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Last fall, a brand-new ski company emerged from the smoke that promised to turn the ski industry on its head, one ski and one customer at a time. The brainchild of Matt Sterbenz, WNDR Alpine kept it simple at first, creating just a small batch of special skis, the Intention 110. What sets them apart? Well it’s not just the proprietary algae-based composite ski core, it’s the whole mission of the brand: to create a tight-knit community around backcountry skiing.
After selling through their first WNDR production run, Sterbenz and his partner in crime Pep Fujas decided it was time to gather that community together. Anyone who bought one of those first sets of skis was invited to the first annual WNDR Roost – a gathering of like-minded skiers from diverse backgrounds in Utah’s Wasatch mountains. What followed were three days of amazing skiing, conversations spanning everything from ski design to sustainability, and a whole group of new best friends to return with to the backcountry in the future.
What’s special about this? Sure, it’s obvious that backcountry skiing creates a unique community around the sport, but I’ve never seen a brand focus so much effort around “manufacturing” a community. Really, “manufacturing” and its negative connotation might seem like the wrong word here, but WNDR is truly doing its best to shape a responsible, supportive, and highly stoked community – that just happens to all ride the same equipment. In the end, it’s not about said equipment (though the Intention 110 is a damn good ski), but truly about a shared experience in the mountains. The backcountry is there for everyone, and WNDR wants to make sure that we can all enjoy it.
Check out some of the favorite moments from the weekend.
Setting off on the first of many missions of the weekend. Carson Meyer photo.
Somewhere high in the Wasatch. Carson Meyer photo.
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Conditions alternated between bluebird and dumping snow all weekend. Carson Meyer photos.
Pep Fujas is stoked on the new skis and spreading the love of backcountry skiing in the community. Carson Meyer photo.
Chasing your friends is one the best parts of skiing, and the crew happily agrees. Carson Meyer photo.
Checking out where the magic happens at the WNDR factory in Salt Lake City. Carson Meyer photo.
