You need to feel good about your work
Ted Eynon – Owner, Meier Skis – Denver, CO
7 January 2021
When you meet Ted Eynon his energy and his love for the outdoors is palpable. Meier Skis is one of the very few American ski manufacturers that actually make all their skis and boards in the U.S. ILO Photos/ John Isaac
“We have kind of different philosophy behind what we want to do here at Meier Skis,” says Ted Eynon, Owner of a ski and snowboard company based in Denver Colorado.
“We are striving to be the world's most eco-friendly, high performance ski manufacturer. Making skis is not an inherently environmentally friendly process, but we use local locally sourced and sustainable Colorado Aspen and Beetle Kill Pinewood materials and plant-based resins,” Ted states with a big smile.
Against a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains snow-capped peaks, you can meet Ted and see the team at the Meier Ski store as they make boards that have a unique feel due to the quality of the local wood.
“Our skis are known for being real light, lots of life. I would put our skis up against anyone's in the world. You're not going to see them on the World Cup for racing but, for people who likes to ski, I think we have got a great ski for you,” Ted says proudly.
The artistry of Meier Skis hand production gives the customer a unique and fun experience on the slopes. Although a small business, they are building a global brand from Denver. ILO Photos/ John Isaac Although a small company, Meier Skis was created by co-owners Matt Cudmore and Ted Eynon who are passionate about producing quality eco-friendly skis that offer good value, are fun to ride and made in the United States. The idea all started with a question from Matt’s brother in Crested Butte who asked him “why don't you use Colorado wood for a made in Colorado product”.
“When you can use materials closer to where you're producing the skis,” said Ted “that cuts down on the carbon footprint. We use locally sourced sustainable wood that also helps suppress forest fires by logging overgrown areas. The wood is fantastic and it has great color, so we use a clear top sheet to show off the natural beauty of the wood. This also helps us use a lot less ink on the skis.”
Ted started his career in the private sector working in the health care sector and then a software business. After his company was bought by General Electric and Ted was “running around the world for a few years for GE,” he had a change of mind about work.
“Just then I realized I wasn't a big company guy,” said Ted thinking back. “I decided then, since I wasn’t traveling so much, I can be a little closer to home and do something that's unique, different and challenging.”
Ted said that being a “passionate lifelong skier” he found “the ski business challenging but a lot of fun and gratifying”. However, he said it is a lot of work to start a business and it is like “pushing the wagon up over the hill”. The business requires him “to do just about anything and everything. You find your hands are in a lot of different aspects of the business.”
Meier Skis highlight the beauty of local Colorado wood and focus on a quality, eco-friendly ski. The Meier teams’ sense of mission and unique product gives rise to a dedicated customer base. ILO Photos/ John Isaac Meier Skis sees itself as an “immersive brand experience” and they go about their work a little differently than the other big brands that dominate the market. “Behind the glass at our shop, you can watch the guys actually laying up and pressing skis. It shows people who are actually making the skis here the right way locally.”
Ted is also very dedicated to and appreciative of his staff’s commitment to crafting a quality ski. “They need to feel good about where they work. We definitely try to do fun things and unique things to keep them happy because it's not an easy job. It's hard work. No question.”
This extra effort to produce a unique and quality product is worth the work in Ted’s mind. “Where you get the most enjoyment is when you have people come up to you and are just genuinely excited to be here because they love what we stand for. Just seeing the smiles on people's faces when they come down the mountain on your skis and they're like ‘Oh man, I just skied top to bottom on a run’. That genuine enthusiasm on their faces really makes you feel good.”
There is a feeling at Meier Skis that the pendulum has swung towards local sustainable. Ted opined “people want to identify with a brand they want to feel proud and good about. They're just as passionate and proud as we are. They love to be affiliated with our brand.”
As the sun sets behind the majestic Rockies and another beautiful day in Denver ends, Ted tells us that he is trying to keep something special alive.
“We can compete with the big brands if we keep making a product that is creative, unique and different. We want to bring happiness to the people that are strapping on our skis and that's what we're trying to do every day.”
“We are striving to be the world's most eco-friendly, high performance ski manufacturer. Making skis is not an inherently environmentally friendly process, but we use local locally sourced and sustainable Colorado Aspen and Beetle Kill Pinewood materials and plant-based resins,” Ted states with a big smile.
Against a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains snow-capped peaks, you can meet Ted and see the team at the Meier Ski store as they make boards that have a unique feel due to the quality of the local wood.
“Our skis are known for being real light, lots of life. I would put our skis up against anyone's in the world. You're not going to see them on the World Cup for racing but, for people who likes to ski, I think we have got a great ski for you,” Ted says proudly.
The artistry of Meier Skis hand production gives the customer a unique and fun experience on the slopes. Although a small business, they are building a global brand from Denver. ILO Photos/ John Isaac Although a small company, Meier Skis was created by co-owners Matt Cudmore and Ted Eynon who are passionate about producing quality eco-friendly skis that offer good value, are fun to ride and made in the United States. The idea all started with a question from Matt’s brother in Crested Butte who asked him “why don't you use Colorado wood for a made in Colorado product”.
“When you can use materials closer to where you're producing the skis,” said Ted “that cuts down on the carbon footprint. We use locally sourced sustainable wood that also helps suppress forest fires by logging overgrown areas. The wood is fantastic and it has great color, so we use a clear top sheet to show off the natural beauty of the wood. This also helps us use a lot less ink on the skis.”
Ted started his career in the private sector working in the health care sector and then a software business. After his company was bought by General Electric and Ted was “running around the world for a few years for GE,” he had a change of mind about work.
“Just then I realized I wasn't a big company guy,” said Ted thinking back. “I decided then, since I wasn’t traveling so much, I can be a little closer to home and do something that's unique, different and challenging.”
Ted said that being a “passionate lifelong skier” he found “the ski business challenging but a lot of fun and gratifying”. However, he said it is a lot of work to start a business and it is like “pushing the wagon up over the hill”. The business requires him “to do just about anything and everything. You find your hands are in a lot of different aspects of the business.”
Meier Skis highlight the beauty of local Colorado wood and focus on a quality, eco-friendly ski. The Meier teams’ sense of mission and unique product gives rise to a dedicated customer base. ILO Photos/ John Isaac Meier Skis sees itself as an “immersive brand experience” and they go about their work a little differently than the other big brands that dominate the market. “Behind the glass at our shop, you can watch the guys actually laying up and pressing skis. It shows people who are actually making the skis here the right way locally.”
Ted is also very dedicated to and appreciative of his staff’s commitment to crafting a quality ski. “They need to feel good about where they work. We definitely try to do fun things and unique things to keep them happy because it's not an easy job. It's hard work. No question.”
This extra effort to produce a unique and quality product is worth the work in Ted’s mind. “Where you get the most enjoyment is when you have people come up to you and are just genuinely excited to be here because they love what we stand for. Just seeing the smiles on people's faces when they come down the mountain on your skis and they're like ‘Oh man, I just skied top to bottom on a run’. That genuine enthusiasm on their faces really makes you feel good.”
There is a feeling at Meier Skis that the pendulum has swung towards local sustainable. Ted opined “people want to identify with a brand they want to feel proud and good about. They're just as passionate and proud as we are. They love to be affiliated with our brand.”
As the sun sets behind the majestic Rockies and another beautiful day in Denver ends, Ted tells us that he is trying to keep something special alive.
“We can compete with the big brands if we keep making a product that is creative, unique and different. We want to bring happiness to the people that are strapping on our skis and that's what we're trying to do every day.”