Jonah Williams ditching RMU?

China means nothing for ski quality, though it does mean that money is going to a Chinese dude who may have never seen snow instead of the guys who build ON3Ps or the factory workers in Austria who make Atomic, Salomon, Rossignol, Armada, etc. That is a legitimate argument.
But I work with K2 and Line in the shop every day, and they make quality skis. Line has always had a fair number of models that were meant to be cheap jib skis, such as the Afterbang. But K2 has models like the Shreditor 102, which is a sick ski, as is the Pinnacle. People fucking love that ski.
But you know who builds skis with shitty bases? RMU. You can feel the letter cutouts, which makes for low spots that are difficult to wax, and the bases are hairy. It's dope that they support these guys, but I kinda don't blame Jonah for leaving for Atomic
Much respect to Tall T Dan, but you're wrong about big ski companies. They support (free)skiing skiing a lot too. ON3P makes dope skis, but it is impossible for them to offer the cheap entry level park skis (and regular skis) that the big players do. Thus the big guys play a major role in lowering the bar for entry, which is a good thing, because it keeps skiing going. And they support big contests like Nine Knights, and people like the Wells family and Nimbus and other ski media all the time. There is no evil empire in skiing business. It simply doesn't exist.
Both smaller companies and big players have an important role to play, but companies that make shitty skis have no place anywhere.

p-foChina means nothing for ski quality, though it does mean that money is going to a Chinese dude who may have never seen snow i

This point is plain wrong. There seems to be a misconception that since China manufacturers a certain good, then the majority of the profits go to China. Now there isn't a model for the ski industry, so I'm just going to use an Iphone as an example. And I'm sure you will get the gist. Photo speaks for itself.

I really hope Jonah just broke or forgot his skis or something and that's why he's on atomics so you guys had this huge argument for nothing.




But also I can't remember who said this but someone commented saying how big companies can experience with base materials making them better. I have nothing against companies like atomic, cause I want some bent chets really bad, but I will say I have never seen better base materials than smaller brands like ON3P, kitten factory, etc.

TallxTdefinitely good to note that. you are part of a shifted section of the core depending on the type of freeskiing you are into. For boots and bindings there isn't even a debate. small ski companies don't have the ability to try yet.

Not only is there that side of it, but when you're talking about big vs. little brands you have to consider even though smaller brands are 100% dedicated to freeskiing, a larger company with legs in different parts of the market will still probably invest a larger sum into freeskiing. A company like HG or Vishnu employs less than 10 people and can afford to sponsor a handful of athletes, but a larger company like Atomic or Solomon employs reps, graphic designers, ski engineers, etc. who are all people that are working a job they love in the ski industry as a result of your spending. There are differences in distribution to consider as well, where smaller companies make all their sales online, the skis from big companies are sold in stores and help pay the checks of store owners, shop salesmen, shop techs, etc. who are all local "core" people. I personally would rather have the money I spend go towards many different people working many different parts of the process. It's not like all revenue goes towards racing or executives, people much lower down still get paid and money is still invested in R&D, only a portion of the profits will go that high up the chain, and considering the rest I can live with that.

TallxTI'm not really knockin Jonah here as your responses seem to be in response to. I know Jonah has to eat, believe me. My point is that Jonah has the recognition to give a brand like RMU the opportunity, now that isn't more beneficial to Jonah but its better for our sect of skiing in the long run. I don't blame him for taking the check. I'm just bringing awareness to possible implications of decisions like this.


Yeah i feel what your'e saying. My opinion on the whole smaller ski company debate is that there is far too much competition in this small market that is skiing... its very unlikely for the small ski companies to make a nice enough profit where they'd dump money back into the industry (not sure why they would do that/ what they would put their money into). These companies are competing against major manufactures that have been around for decades, and they've been around because they are good quality skis.

is this the kid that had his picture taken in hoods bathroom while he was barefoot brushing his teeth? can't blame him for selling out lol

HP123is this the kid that had his picture taken in hoods bathroom while he was barefoot brushing his teeth? can't blame him for selling out lol

Jonah is skiing and doing what he loves. You work a job you hate just for the money. So who's the sellout?

