EN
zai
the zai poem
In the beginning was the mountain Summits and steepness pinnacles and peaks stony, rocky ranges zai finds the line reading the mountain plays in the snow like jackdaws in the sky zai, the tougher ski A titan going his own way not willing to compromise not willing to die — Leo Tuor
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The reasons for riding zai skis remain as compelling as ever. Quite simply, nothing compares.
zai
introduction
Philosophy zai’s goal is reduction to the essential in the quest for natural balance. zai does not follow trend or tradition, but consistently goes its own way in design, materials and construction.
Innovation zai’s visionary approach to product development is unparalleled. By pioneering new construction methods and combining traditional skills with cutting-edge technology, zai redefines the limits of ski design.
Materials zai uses the finest natural and high-tech materials in innovative ways. Wood, stone, natural rubber and unique carbons are selected for durability and performance. A simple, functional aesthetic is created.
Quality zai skis are handcrafted in Switzerland by a small team of skilled craftsmen, all of whom are passionate skiers. All production takes place in the zai factory to ensure outstanding quality and durability.
Performance Nothing compares to the feeling of riding zai. Handling is effortless and refined, with precise control at all speeds. zai skis are designed so that skiers of all ages and abilities can play, explore and discover new limits.
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the zai collection The iconic backbone of the zai range. These skis embrace piste, powder and all-mountain ability. Together they embody the purest expression of the zai philosophy: quality, innovation and performance.
the zai collection
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zai winter 2014–2015 collection
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testa Timeless looks with cutting-edge performance Beneath testa’s elegant walnut surface lies a
in the range has been individually tuned
high-tech structure optimised for effortless
to exhibit a different performance focus.
handling and superior control in a wide
Linking them all is the core zai DNA of
variety of snow conditions. The marriage
smoothness, stability and power.
of natural wood and UD (uni-directional) carbon fibres is so successful it has remained
A rewarding ride for skiers of all abilities,
essentially
testa is built to last. Natural variations in the
unchanged
from
season
to
season. In this way zai testa has become a
wood grain give every ski its own unique
perennial icon of modern ski design.
appearance which, due to the wood’s natural ageing process, will only become
From the agility of the testa 150 to the refined pace of the testa 174, each model
more beautiful over time.
the zai collection
testa
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handcrafting a zai testa ski
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radius in m
width in mm
technical data testa 150
testa 160
testa 174
front
114
122
130
middle
77
73
80
tail
97
102
110
front
10
8
9
middle
16
16
16/9
tail
13
15
15
1300
1440
1600
150
160
174
weight in g
length in cm
testa features zai’s reactive (negativepositive-negative) camber design.
The mid-size testa 160 allows a wide variety of turn radii and curve positions, along with the extra speed and smoothness created
This allows easy adjustment of curve radius
by its greater length. Glide effortlessly or
and delivers increased power when exiting
push the envelope – testa 160 will deliver.
a corner. testa
174
boasts
good
all-mountain
The nimble testa 150 offers breathtaking
ability thank to its generous width, and
turning ability across a wide speed range.
enables strong tilting positions for carving.
Thanks to its natural wood surface the ride
A hugely adaptable ski that will continue
is extremely smooth for a shorter ski.
to reward season after season.
the zai collection
testa
materials SURFACE ■■
Walnut veneer
■■
Hardened steel
■■
Stainless steel upper edges
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character newcomer
slow
powder
advanced
fast
ice
INTERIOR ■■
Dyneema®
■■
UD (unidirectional) carbon fibre
CORE ■■
Cedar wood bonded slats (branchless)
BASE ■■
Nano high-speed race base
■■
HRC50 steel edges
testa is made using sustainably forested Swiss walnut veneer selected for its resilience and damping properties. During pressing the veneer is infused with pre-preg carbon resins, increasing the durability of the wood. Finally it is hand-polished with natural wood oils to achieve a stunning finish. To enhance stability, testa features a midline trim of high-grade steel, the same used in Swiss watch manufacture. Upper edges of stainless steel protect against bumps and scrapes. Both wood and steel can be reworked to a high finish during service.
testa 150
testa 160
testa 174
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spada The world’s only ski with a granite core The only ski in the world to feature a solid
from 10 years of spada production. No two
stone core is now even more exclusive.
spadas are the same: every ski features a
New for Winter 2014–2015, each spada
subtly different motif.
ski now features a unique coloured motif assembled by zai founder Simon Jacomet.
