Groundhog 2013 Description
he 100mm waist is the perfect platform for every snow surface. The 50%-50% Camber makes this ski catch-free and effortless with the ability to hook up and carve high-speed turns. The Razor Cut sidecut gives this wide ski incredible edge grip on the hardest snow. The full vertical bamboo core makes the ski feel more rock solid and energetic than any other construction.
RAMP Sports uses an innovative new way to print graphics directly onto the raw wood material. This was an "impossibility" according to product experts. We invented a process to prove them wrong, and in turn, our top sheets look painted, like fine artwork. Each print is slightly different in color and dimension from the other, meaning you get a genuine handmade gem. We stand behind our graphic sublimation process. Our "Love It or Leave It" warranty is there for your satisfaction, and we are confident you'll love your new, unique handmade-in-America ski. Enjoy.
- Well balanced, very stable by Steve Schaffer
- Just want you to know that the skis arrived Friday in time for a delicious spring skiing weekend at Cannon Mt. While they are designated as a Western all-mountain ski, I am finding they do exceptionally well here as well, although I have not had the chance to try them on the most unforgiving hardpack. They are well balanced through all phases of the turn, very stable at speed, well behaved in short and long turns, even somewhat forgiving of the occasional lapse of tecnique. I may even sign up for the rep program.
(Posted on 4/1/13) - A ski perfect for telemark by Will Thayer
- I purchased a pair of Groundhog skis over the New Year and mounted them for tele. I was looking for a stable ride in any condition, any terrain. I’m pleased with my choice.
The Groundhog offers on-piste performance with a stable turn initiation and comfortable finish. Off-piste the width, material, and shovel offer floatation enabling me to power through any kind of fresh pow or corn slop. This is an easy ski with great stability, and perfect for telemark. The sweet spot is under foot, which is expected, but I really like the confidence it provides on tele. I’m able to throw these skis around and not worry about the platform. In fact, I depend on the platform, which supports me when trying to rip off quick tele turns.
Plus the graphics are sweet. (Posted on 3/18/13) - Lively all-mountain ski by Megan P.
- This summer I decided to buy some new skis. I stumbled across an article about how your skis are handmade in the USA. That was enough to inspire me to roll the dice, and purchase skis that I had never skied before. When I got them in the mail, I was impressed, they looked like rippers. I mounted them up with some Marker bindings, and headed up to Mount Baker. The first day skiing my Groundhogs sealed the deal! I was stoked!
These puppies rip and PERFORM! I have skied them in everything, primarily chasing powder, but man oh man do they hold a great edge on hard pack. My boyfriend said he can SEE how awesome they are, when he watches me come down a run. Excellent float in powder, light and easy to turn, holds an edge in all conditions, lively all mountain ski! I grew up skiing, and have skied for 25 years. I am 5'11" and weigh 190....I do not need a woman's ski. I appreciate this well-built ski, and plan on purchasing another pair to set up for touring. Thanks RAMP, for staying true to the sport! You build a beautiful product. If they weren't made in the USA, I could not recommend these skis. Keep up the good work! I love skiing!
(Posted on 3/6/13) - Fantastic on groomed slopes, outstanding in powder by Ken Semon
- I have been skiing on my new Groundhog skis for several weeks. They are fantastic on the groomed slopes. I have never had skis that could hold an edge like these. Skied in 15" inches of powder last week, and they were simply outstanding. I am also impressed by how light they are. (Posted on 3/6/13)
- Totally satisfied with RAMP by Gordon Stark
- I love my Groundhogs. I am in Sonora, CA, skiing Kirkwood when I can, mostly Dodge Ridge with my two daughters (6 and 5), not sure about taking them into the powder or woods yet. We are having a great time learning to ski. I am having such a blast with these new skis, despite the lack of powder days. I have found these skis to be my favorite. When I have been able to use them as they were designed, absolutely love them. That being said:
- delaminating on sides, and chipping (hoping bamboo is water resistant)
- a little more flex and weight
- delaminating
+ great ski, a well-designed ride
+ love, love, love taking these into the powder and the woods and being the super skier that I think I am.
I have been meaning to send you a message. After a delay on my first order, I ordered skis for my wife. The awesome lady answering the phones did a great job and threw in some poles! I have been totally satisfied with RAMP. They were Xmas presents! I look forward to checking out what you all have to offer in the future.
(Posted on 3/6/13) - RAMP skis start a conversation by Gary Tennenbaum
- After skiing on the Groundhogs for about 20 days, I wanted to send you some feedback. Overall, great ski. Very stable at speed, good side cut to do both quick turns and long powder surfs. I use them both inbounds and backcountry and the amount of rocker is perfect for skiing and skinning in powder. The only other issue I have is durability of the top of the ski. The sides of the skis are scraping off and I don't think that is a big deal, but delamination always worries me. On the flip side, the bases and edges seem very durable since I was just in Silverton and almost my entire group of eight had core shots and I know I hit the same rocks and mine are ok. I get a ton of compliments on the aesthetics of the ski and that starts a great conversation since many people here in Colorado have not heard of RAMP I really like these skis and hopefully with some improvements these can be even better. (Posted on 2/27/13)
- Light, fast, and robust by Toby Quin
- Firstly I love the whole homegrown eco friendly concept. I'm not even American! These skis are centered nicely, perfect for my size (179). They have conquered the Bridger Bowl day after day!Yyyyeeaahh! They have bravely slain the tram on Lone Peak Big Sky. We have had some unbelievable conditions for these animal skis to perform. They are light, fast and robust...SEXY!
My only issue with these is that they damage very easily all across the top sheet and expose the bamboo, lots of repairs.