Abu-BaghdadiJonah is skiing and doing what he loves. You work a job you hate just for the money. So who's the sellout?

who says I hate my job?

HP123who says I hate my job?

chances are you hate your job

He's riding look bindings so probably not sponsored yo.

Abu-Baghdadichances are you hate your job

chances are you hate your job and you make minimum wage so whose the sour turd?

I talked to Jonah the other day at PC and he said he was just trying them out to see how they feel

HP123chances are you hate your job and you make minimum wage so whose the sour turd?

off course I hate my job. I'm 19, and at uni. What person likes their job? But I'm also not calling him a sellout for chasing that money

klutchedNot only is there that side of it, but when you're talking about big vs. little brands you have to consider even though smaller brands are 100% dedicated to freeskiing, a larger company with legs in different parts of the market will still probably invest a larger sum into freeskiing. A company like HG or Vishnu employs less than 10 people and can afford to sponsor a handful of athletes, but a larger company like Atomic or Solomon employs reps, graphic designers, ski engineers, etc. who are all people that are working a job they love in the ski industry as a result of your spending. There are differences in distribution to consider as well, where smaller companies make all their sales online, the skis from big companies are sold in stores and help pay the checks of store owners, shop salesmen, shop techs, etc. who are all local "core" people. I personally would rather have the money I spend go towards many different people working many different parts of the process. It's not like all revenue goes towards racing or executives, people much lower down still get paid and money is still invested in R&D, only a portion of the profits will go that high up the chain, and considering the rest I can live with that.

Again, all that can still happen without your money because the newcomers and weekend warriors are supporting those brands. But the smaller brands won't get their support, which inset they need ours. It's not a lesser of two evils, it's a better of two goods!

Abu-BaghdadiBut I'm also not calling him a sellout for chasing that money

you probably have something wrong with your brain

HP123you probably have something wrong with your brain

Great way to distract the conversation with an ad hominem attack. Enjoy getting all butthurt because a skier changed sponsors. God forbid, they want to eat more than just ramon noodles

I've seen a few comments on here saying things like, "I don't blame Jonah for taking the check"... I wish there was a dang check involved! Hahah.. Nicky Keefer (maybe you've heard of him) had an extra pair in my size and he was kind enough to let me inherit them.

As of now, I'm not even talking to Atomic, I just needed skis. I didn't have any skis that I could go hit a big jump on (ex. WCS10), and I desperately needed something to ski and film on. RMU is a great company, and I have a great respect for the guys in charge, but they couldn't provide me with the skis I needed. In their defense, I jumped on the team pretty last minute and they didn't have a budget lined up to provide 3 dudes (Ben, Ethan, and I) with as many Rippah's as we wanted. Once my Rippah's broke, the rest were sold out, and they weren't making more until this summer. RMU sent me a few pairs of the new Apostle in different widths to ski in the park (I was riding them in the 5 questions). They are awesome skis, especially all over the mountain, but not my type of ski for the park. I'm a taller kid, and I break soft skis pretty quickly. RMU did their very best to help me out, but I had to make a tough decision to move on. Mainly because I had WCS10 coming up, plus other park shoots with J Cal, and I needed/wanted some solid park skis ASAP.