The shock-absorbing vulcanized rubber surface
combines
with
the
damping
In keeping with zai’s focus on sustainable
properties of natural granite from the Swiss
manufacture, the design is created using
Alps, resulting in spada’s famously smooth,
hand-cut natural rubber remnants left over
solid ride.
the zai collection
spada
handcrafted natural rubber surfaces of zai spada skis
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radius in m
width in mm
technical data spada 160
spada 174
front
122
125
middle
73
75
tail
103
105
front
9
8.5
middle
16
16/9
tail
14
15
1480
1640
160
174
weight in g
length in cm
spada’s relatively flat camber and generous
Thanks
to
the
width make it a hugely versatile ski, capable
properties of CFSÂŽ stone and natural
of performing in all types of snow.
rubber,
spada
remarkable delivers
an
damping incredibly
smooth ride, easing impact on the knees A unique multi-radius (varied camber)
and reducing fatigue.
design and different flex zones along the ski’s length deliver superior turning
Generous handling and high tolerance in
ability, whether carving or sliding. The
the turn allows endless freedom for those
ski bites early in the turn but allows easy
willing to play and explore. Even after
adjustment of radius mid-curve.
years of ownership, spada will continue to yield new secrets.
the zai collection
spada
materials
character
SURFACE ■■
Vulcanized natural rubber
■■
Stainless steel upper edges
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newcomer
slow
powder
advanced
fast
ice
INTERIOR ■■
UD (unidirectional) carbon fibre
CORE ■■
Cedar wood bonded slats (branchless)
■■
CFS® stone core
BASE ■■
Nano high-speed race base
■■
HRC50 steel edges
Also available in classic monotone
zai’s research into new materials led in 2006 to the use of CFS® (carbon fibre stone) cores, which have been developed by zai and TechnoCarbon Technologies under exclusive joint venture. CFS® is created by prestressing granite with the use of carbon fibre to make hard rock become flexible. The stone used to add stability and damping to spada is 50 millionyear-old Rofna-Porphyr gneiss from Andeer in the Swiss Alps. A form of granite, it is extremely high-tensile and boasts incredible compressive strength. It is also surprisingly light, with a specific weight equivalent to aluminium.
spada 160
spada 174
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laisa Equally at home on piste and powder, this all-mountain performer expands horizons for the adventurous skier If you’re after a ski with genuine all-mountain
than a conventional freeride ski, and with
ability, zai laisa is for you.
less turbulence. It also performs brilliantly on groomed slopes, thanks to its unique
Packing zai Double Tip® (DT) technology
cut-away tips.
and an innovative multi-radius design, laisa gives you the freedom to roam on and
With excellent all-round perfomance like
off piste with virtually no compromise on
this, it’s no surprise that laisa is a popular
performance. That head-turning shape is
choice among professional ski guides in the
as functional as it is radical. Off piste, laisa
rugged mountains of Graubünden.
cuts through deep snow more effectively
the zai collection
laisa
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laisa takes flight over Disentis
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technical data
radius in m
width in mm
laisa 188 front
129
middle
99
tail
116
front
17.5
middle
20
tail
17.5
weight in g
length in cm
1590
188
The secret to laisa’s all-mountain ability is zai
the snow when carving, and prevents
Double TipÂŽ technology. The tapered nose
grabbing during hard turns.
section cuts through deep snow and creates uplift for the wider tip section, causing
Thanks to its ultra-lightweight carbon
the ski to float over powder with far less
construction laisa tips the scales at just
turbulence and loss of momentum than a
1590g, making it an ideal ski for trekking and
conventional shovel tip ski.
touring. The low weight also contributes to nimble handling on and off piste.
