Desert Skis: A Local Craft Rises in the Snowy Mountains

What began as a personal project in a Western Australian garage has evolved into a unique manufacturing story in the heart of Australia's ski country. Jonathan and Steph Paige started crafting skis in 2019 and have since produced over 100 pairs. Their company, Desert Skis, opened its doors to the public from its Jindabyne, New South Wales workshop in the winter of 2025.

The Heart of the Ski: Australian Timber

At the core of every Desert Ski is a carefully selected blend of Australian-grown timber: alpine ash, jarrah, and paulownia.

Steph Paige noted that the alpine ash adds necessary weight to improve the ski's feel in variable snow conditions.

The sourcing of these materials is a story of adaptation and sustainability. Alpine ash is harvested in the Riverina region and processed in Eden, NSW. This practice now operates under a new shadow, as the federal government declared mainland alpine ash forests endangered in March 2025.

Jarrah is sourced from Western Australia, where a ban on native forest logging came into effect in 2024. The couple now obtains this timber from fallen trees or reclaimed from construction projects. The entire timber drying process alone takes approximately six months.

Damien Bunting of South Coast Timber, which supplies the alpine ash, highlighted the unique nature of the order: “It required meticulous selection of knot-free boards, which was a departure from usual high-volume orders.”

Craftsmanship and Challenge

The couple, who met while skiing in New Zealand, built their own ski press and handle the entire production process. Each pair of skis takes months to complete, involving precise stages of gluing, laminating, cutting, grinding, polishing, and tuning.

Jonathan Paige reflected on the difficult start: “The initial ski attempts were unsuccessful. The process involved trial and error with many variables like temperature and timber humidity.”

While the plastic base and steel edges are imported, the couple strives to source all other materials locally. The business faces significant challenges, including high freight costs and operating within Australia's small local ski industry.

A Managed Vision for the Future

Despite the challenges, the Paiges have a clear vision for their venture. They welcomed a baby in April 2025 and aim to grow their business thoughtfully.

“The goal is to connect with the snow community by providing a locally made product,” said Jonathan Paige.

Steph Paige, a former industrial electrician, and Jonathan, a mechanical engineer, emphasize quality and sustainability over rapid expansion. Steph stated the business aims to remain manageable to maintain quality, sustainability, and local sourcing.

This ethos resonates with their customers. Rowan Kennedy, a local skier, shared: “Knowing the timber source and that the skis are produced locally brought joy.”

In the fragile alpine environment, Desert Skis represents a model of careful craftsmanship, sustainable adaptation, and deep community connection.