That being said, the ski industry is a very interesting community to be a part of... I've been trying for a few years now to get a travel budget big enough so that I don't have to work, and can just ski and provide tons of content to you all. It's not easy, I thought that because I had a great season last year (in terms of exposure within the ski community), that my sponsors would finally be willing to pay me so that I wouldn't have to work in a ski shop anymore.. That wasn't the case. I put together a season plan of everything I'd like to do and tried to provide my sponsors with valid reasons why it would be a good idea to pay me. In return, Saga said no, so I moved on. Salomon said no, so I moved on, etc. Jiberish has helped me out a bit with travel this season, but Dragon is my only sponsor that pays me anything.. And it's just enough to pay my truck payment every month. Which is awesome, and I appreciate it to the fullest! But then I still have vehicle and health insurance, credit card bills, food, rent, etc. And speaking of rent, I lived in my truck all season, and stayed at Grandma's house when I was in town. Just because I wanted to film skiing and literally can't afford it if I don't work full time. But I can't work full time and ski full time. So it seems I have a long way to go until 'I made it'. Hell, Jacob Callaghan doesn't even get paid for filming skiing! We filmed all season with no budget for a movie that we might get nothing out of.. It's a struggle, but a good struggle. I ski because I looove to ski. I'm learning alot through all this, and I'll always ski no matter what. But just a small amount of support goes a long way. So thank you to everyone! The fact that someone made this thread, means that some of you guys care, and that's pretty awesome. :)

This is an old thread, so maybe no one will see this comment, which is just fine. Maybe it won't make sense either, I've been blending together this jumble of words while sitting in my truck outside the laundromat in Mt. Hood, Oregon. To those of you who do read it, help me figure out how to get the small dogs paid...

Jonah

And another quick FYI... For a lot of us skier kids trying to make it, it isn't about the money. We know that the chances of us making a living off this are very low. Buuuuut skiing is so cool, and so fun, that's why we all do it! We just want to be able to do what we love for a few years without worrying about whether or not we will have money for food next week, or if we need to go back to Grandmas house to replenish. Yes of course, I could go get a real job and make plenty of money, but that's beside the point.

Cheers!

hell yeah Jonah, appreciate the clarification. keep slaying and those funds will be up in no time. stay stoked

Jonah_wAnd another quick FYI... For a lot of us skier kids trying to make it, it isn't about the money. We know that the chances of us making a living off this are very low. Buuuuut skiing is so cool, and so fun, that's why we all do it! We just want to be able to do what we love for a few years without worrying about whether or not we will have money for food next week, or if we need to go back to Grandmas house to replenish. Yes of course, I could go get a real job and make plenty of money, but that's beside the point.

Cheers!

Well said, you have a new fan in myself. Just watched "First Grade" keep it up your style is sick and unique.

Utmost respect for the response. Ima hit you up and we'll scheme a way to get you that check.

Jonah_wAnd another quick FYI... For a lot of us skier kids trying to make it, it isn't about the money. We know that the chances of us making a living off this are very low. Buuuuut skiing is so cool, and so fun, that's why we all do it! We just want to be able to do what we love for a few years without worrying about whether or not we will have money for food next week, or if we need to go back to Grandmas house to replenish. Yes of course, I could go get a real job and make plenty of money, but that's beside the point.

Cheers!

coolest cat in the game

Jonah_wAnd another quick FYI... For a lot of us skier kids trying to make it, it isn't about the money. We know that the chances of us making a living off this are very low. Buuuuut skiing is so cool, and so fun, that's why we all do it! We just want to be able to do what we love for a few years without worrying about whether or not we will have money for food next week, or if we need to go back to Grandmas house to replenish. Yes of course, I could go get a real job and make plenty of money, but that's beside the point.

Cheers!

Keep killing it man. Huge fan of the skiing, and the attitude I've seen from you. I expect great things!


And if you ever make it back out to Schweitz or Targhee, I'd love to shoot with the other Williams brother!

Jonah_wAnd another quick FYI... For a lot of us skier kids trying to make it, it isn't about the money. We know that the chances of us making a living off this are very low. Buuuuut skiing is so cool, and so fun, that's why we all do it! We just want to be able to do what we love for a few years without worrying about whether or not we will have money for food next week, or if we need to go back to Grandmas house to replenish. Yes of course, I could go get a real job and make plenty of money, but that's beside the point.

Cheers!

Keep killing it man. Huge fan of the skiing, and the attitude I've seen from you. I expect great things!