On piste, the distinctive shape allows the edges of the ski to make full contact with
the zai collection
laisa
materials SURFACE ■■
zaiíra®
■■
Vulcanized natural rubber
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character newcomer
slow
powder
advanced
fast
ice
INTERIOR ■■
Dyneema®
■■
zaiíra®
CORE ■■
Cedar wood bonded slats (branchless)
BASE ■■
Nano high-speed race base
■■
HRC50 steel edges
Available colours: laisa’s eye-catching surface is made from zaiíra®, an ultralightweight carbon material developed by zai. zaiíra® contains UD carbon fibres, which make it more shock-absorbent than conventional carbon fibre compounds. Strips of zaiíra® are arranged by hand in different directions and layers. This not only results in a very strong, lightweight structure, but allows varied calibration of torsion along the ski’s length. The vulcanized natural rubber trim around the top surface helps protect against scrapes and adds further damping. The trim is available in three bold colours: orange, blue and green.
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nezza Sometimes the difference is not what you add, but what you leave out Now in its third iteration, nezza is the
The latest version is a more user-friendly
ultimate embodiment of zai’s ‘reduction to
creature. Built around a lightweight ash and
the essential’ manufacturing ethos. What
poplar core, it offers superb performance
began life as an experimental stroke of
across a wide variety of piste conditions.
Simon Jacomet’s pen has evolved into one of the most iconic ski designs ever made.
nezza’s revolutionary swallowtail design removes weight at the ends of the ski
The original nezza was honed from a
without reducing length. As a result, it
single
fibre
combines the lightness and agility of a
uncompromising,
short ski with the smoothness, stability and
aggressive performance on hard snow its
speed of a longer one. Truly a case of ‘less
fans christened it the ‘devil ski’.
is more’.
and
piece delivered
of
zaiíra® such
carbon
the zai collection
nezza
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nezza swallowtail concept
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technical data
radius in m
width in mm
nezza 177 front
129.5
middle
78.5
tail
109
front
8/9
middle
16/9
tail
15
weight in g
1550
length in cm
177
The new edition nezza features a bonded
and enabling effortless turn response.
ash and poplar wood slat core for improved
Input from the skier is instant and easily
weight
controlled.
reduction.
At
1550g
without
bindings it is 100g lighter than the outgoing model. The standard 177 size is chosen for optimum smoothness and stability.
When skiing on rougher snow surfaces, nezza’s split tail operates like a suspension system on a car. The edges of the ski move
nezza’s unique construction works by
independently from each other, absorbing
distributing weight to the centre of the
bumps and neutralising lateral twist.
ski, creating a low moment of inertia
the zai collection
nezza
materials SURFACE ■■
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character newcomer
slow
powder
advanced
fast
ice
zaiíra®
INTERIOR ■■
zaiíra®
CORE ■■
Ash and poplar wood bonded slats (branchless)
BASE ■■
Nano high-speed race base
■■
HRC50 steel edges
nezza’s distinctive surface texture is created using zaiíra®, a hightech carbon composite designed by zai specifically for use in ski building. The surface is created by arranging sections of zaiíra® in overlapping layers, resulting in an incredibly tough structure with excellent torsion longevity. The carbon fibre layers reflect light in different ways, creating an attractive shimmering effect on the snow. The surface can be reworked, and because every nezza is handcrafted, each one has its own unique look.
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scadin Introducing a new era of innovation in piste skis New for Winter 2014–2015, scadin sees
scadin
is
handcrafted
zai returning to its racing roots in style.
materials
Designed for high speed skiing on groomed
felt surface — a world first in ski design.
snow, scadin combines agile, race-focused
This natural material provides excellent
including
high-end
unique
pressed
handling with the outstanding smoothness
damping
and stability you expect from a zai ski.
reworked during service.
Available in 166, 177 and 188 sizes, this ski’s
Race-bred yet refined, zai scadin will delight
exhilarating performance has already won
skiers who love to push the boundaries in
the approval of pro skiers, including former
total control.
