands.
For me, the symbol of excitement is the Austrian ski brand KÄSTLE. It is a brand that I remember fondly, as I wore them when I achieved my best results as an alpine skier, and even now, just seeing the logo gets me excited.
When I found out about the brand's revival in 2018, I couldn't wait any longer, so in 2022 I visited the head office and became the exclusive distributor in Japan. (You can read my previous column about KESLE's revival in Japan here: https://steep.jp/column/101983/ )
This may be a bit of an extreme example (lol), but if you find a pair of skis that you are that attached to, you won't have any trouble choosing skis. I think that the moment when your heart leaps and you think, "This is it!" is the moment when you've found the perfect pair of skis.
Skiing in Europe, North America, and Japan
There are many ski brands, each with a wide variety of genres, including racing, piste, freeride, all-mountain, and freestyle. Preferences also vary by country and region.
In Europe
Europe is the birthplace of skiing, and alpine racing is overwhelmingly popular, especially in Austria and surrounding countries. Here, established brands with proven strengths in alpine skiing, such as Austrian-born Atomic, Head, Fischer, Blizzard, Kessle, which was relaunched in 2018, and France-born Rossignol-Salomon, are very popular.
Other brands that are popular include Germany's Volkl, Italy's Nordica, and Switzerland's Stöckli, which is known for its luxury brands. In Europe, where ski resorts are vast, long-turn models for skiers over 170cm and all-mountain models with waist widths of 70-90mm are the norm. A style of graceful skiing that draws large arcs is preferred over tight turns.
In North America
In North America, the freeride culture is quite prevalent, centered around the vast ski resorts along the Rocky Mountains in the west. In addition to popular European brands, new brands that have emerged since the 2000s, such as K2, the oldest in the US, as well as Armada and DPS, are also gaining momentum.
Freeride models with a waist width of 90mm or more are popular. On snowy mornings, it's common to see skiers flocking to the lifts, hoping to get on the first track. This energetic atmosphere is exactly what you'd expect from North America (and especially the United States).
In Japan
Compared to Europe or North America, I get the impression that there are many skiers in Japan who are sensitive to skiing performance. For skiers who value the finer details of sharp turns, snow grip, and ski performance, short carving skis of around 165cm are popular on the piste. In addition to popular European brands, Ogasaka Skis, based in Nagano Prefecture, has earned a high reputation for its designs and careful finish tailored to Japan's snow conditions.
Japan is also one of the snowiest countries in the world. Its light, dry powder snow has attracted attention from overseas, and freeride models have been growing in popularity in recent years. Another feature of the country is that the amount of snow means you can experience a variety of snow conditions that change daily. Of course, it would be great if you could choose skis that suit the conditions of the day, but even if you could rent them, purchasing and carrying multiple pairs of skis can be a real hurdle.
For such skiers, we recommend freeride models with a waist width of 100mm or less, or all-mountain models that are popular in Europe. These skis are easy to ride in any snow condition, provide stability even at high speeds, and allow you to ride for long periods of time without getting tired while enjoying the scenery. In this way, we recommend choosing skis that prioritize your own enjoyment above all else, rather than skis that are meant to impress others.
The perfect partner to enjoy winter together
My job is to be the exclusive distributor of Kessle in Japan, and to deliver Kessle brand skis and boots to Japanese skiers. In the same way, the people involved in ski brands in Japan work hard all year round to let more people know about the joy of skiing.
Marketing, manufacturing, importing, sales—every step is supported by passion and conviction. However, prices have risen in recent years, mainly due to the weak yen, and it is true that corporate efforts alone have their limits. Still, because we know the excitement, encounters, views, and sense of accomplishment that can be gained through skiing, we spare no effort to deliver high-quality products and wonderful experiences.
Brands, shops, and users. When the passions of these three parties are properly connected, skis become more than just tools; they become the perfect partner for enjoying the winter together. This winter, we hope you will find the "exciting pair of skis" that will surely enrich this winter and your life.