And if you ever make it back out to Schweitz or Targhee, I'd love to shoot with the other Williams brother!

Jonah_wAnd another quick FYI... For a lot of us skier kids trying to make it, it isn't about the money. We know that the chances of us making a living off this are very low. Buuuuut skiing is so cool, and so fun, that's why we all do it! We just want to be able to do what we love for a few years without worrying about whether or not we will have money for food next week, or if we need to go back to Grandmas house to replenish. Yes of course, I could go get a real job and make plenty of money, but that's beside the point.

Cheers!

Jonah #1. Best person in skiing, and quickly heading towards best skier in skiing, too.

TallxTUtmost respect for the response. Ima hit you up and we'll scheme a way to get you that check.

If you're serious...respect.

mat_espoIf you're serious...respect.

I know I joke around a lot but when it comes to business I'm serious. Moves are being made.

Jonah_wAnd another quick FYI... For a lot of us skier kids trying to make it, it isn't about the money. We know that the chances of us making a living off this are very low. Buuuuut skiing is so cool, and so fun, that's why we all do it! We just want to be able to do what we love for a few years without worrying about whether or not we will have money for food next week, or if we need to go back to Grandmas house to replenish. Yes of course, I could go get a real job and make plenty of money, but that's beside the point.

Cheers!

the most respect to you g. this is what kids just don't get: NOBODY is doing this for money, and if you are, just stop skiing

I dont know how to feel about anything in the ski industry anymore so im just going to buy some amplids and give my money to those damn europeans

sticky thread for Jonah ski sponsor ?

eheathWe could probably arrange this.

"Suck one dick get labeled for life"this also would be the most play eheath ever got .. So make sure you come through with the goods.

Skiers have gotten funding through crowd sourcing before. Unfortunate if it comes to that, but it could provide the necessary boost......in compensation, put out a series or something.

A pretty recent SU winner can't get a reliable ski sponsor, what a time to be alive.

p-foBut I work with K2 and Line in the shop every day, and they make quality skis. Line has always had a fair number of models that were meant to be cheap jib skis, such as the Afterbang. But K2 has models like the Shreditor 102, which is a sick ski, as is the Pinnacle. People fucking love that ski.
But you know who builds skis with shitty bases? RMU. You can feel the letter cutouts, which makes for low spots that are difficult to wax, and the bases are hairy.

You can very much feel the letter cutouts on Line and K2 skis, along with every other diecut ski ever made.

Jonah_wThis is an old thread, so maybe no one will see this comment, which is just fine. Maybe it won't make sense either, I've been blending together this jumble of words while sitting in my truck outside the laundromat in Mt. Hood, Oregon. To those of you who do read it, help me figure out how to get the small dogs paid...

Jonah

I got you as far as shoes go...

FUUUCKA pretty recent SU winner can't get a reliable ski sponsor, what a time to be alive.

First Superunknown winner here, STILL ALIVE , only one sponsor tho

VANULARFirst Superunknown winner here, STILL ALIVE , only one sponsor tho

still the illest too.

Lets be real though given the conversation of this thread...the ski industry for the most part, and pretty much any other industry revolves around MONEY.

If racing brings in 100x what freeskiing does....Atomic, Salomon, etc aren't going to even consider cutting / adding to freeskiing anymore than they currently are.

Companies wouldn't keep freeskiers signed on their teams, develop product, etc if it didn't bring back a positive return on capital. That being said...freeskiing appeals to a much much much slimmer audience in the ski world (corporate sponsors, tv appeal, etc) than freeskiing. I'm sure they have done many many cost analysis's on how much it is worth to put into the freeskiing business in order to get a healthy profit for what they are looking for.

KravtZThat being said...freeskiing appeals to a much much much slimmer audience in the ski world (corporate sponsors, tv appeal, etc) than freeskiing.

What?

VANULARFirst Superunknown winner here, STILL ALIVE , only one sponsor tho

Someone needs to hook Corey Up !! Ns tell the ski companies what you wanna see..