Olympic and World Cup racers.
and
a
using
durability,
and
can
be
the zai collection
scadin
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scadin 166 with natural felt surface
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radius in m
width in mm
technical data scadin 166
scadin 177
scadin 188
front
123
114
109
middle
74
70
69
tail
100
97
96
front
8/9
9/15
14
16/17.5
23/19.5
21/26
tail
15.5
15
19.5
weight in g
1660
1700
1700
166
177
188
middle
length in cm
zai scadin is available in three individually
with
increased
engineered sizes. Performance properties
smoother ride
drifting
ability
and
a
differ subtly from model to model: scadin 188 offers effortless handling at all scadin 166 delivers race handling across
speeds with increased tolerance for mid-
a wide speed range, from cruise to high
turn adjustments, responding easily and
speed slalom turns. Its generous width
precisely.
allows extreme carving. For experienced skiers an optional racing scadin 177 is suited to medium to long
binding plate is available for even more
radius turns across a wide speed range,
extreme carving.
the zai collection
scadin
materials SURFACE ■■
Pressed felt
■■
Stainless steel upper edges
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character newcomer
slow
powder
advanced
fast
ice
INTERIOR ■■
UD (unidirectional) carbon fibre
■■
zaiíra®
CORE ■■
Ash and poplar wood
BASE ■■
Nano high-speed racing base
■■
HRC50 stainless steel edges
scadin’s groundbreaking felt surface is the result of several years of research and development at zai. Lightweight, durable, shockabsorbing and easy to rework, it is the ideal material for a premium racing ski. Felt is made from natural wool fibre which, when pressed using a special process, forms a highly resilient material. The soft-touch zai logo on scadin’s tip shows the felt in its orginal, unpressed form. Inside scadin is a lightweight poplar and ash core and a reinforcing layer of zaiíra® carbon fibre. Hardened stainless steel upper edges protect against scratches and can be re-ground during service.
scadin 166
scadin 177
scadin 188
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zai special edition zai special edition skis are designed and built from the ground up to bespoke specifications. They offer the quality and performance of zai while evoking the spirit of our very special partners.
zai special edition
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zai for Bentley
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zai for Bentley The world’s most refined ski Just like a Bentley car, zai for Bentley
rubber surface provides extra damping on
is
of
icy snow. Like the rugged stainless steel
unsurpassed smoothness, stability and
upper edges, the surface can be reworked
speed. Key to its performance is a reactive
to keep the ski in showroom condition.
handcrafted
to
deliver
a
ride
camber design, with varying flex zones that deliver remarkable turning ability whether
Peerless on the piste, zai for Bentley’s
carving or drifting.
generous width also offers impressive all-
The stainless steel diamond motif, inspired
with an exclusive zai for Bentley ski bag,
by Bentley’s iconic matrix grille, adds
and matching carbon poles with stitched
stiffness and distributes tension along
leather grips and embroidered Bentley logo.
mountain performance. It comes complete
the ski, while the scratch-resistant natural
zai special edition
zai for Bentley
radius in m
width in mm
technical data front
130
middle
80
tail
110
front
9
middle
16
tail
17
weight in g
1840
length in cm
172
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character newcomer
slow
powder
advanced
fast
ice
materials SURFACE ■■
Vulcanized rubber
■■
Hardened steel
■■
Stainless steel upper edges
INTERIOR ■■
zaiíra®
■■
UD (unidirectional) carbon fibre
CORE ■■
Cedar wood bonded slats (branchless)
BASE ■■
Nano high-speed race base
■■
HRC50 steel edges
Available colours:
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zai for Franco Built to the standards of a World Cup skier Franco Cavegn is a native of Graubünden
fibre and an ultra-lightweight cedar wood
and a highly respected figure in Swiss
core. The natural rubber and stainless steel
skiing. In a career spanning 16 years he
surface adds durability and damping.
competed in three Winter Olympics and seven World Ski Championships, achieving
zai for Franco is available in 160, 166 and
35 top ten finishes.
