nezza

Swiss Ski Maker Zai Unveils the Nezza

Filed under: Sports

The last time we heard from zai they had just completed a new set of skis in conjunction with Bentley. But the seven-year-old maker of hand-built skis that works out of a centuries-old monastery in the Swiss alps has its own range, and the latest to join is called the Nezza. Called "a black blade to tame the mountain" – "nezza" means blade or sword – the carbon fiber composite ski has been specifically developed for hard slopes.

Even with that, zai's unique construction with the composite material it calls zaiira means that you can tailor the flexing behavior of the ski to your liking – so although hardpack is the Nezza's specialty, deep powder won't slow you down. The 173-centimeter skis weigh 3.1 pounds, and they're available now for 6,900 Swiss Francs, about $6,934. No, that's not exactly cheap, but the best never is. Yet it's almost guaranteed you'll see them on slopes sooner or later: zai was recently named the official supplier to the 2011 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Gallery: Nezza skis by zai