Founder of ON3P Skis, Scott Andrus, hopped into Ski Gabber to answer our questions about the company.
How long did it take for ON3P to ‘take off’?
-Moon_Shoes
I guess I would describe us as still taking off.
We are definitely a work in progress and a lot of skiers still have no idea who we are.
I think on NS, the release of the Filthy Rich really helped us gain a lot of traction.
Also, there is no question working with Karl has done a ton for our brand and vice versa.
So…how long?
So one month I would buy a router, another month a jig saw, and so on.
That just wasn’t going to happen.
why is your username iggyskier?
The BG & CD are both designed with this in mind.
What is your favorite graphic that have been on a stock ski?
(exclude grizzlecorns, Eh!, and ugliest topsheet) -Krotch
Usually changes every year.
Right now it is either the 14/15 Billy Goat or 14/15 Kartel 106.
-Krotch
Well, build quality between Tacoma and now isn’t even close.
Tacoma was rough to say the least.
-cydwhit
Maybe we will build it back next year.
If there is some demand for it, we will consider bringing it back again for 15/16.
Can you give us a little info on the backstory/motivation to get your guys into the Valhalla summer segment?
-cydwhit
The motivation was all by the Valhalla guys and the team members that were up there shooting.
Sander got involved too.
What is your favorite ski to ride that you have ever built?
I actually still have almost all of my personal Tacoma skis around.
What’s your favorite ON3P ski and what’s your favorite topsheet?
Right now, the newest additions will be a 3 ski women’s line released for the 15/16 season.
RES jib ski… we want the infos!
-jca
Honestly, right now I don’t know if this one ends up going to production.
We shall see, as it is still early in the development process.
What parts of the ski building process do you like the most, hate the most, and why?
-NinetyFour
I have always liked layup the most as it is the process where everything finally becomes a ski.
I just personally felt it was always the most interesting and rewarding part of the ski building process.
This is going to be a bit weird, but I hate scraping skis.
Most factories just throw a coat of wax on the skis and buff it off and call it good.
Scraping hundreds of skis per month would drive me crazy.
What’s the coolest tool you have in the factory?
They rival anything I’ve seen in any ski factory out there.
Your skis are long.
Why the emphasis on length?
Specifically, you’re making skis longer than most companies out there.
I view it as making our skis correctly.
I just wanted the actual ski length to match the listed ski length.
Add tip shape and a full twin and suddenly that ski is 181cm long.
Just a different approach.
How in touch was Scott was with ON3P during the whole great scott thing?
–emile-
I won’t say too much.
Almost all of it was done through email with their lawyers.
Seems like no one takes you seriously.
It will be my time soon.
How has Rowen lasted so long without being sent to a gulag?
If you don’t like one of these questions will I be sent to a gulag?
It will be Rowen’s time soon.
True or false: there is a banner that reads “ALL HAIL GLORIOUS LEADER” in the shop.
skis on skis on skis // Photo: Erica Aarons
What’s your favorite Lagunitas beer?
-ERICA.MN
Probably Little Sumpin.
Does Caylor Swift break out into Taylor Swift tunes very often?
-ERICA.MN
No, but Kip often starts yelling crust punk.
It is very alarming.
What’s the largest challenge you’ve had to overcome as a small business owner?
-ERICA.MN
Cash flow and the time it takes to build your own product.
Skiing is seasonal, so you take in 75% of your revenue in a 4-5 month period.
If things didn’t go great in those 4-5 months, you are going to have a tough year.
Eagle rare or four roses?
-cobra_commander
Ardbeg, Lagavulin, or Stranahan’s.
Best ON3P ever made?
The Billy Goat, but I think that will change soon
How large is your production scale?
What happened to the oars?
-steezburgereddie
Still around, they get taken out from time to time.
As long as they are pointed down the mountain, they are pretty fun.
How big of an impact has NS had on the success of ON3P?
-406
Obviously it has been huge.
Without NS there is no ON3P.
What makes your bamboo cores stand out from others?
-immas
To me, it is the feel of the ski.
Our skis are damp but responsive, and I’ve never felt anytime similar (except a Kingswood).
Bamboo has definitely ruined other core materials for me.
What is the best name given to a shop tool?
Anything I am missing?
2015 186 Wrenegade or Tacoma 191 Wrenegades?
-cobra_commander
As I am quickly approaching 30 and ski in Oregon, the 186cm Wren 112.
But if I was skiing Crystal again, I would probably go with a 13/14 191cm Wren.
Will you sell veneer skis forever as an homage to Igneous?
-Pudge
I think we will keep selling it as long as people are interested.
They are very time consuming, and are still all cut by hand by our Production Manager Trevor Leaf.