174 sizes. Each model is individually tuned for power, agility and speed — just like the
Franco’s bespoke ski is made from the finest materials including Dyneema®, UD carbon
athlete who inspired it.
zai special edition
zai for Franco
character
Franco 160
Franco 166
Franco 174
radius in m
width in mm
technical data
front
122
120
125
middle
73
73
75
tail
103
100
105
front
9
9
8.5
middle
16
15
16/19
tail
14
13
15
1450
1620
166
174
weight in g 1440 length in cm
160
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newcomer
slow
powder
advanced
fast
ice
materials SURFACE ■■
Vulcanized natural rubber
■■
Hardened steel
■■
Stainless steel upper edges
INTERIOR ■■
Dyneema®
■■
UD (unidirectional) carbon fibre
CORE ■■
Cedar wood bonded slats (branchless)
BASE ■■
Nano high-speed race base
■■
HRC50 steel edges
Franco 160
Franco 166
Franco 174
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zai for Dénériaz The choice of an Olympic Champion Custom-made for the 2006 Olympic Men’s
zai for Dénériaz blends robust, lightweight
Downhill Champion, Antoine Dénériaz, zai
zaiíra® with the damping properties of
for Dénériaz is engineered for effortless
natural rubber. Antoine Dénériaz’s logo is
handling on groomed snow. In keeping
hand-finished in the same high-grade steel
with the fluid downhill technique of its
used in the finest Swiss watches.
namesake, this elegant piste ski delivers maximum response with minimum effort. “For me, skiing is not just about speed. It’s also about emotions and feeling. The stability and precision of a zai ski is like nothing else. Every day I use my zais, I know I’m driving something very special.” — Antoine Dénériaz
zai special edition
zai for Dénériaz
Dénériaz 174
front
120
125
middle
73
75
tail
100
105
front
9
8.5
middle
15
16/9
tail
13
15
weight in g
1450
1520
length in cm
166
174
radius in m
width in mm
Dénériaz 166
technical data
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character newcomer
slow
powder
advanced
fast
ice
materials SURFACE ■■
Vulcanized natural rubber
■■
Stainless steel upper edges
■■
zaiíra®
INTERIOR ■■
Dyneema®
■■
UD (unidirectional) carbon fibre
CORE ■■
Cedar wood bonded slats (branchless)
BASE ■■
Nano high-speed race base
■■
HRC50 steel edges
Dénériaz 166
Dénériaz 174
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zai for St. Moritz The official ski of the world’s oldest winter resort As the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism
St. Moritz blue, with the official signature of
and snow sports, St. Moritz is synonymous
the resort inlaid in brushed steel.
with quality, elegance and class. zai for St. Moritz has a multi-radius, low zai for St. Moritz bears all the hallmark
camber design for easy curve adjustment
qualities of a zai ski, with a classic style
even at high speed. The 166cm length
harking back to the golden age of Alpine
provides
skiing. The top surface is handcrafted from
excellent damping for a smooth, solid ride
durable, shock-absorbing natural rubber in
in a wide variety of snow conditions.
light,
nimble
handling,
with
zai special edition
zai for St. Moritz
radius in m
width in mm
technical data front
123
middle
74
tail
100
front
8/9
middle
35
character newcomer
slow
powder
advanced
fast
ice
16/17.5
tail
15.3
weight in g
1520
length in cm
166
materials SURFACE ■■
Vulcanized natural rubber
■■
Hardened steel
■■
Stainless steel upper edges
INTERIOR ■■
Dyneema®
■■
UD (unidirectional) carbon fibre
CORE ■■
Cedar wood bonded slats (branchless)
BASE ■■
Nano high-speed race base
■■
HRC50 steel edges
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zai accessories
zai for Bentley ski bag
accessories
37
zai ski accessories are designed using the highest grade materials crafted to the most exacting standards. Sophisticated, lightweight and functional, they are the perfect partner for zai skis.
zai capalina The zai capalina ski helmet features a strong, lightweight carbon shell for superior comfort and protection on the slopes. The Custom Air速 System developed by Salomon ensures a snug cushioned fit based on individual head shape, while soft leather cushioned ear protectors and chinstrap provide additional comfort. Available in sizes: small (54-56cm), medium (57-59cm) and large (60-62cm).
zai spieghel zai ski goggles are robust, lightweight and incredibly comfortable to wear. They are equipped with an all-round anti-fog system to ensure optimal visibility and offer 100% UV protection.