(Posted on 2/27/13) - Excellent variable snow ski by Adam
- Demoed a pair of Groundhogs at Sundance on a highly variable day. Conditions were 3-6 inches fresh, windblown, old icy crud, and small bumps. The skis were quick enough to ski trees and bumps and floated pretty well in the powder. I was most impressed by the power of the skis in variable conditions. The tips were solid through cut up, broken, and sometimes frozen crud; no chatter, just disappearing mounds of snow and a very well controlled ride at speed. When I hit patches of ice, the edges were strong and maintained grip. When RAMP President Mike Kilchenstein says these skis have a large sweet spot, he's dead on. While I still was planning on demoing some other skis, I decided to take advantage of the great deal online and just bought a pair. I doubt any other ski in this category would have changed my mind. (Posted on 2/24/13)
- RAMPs rock! by powderski
- Went to a ski show in Denver looking for a "do-everything" western ski. Met RAMP President Mike Kilchenstein and his team and they were saying all the right things... early rise tip, stiff tail, FSC certified bamboo, made in the USA, etc. Bought a pair online, which I had previous sworn not to do, but have been smiling ever since! My groundhogs are fantastic! They are beautiful, but more importantly ski great as well. They are light, quick, damp, and have a powerful rebound. While they ski the groomers admirably, I have tended to save them for soft snow days as they can be a bit of a chore on really hard snow or in the ice-bumps. For this I'll probably pick up a pair of the Wookpeckers which I hope to like as much as these! Thanks for making such a fun ski! (Posted on 2/23/13)
- These skis rock by Bruce Briel
- I skied on my RAMP Groundhog skis at both Big Sky and Moonlight Basin in Montana. They were good on the groomers, in powder and in the glades. These skis rock.
(Posted on 2/4/13) - Awesome all-mountain charger by @snowsportspro
- Ht: 5'10"
Wght: 160lbs
Ski level: 3+
Having to ski in Cascade Concrete up here in Washington made me search for an all-mountan charger that could stay up above the crud. After being very impressed with the mission statement of RAMP sports I decided to check them out.
My first impression of the ski was excellent. A beautiful graphic, and slick bamboo styling texture. My tech guys had noted there could have been a better finish. The edges weren't evenly tuned, and the sidewalls had some trim sticking out, but besides that they were also impressed. I mounted them with some Markers Griffins, and I was good to go.
On the snow I was impressed with how light they were. The bamboo core is super light, but also very damp, allowing for me to really open them up with minimal chatter. The rebound during turn transition is excellent, giving the ski a snappy and high energy feel. It has a traditional tail, so this ski likes to go nose first, and charge the fall line. The early rise rocker keeps the ski up and over any crud you come to, and does an excellent job staying on top of the snow. I really love the width underfoot, giving the ski awesome versatility in nearly all conditions.
My only complaint with this ski is that after only a few times on the hill the top sheet began to delaminate pretty seriously. I'm a pretty aggressive skiing, and an instructor, so between myself and my students my top sheets can take a beating. While it does not affect the performance of the ski, I am concerned about longterm durability.
Overall though, I give this ski a 4 out of 5. It does exactly what is designed to do, charge hard. I also love that this company is focused on sustainability, and they are made in the USA.
(Posted on 1/31/13) - Sexy by Ski3r4lif3
- This ski is the tits! I LOVE GROUNDHOGS (Posted on 1/25/13)
- Groundhogs are my one and only. by MRGFREESKI
- I ski the Groundhog 189 everyday here at Mad River Glen (ski it if you can) in Vermont. I have for the past 2 plus seasons. There is nothing these skis can't handle, name it - they've done it and survived. I am 6'3" and 215lbs and I run the Freeskiing program here - my skis get used, I used to go thru a pair a season. Most of them would break in half, some of them have gone for blown edges or one or two have had de-lam problems. I'm still skiing the first generation pair I got from them, 40 or so days into their 3rd season and still going strong. Plenty of camber, edges all intact, laminate is good! Basically, I have found them to be bomber. If they can take what the East has to dish out they can survive any ski condition. I used to think the Mantra was the best ski I've ever owned until the Groundhog came along! Job well done ya'll! (Posted on 1/18/13)
- hidden gem by Maddog
- RAMP totally surprised me with the quality of their product. These skis are the best I've ever been on, which is not something I'd say lightly. They're great for the backcountry, a resort powder day and even rip on the groomers. Highly recommended (Posted on 1/2/13)
- a-t setup by AJ
- Just ordered myself the groundhog 13' and soon a pair of marker dukes to make this a awesome a-t set up, thanks so much you guys..cant wait! (Posted on 1/2/13)
- I LOVE MY SKIS!!!! by MeganP
- Dear RAMP, I love my skis! I LOVE MY SKIS!!!! I may need another pair. Did I mention I LOVE MY SKIS!! They are helping me make turns up here at Mt Baker...and man oh man, do these things send it!!! (Ground Hogs...love em'!) (Posted on 1/2/13)
- Amazing Ski!!! by Ski Instructor JP
- Buy local, live local, and have fun! This ski can shred. Super stable ski with good pop. It is an amazing ski even when no pow is present. Give it a try and thanks to RAMP for supporting and promoting an eco-friendly/local ski endeavor. Do it up! (Posted on 1/2/13)
- OUTSTANDING SKI! by moneypenney
- Just a really awesome ski! Sends it in the powder, very very stable underfoot. You can crank HUGE TURNS on this sucker. LOVE THEM. Mounted with Alpine bindings, skiing in deep powder at MT. Baker....the performance cannot be beat! Thanks for making such a great all mountain ski that can hold an edge and accelerate in all conditions out here in the PNW! (Posted on 12/26/12)
- awesome backcountry ski by Will
- love this ski, it's relativly light, super lively and fun! Have it mounted with dynafits and they rock (Posted on 11/30/12)