VANULARFirst Superunknown winner here, STILL ALIVE , only one sponsor tho

RIOT

.lenconI really hope Jonah just broke or forgot his skis or something and that's why he's on atomics so you guys had this huge argument for nothing.




But also I can't remember who said this but someone commented saying how big companies can experience with base materials making them better. I have nothing against companies like atomic, cause I want some bent chets really bad, but I will say I have never seen better base materials than smaller brands like ON3P, kitten factory, etc.

Lmao What does better mean to you? Base materials are basically the same across all companies. There's different grades, 2001, 4001, 8001, and you have sinterered and extruded. Most are sintered 2001 or 4001. The 2001 or 4001 Is basically just hardness so it doesn't mean a whole lot. Other than that it's just the manufacturer and there's basically just crown plastics. There are other brands but I would say crown is the most widely used. Even so, it's just the same thing from different manufacturers. Bases really don't vary that much I'd say. Not the point of this thread, but I thought I'd say it anyway.

sneekLmao What does better mean to you? Base materials are basically the same across all companies. There's different grades, 2001, 4001, 8001, and you have sinterered and extruded. Most are sintered 2001 or 4001. The 2001 or 4001 Is basically just hardness so it doesn't mean a whole lot. Other than that it's just the manufacturer and there's basically just crown plastics. There are other brands but I would say crown is the most widely used. Even so, it's just the same thing from different manufacturers. Bases really don't vary that much I'd say. Not the point of this thread, but I thought I'd say it anyway.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah thanks for trying to give me a lesson, I know about bases

Dude there's a HUGE difference in a base from ON3P and then a base from Armada. I ski at a resort nicknamed "the Rock" for how rocky it is, all my friends armadas and all the skis I've had in the past needed base repair, the ON3Ps didn't, just minor scratches. Super fast and holds wax well. There's a big difference in bases

.lenconHahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah thanks for trying to give me a lesson, I know about bases

Dude there's a HUGE difference in a base from ON3P and then a base from Armada. I ski at a resort nicknamed "the Rock" for how rocky it is, all my friends armadas and all the skis I've had in the past needed base repair, the ON3Ps didn't, just minor scratches. Super fast and holds wax well. There's a big difference in bases

Dude I build skis. I know about this stuff. It's a lot more how they're built than what they're built with.

Bases that hold wax better are just different grades because of softness.

.lenconHahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah thanks for trying to give me a lesson, I know about bases

Dude there's a HUGE difference in a base from ON3P and then a base from Armada. I ski at a resort nicknamed "the Rock" for how rocky it is, all my friends armadas and all the skis I've had in the past needed base repair, the ON3Ps didn't, just minor scratches. Super fast and holds wax well. There's a big difference in bases

armada bases probably don't hold up as well because armada is a much bigger company than on3p, so their process has to be quicker, and because they use die cut bases, where on3p doesn't. on3p's bases are printed as I'm sure you know.

sneekDude I build skis. I know about this stuff. It's a lot more how they're built than what they're built with.

Bases that hold wax better are just different grades because of softness.

building skis doesn't make you an expert dude...

and you're right it is how they're built, but you see smaller companies tend to build them better

If you see in my original post I said I find that smaller companies have better bases, sure you can say it's the same material but they still ski better

Then we're both right, because you said you noticed a difference in materials, which for me meant that it was what they were using, not how they were putting it in the ski. I did say that the quality difference is probably due to the fact that the companies with not as good of base quality tend to be bigger companies.

.lenconbuilding skis doesn't make you an expert dude...

and you're right it is how they're built, but you see smaller companies tend to build them better

If you see in my original post I said I find that smaller companies have better bases, sure you can say it's the same material but they still ski better

Then we're both right, because you said you noticed a difference in materials, which for me meant that it was what they were using, not how they were putting it in the ski. I did say that the quality difference is probably due to the fact that the companies with not as good of base quality tend to be bigger companies.