They aren’t very scalable currently, so I don’t see doing more than 20-25 per year.
-NinetyFour
I only really think about skis right now, so I will have to limit it to that… Our focus right now is really on refinement and better build quality and finishing.
Outside of skis, I really can’t say.
Definitely an exciting time to be a skier.
-cydwhit
Sure, but they are hard to come by.
You have grown from a small PNW based company to a globally retailed brand of skis.
-B.Gillis
Our big focus right now is expanding our retail program.
As for direction, we really don’t want to change a thing.
What kind of quality control do you guys do?
The durability of my 11/12 jeronimos has amazed me.
So at every step in the process, stuff is being recorded and pulled if anything seems wrong.
Then in finishing, again, it is very hands on and the skis are checked at each step.
So the skis are scraped and the bases are checked for scratches and flatness with a true bar.
Then we check all the meets with a razor blade to ensure the bonding is correct.
We have gotten a lot better about recording all the skis' data now too.
That creates a really solid ski before you even start the build process.
How did you finally decide to stop pursuing medical school, and commit to ON3P?
Was this hard to reconcile with yourself?
-SKI.ING
My senior year was a bit weird.
So I started to get a business plan together and things went from there.
That said, if I ever did anything else, I would at least consider medicine again.
I still find it fascinating and think I would really enjoyed the work.
And was it hard telling family and friends about your decision or were they supportive?
They want me to do what makes me happy, so they are incredibly supportive.
Without their support, none of this would have happened.
Most rewarding part of what you do?
-Sklar
Hearing from people who enjoy the skis.
Sam Caylor buried in skis // Photo: ON3P
Most memorable UPS moments?
-Sklar
Yeah…my mom is gonna read this, so not a lot I can really post.
I don’t think I would be here had we collided.
That was my first introduction to Tacoma, which back in 2004 was still a bit sporting.
We used to hear occasional gun shots from our dorm room (A&L).
He literally jumped out of the way.
Tacoma is a bit of a strange place..
I think often times it comes off a bit awkward, but I understand why they are doing it.
Not necessarily to sell, just for fun works too.
-DrZoidberg
Honestly, mostly what we have build is the factory itself and our own equipment.
We build one off things here and there, but nothing is really jumping to mind.
I am sure some ON3P skateboards and maybe a surfboard happen sometime in the next few years.
Maybe he was referring to employees… and was fishing for his own name to be pulled up?
As far as mentioning Igneous goes, how often do you buy or demo skis from other manufacturers?
–emile-
We would like to keep the brand relatively small.
You see a lot of brands branch out into outerwear, packs, etc.
Right now, we want to just focus on what we do well, which is build skis.
Under what circumstances would you allow ON3P to be bought by a listed company like Amer?
-Pudge
Probably the hardest question I’ve been asked tonight.
We’re not looking to be bought.
The circumstances in which we would consider it?
I can’t even think of a realistic scenario where this would happen.
How has ON3P affected your time on the hill?
Are you content with your work load and schedules and how much you make from it?
-broto
First off, I am probably atypical.
I ski far less than most, but that will improve over time.
When I do ski, I get to be extremely picky.
I am content with my workload, schedule, and pay because I love what I do.
Would it be nice to make more money, have an easier schedule, and less of a workload?
Sure, that applies to anyone, including everyone here.
That isn’t true for everyone, but I am fortunate I get to make that choice.
There are useless people who definitely get into skiing thinking that way.
You have good days, bad days, and the same day-in-and-day-out grind of any other job.
If you find something you are actually passionate doing in the industry, do it.
What do you think could be improved about the ski industry or your skis for the future?
As for our skis, there are always improvements to be made.
With sandwich construction skis, topsheet chipping will always be number one.
A lot of stuff is really dialed, but you might always be better.
What do you look for when you hire people?
Are you looking to expand your team?
Some people just can’t handle the work.
We run a small shop here, so the personality fit is really important.
At this time, we are not looking to expand our team.
Why’d you guys ax the caylors?
What’s the work-life balance for yourself and the rest of the ON3P crew like?
Do you still find time to ski much during the winter?
-steevner
We work a lot, but life is getting a bit more balanced.
It has gotten better every year, though it usually goes to shit the month before SIA.
-steevner
They are completely separate.
The ski development us faceless.
What people most likely miss is how much story there is for each ski graphic.
-B.Gillis
I thought a lot about how to answer this.
So if you want to bring your homebuilding outside the garage, absolutely do it.
It is incredibly rewarding to sell skis to people who enjoy them.
I’m sitting next to a kid named charlie murphy… never name your cat charlie murphy!!!
-StangelDangle
Umm…already did.
Charlie Murphy
Dante
Usually what age are your interns?
-Jackdonovan
Someday they will definitely happen.
