Spring skiing brings beauty, but also complexity. As temperatures rise, snow transforms, mornings often start with icy crust, only to soften into heavy slush by midday.
It’s the kind of terrain that keeps you on your toes and demands more from your skis than just float or grip. In spring, performance isn’t just about one snow condition; it’s about how well your gear can adapt as conditions shift underfoot.
This is where ski construction matters more than most realize. The materials, the shape, the way a ski flexes or holds torsion, all of it adds up to how confidently you move through variable snow. In this post, we’ll break down what to look for in a ski built for spring, and how design choices can make a real difference when things get inconsistent.
Why Variable Snow Demands Versatile Ski Construction
In spring, the snow doesn’t just change by the day, it changes by the hour, by elevation, even by aspect. You might begin on a firm crust that barely gives under your skis, cross into soft, sun-warmed snow on a south-facing slope, then hit wet, heavy slush at the bottom.
Each of these surfaces behaves differently, and if your skis aren’t built to respond, you’re left fighting the terrain instead of flowing with it.
In wet slush, for example, skis without enough torsional stiffness can twist and feel unstable, making it harder to initiate or hold a turn. The added drag from waterlogged snow also demands a design that maintains glide and reduces energy loss. Without it, your legs tire fast, and control gets sloppy.
On the crust, edge grip becomes critical. Skis that are too soft, or don’t hold torsion well, may chatter or skid unpredictably. You’re left relying more on brute strength and technique, something that can quickly wear you out or, worse, lead to falls when precision counts.
Soft patches, meanwhile, call for enough float and responsiveness to avoid getting bogged down. If your ski sinks or stalls, you lose momentum, and potentially control, when moving from one snow type to another.
Spring skiing is a constant negotiation between contrast and compromise. That’s why versatile ski construction isn’t just nice to have, it’s what lets you stay in control, conserve energy, and actually enjoy the descent, no matter what the mountain throws at you.
The Way We Build Skis at OGSO
At OGSO, we’ve always built skis with a simple principle in mind: the mountain sets the rules, not us. That’s why from the very beginning, our philosophy has centered around three core qualities, lightweight, responsive, and reliable, all working together to support the skier when conditions get unpredictable.
We design for real terrain, not just perfect powder days. That means every layer, shape, and material in an OGSO ski exists for a reason, to help you adapt, react, and stay in control no matter what kind of snow is under your feet.
Let’s break down how that philosophy comes to life in our innovations, and what they actually do on different snow types:
- Paulownia Wood Core
This ultra-light core is the backbone of our skis, keeping weight down without sacrificing strength. It makes a big difference on long ascents, you save energy and on soft snow, it enhances agility, letting the ski stay quick and reactive.
In some of our collections, we pair Paulownia with Poplar wood to strike a balance between featherlight touring performance and added durability underfoot, ideal for skiers who push hard across mixed conditions. Other collections rely solely on Paulownia for maximum weight savings without compromising responsiveness.
Explore the differences in our ski collections to find what matches your needs.
- Composite Laminate Construction
Multiple layers of composite materials give the ski structure and binding retention, especially important in wet, heavy slush or when you’re pushing hard on technical terrain. It’s the foundation of durability and consistency, even when conditions are anything but.
- Power Plate
Located underfoot, this plate prevents unwanted flex, especially with pin bindings and adds crucial stability on hard or crusty snow. When your edge needs to bite, this is what keeps it from folding.
- Torsion Stabilizer
Spring snow loves to throw surprises. Our torsion control keeps the ski from twisting under pressure, helping your edges engage quickly on crust and reducing chatter on firm, uneven surfaces.
- Tip Stabilizer
Vibrations and tip chatter can drain confidence fast. This feature smooths the ride through tracked or sun-affected snow, keeping your focus sharp and your turns fluid.
- Heel Shock Absorber
Whether you’re coming off a drop or hitting firmer sections mid-descent, this built-in shock system reduces impact and keeps the ride composed, so your back and knees thank you later.
- High and Long Nose Design
Designed to center your stance and improve pivot control, especially through slush or broken snow. It adds playfulness and precision when the terrain starts getting inconsistent.
Each of these components is there for a reason and together, they create skis that adapt as conditions shift. From skin track to summit to descent, we build with intention. And no matter your style or ambition, we have a ski in the lineup that fits your goals and terrain.
How This Translates on the Mountain
You’ve read the specs, now let’s talk about what it feels like to ski them.
Spring touring is all about adaptation. You might start the day on a skin track glazed in overnight crust, only to reach a summit where wind has scoured the ridge, then descend into a basin full of soft, wet snow. In these moments, your skis aren’t just tools, they’re your connection to the mountain. They need to shift with the terrain beneath you without missing a beat.
This is where construction becomes more than technical, it becomes personal. Every decision we make at OGSO, from the Paulownia core to the Power Plate reinforcement, is designed to give you three things where and when you need them most:
- Predictable edge hold on crust or windblown snow
- Responsive flex for navigating tricky transitions or quick pivots
- Lightweight strength to save your energy for the descent
Let’s break it down on a typical spring mission:
On hardpack or crusty snow near the summit, torsional stability and edge precision keep you locked in, even when it’s firm and exposed. As you enter softened corn, the progressive flex pattern kicks in, giving you smooth, fluid turns. Once you hit heavy, wet slush down low, the dampening systems and high nose geometry help you stay centered and surfy without getting bogged down.
In short: when the snow keeps changing, your skis don’t hesitate. And that keeps your ride not just possible, but enjoyable.
Spotlight: The NEOTERIC Collection
Built with our core philosophy in mind, lightweight, responsive, reliable, the NEOTERIC Camber collection is engineered for skiers who thrive in mixed conditions.
Each ski in the collection uses a slight camber underfoot with flat zones toward the tips and tails, giving you edge control when you need it and float when it counts. Let’s look at three standout models:
GRAND DADDY Ultra Tour
Best for: Expert mountaineers chasing untracked lines.
Why it works in spring: Ultralight for long ascents, with balanced geometry and stiffening tech (Power Plate + Torsion Stabilizer) to keep your descent controlled, even in unpredictable snow.
STS Ultra Tour
Best for: Technical ski tourers on steep or complex terrain.
Why it works in spring: A full carbon jacket and moderate tip/tail rise give you a confident edge bite through crust, and nimble movement through soft patches or transitions.
SWISS Ultra Tour
Best for: Long missions and high-output skiers.
Why it works in spring: It’s the go-to when the day demands everything, from uphill efficiency to downhill drive. This ski is built to tackle it all, from icy ridgelines to sticky valley slush.
Credit : Adria Puig