pign (S) Tinted Vario lens system automatically adjusts to lighting conditions
mesaun (M) Hybrid lens absorbs infrared radiation and scatters unwanted refracted light
grond (L) Extra large Hybrid lens offers maximum visibility and protection without fogging
140 140
110
135 140
zai for Bentley
140
110
telescopic touring
110
telescopic special edition
110
telescopic freeride
length (cm):
zai limited edition
zai ski package
38
110
115 115
120 120
125 125
130 130
140
135
zai ski package
39
zai for Bentley ski package
classic zai ski package
Leather and neoprene Bentley ski bag, plus carbon Bentley poles with leather grips and embroidered logo
Rugged nylon and neoprene ski bag plus zai lightweight carbon poles with leather grips
poles High quality zai ski poles are included with all zai skis except scadin. Produced by Komperdell, zai poles are made from strong, lightweight carbon, and available in piste, touring and freeride styles. zai for Bentley comes with custom Bentley poles with leather grips and embroidered Bentley logo.
ski bags A made-to-measure zai ski bag is included with all zai skis except zai scadin. zai bags are made from durable nylon and neoprene, with separate pole compartment, ID tag and adjustable carry strap. zai for Bentley comes with an exclusive Bentley bag made from soft leather and neoprene.
bindings zai ski bindings are made exclusively for zai by Salomon. Based on Salomon’s Z-speed model, they feature aluminium components in place of steel for reduced weight. zai laisa is also available with Diamir Vipec and Salomon Guardian freeride bindings.
warranty All zai skis come with a free two-year manufacturer’s warranty and one year’s insurance
against
theft
or
accidental
breakage*. Two free services at the zai factory are included with zai for Bentley skis (excluding transport).
*Valid on registration with zai dealer at purchase
Durability zai skis are designed to endure heavy use,
same period for mass-produced skis. With
season after season, with no discernible
the right care and regular servicing your
drop in performance. Tests show that after
zais will last you for many years, looking
100 days of use zai skis lose about 5%
and performing just as they did the day
rigidity, compared to around 25% over the
you bought them. 0% -5%
flexural strength (w/l)
built to last
40
-25%
new ski
conventional ski after 100 days
zai ski after 100 days
Ski Flex Analysis Before a zai ski leaves the factory, it
service, for a small additional cost you can
undergoes a highly accurate Ski Flex
request a repeat analysis. By comparing
Analysis (SFA) to measure rigidity*. The
the data, it is possible to precisely track
data is recorded and kept on file. When
your ski’s rigidity curve over time.
you return your ski to the zai factory for *Pre-purchase SFA data is available as standard on all skis except zai scadin
Servicing A zai ski service is different to other ski
Edge grinding technology. Every ski is
services. Thanks to the unique materials
then waxed, polished and finished by hand.
we use, the entire ski can be refurbished
Servicing is available at the zai factory and
(not just the base and edges). Our factory
certified zai dealerships worldwide.
in Disentis is equipped with the very latest Montana servicing suite, including Saphir
Email info@zai.ch for more information.
Pro stone grinding machines and Race
Official ski service partner
built to last
41
ski service at the zai factory
42
7
1
2
4
5
8
3
6
9
10
zai materials
43
Made
6.zaiíra®
from
compressed
wool
fibres,
A
high-tech
carbon
fibre
compound
felt is a natural material replete with
specially developed by zai, zaiíra® is more
high-tech
special
stable and has greater shock-absorption
technique known only to zai, we created
than conventional carbon compounds.
from it a rugged, lightweight surface with
It helps to reduce weight while also
impressive damping for our scadin ski.
delivering a smooth, solid ride.
2.Dyneema®
7.Cedar wood
This high-tech plastic is 60% stronger in
Cedar wood is very light, with a strength
relation to its weight than carbon fibre,
and resistance to warping that makes it
and up to 15 times stronger than steel. It is
the first choice for zai ski cores. The cedar
also extremely light and does not become
cores of zai spada skis have integrated CFS®
brittle in low temperatures, making it ideal
(carbon fibre stone) for extra damping.
for ski building.
zai also uses ash and poplar wood in scadin
properties.
Using
a
and nezza models.
3.Natural rubber 8.Stone Vulcanized natural rubber is far superior to the plastic surfaces used for mass-
The solid stone used in zai’s CFS® (carbon
produced skis, being scratch-resistant,
fibre stone) cores is made from 50-million-
durable and shock absorbing. It can also
year-old
be reworked to a fine finish. zai is the only
from the Swiss Alps. A type of granite,
ski maker to use natural rubber surfaces.
its compressive strength and damping
green
Rofna-Porphyr
gneiss
properties are key to spada’s smooth ride.
4.UD carbon fibre 9.Walnut veneer zai
uses
uni-directional
(UD)
endless
carbon fibres in different matrices. The
zai’s testa ski is made using the finest
fibres are applied to the core and at
quality
other strategic points, in varying layers
from sustainably forested trees. Walnut
and directions, according to the desired
provides natural damping, is very durable,
performance of the ski.
resistant to humidity, and can be reworked
Swiss
walnut
veneer,
sourced
to a beautiful finish time and time again.
5.Stainless steel 10.Stainless steel (hardened) zai uses the same lightweight, high-yield steel used to make precision components
Only zai builds skis with stainless steel
for luxury watches. In our skis it provides
upper edges. The hardened HRC 50 steel
extra resilience and stiffness: one of the
we use is extremely strong and resistant
reasons why zai skis maintain their flex so
to corrosion. It protects the top surface
well over time.
against bumps and knocks, and can be reground to a perfect finish during service.
inside a zai ski
1.Felt
44
what passion can do The zai philosophy
Simon Jacomet
zai follows no trend or tradition, but
zai was founded in 2003 by leading Swiss
consistently goes its own way in design, in
ski designer Simon Jacomet.
the use of materials and in manufacturing technique. Natural and high-tech materials
Born and raised in Disentis, Graubünden,
are combined in innovative ways. Traditional
Simon has worked as a technical coach to
skills go hand-in-hand with the latest
the Swiss Ski Team and designed skis for
technology. Boundaries are broken, new
some of the world’s largest ski brands. His
methods and materials developed in the
pioneering methods and passion for his craft
drive towards ever greater performance.
have shaped the techniques and equipment
In this way, zai remains at the forefront of
used by many of today’s professional skiers.
ski design. Simon’s holistic approach to ski design is Behind all zai products is a quest for
influenced by a diverse range of interests
synthesis. Synthesis between movement
including art, architecture, martial arts
and equipment, between the skier and
and Zen philosophy. His aim is to create
the mountain. Like the Zen archer and his
skis that are not only unmatched in quality
bow, zai seeks the moment of lightness:
and performance, but can be enjoyed by
the freedom that ensues when we are not
skiers of all abilities, from beginners to
controlled by things but control them.
Olympic Champions.
By focusing on quality, durability and
In the Rhaeto-Romansh language spoken in
reduction to the essential, zai creates
Disentis, the word zai translates as ‘tough’.
a simple, lasting aesthetic. A zai ski is
It also signifies resilience and conviction –
everything a good ski should be, and
qualities inherent in every zai product.
nothing more. Unadorned with paint and graphics, natural materials perform high-
All zai skis are handcrafted in Simon’s
tech functions to deliver a ride that is lighter,
hometown of Disentis. A small monastery
more enjoyable, more accomplished.
town in the heart of the Swiss Alps, it is a place where skiing is not only a passion, but
zai finds the line, reading the mountain. The ultimate expression of freedom and joy.
a way of life.
what passion can do
45
Simon Jacomet, zai founder
46
Owning a zai ski is just the beginning. When you ride zai, you become part of a very special family. zai owner privileges include invitations to exclusive events, ski clinics and factory tours, plus special offers with our partner brands and more. To find out more email worldofzai@zai.ch
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9/14/12
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zai AG
T +41 81 936 44 55
Via dalla Stampa 8
F +41 81 936 44 56
7180 Disentis
www.zai.ch
Switzerland
info@zai.ch