Brief

moguls for moguls

The promise: talk about going downhill in style. For a mere $9,800, even the most novice schussboomer can race down the Alps on the Supersport ski, a collaboration between Swiss skimaker Zai and luxury carmaker Bentley Motors. Lightweight and flexible, thanks to a carbon-fiber compound, each set is crafted by hand—and comes with luxe extras such as poles with sewn handles and a matching ski bag. As for Bentley’s contribution? Zai says it worked with designers there to arrive at the skis’ diamond shape and "sports-car styling." But alas, they left off the hood ornament.

The reality: seth Masia, a ski product development consultant, agrees that handcrafted skis have an edge over the machine-made variety, as the former’s components generally fit together without gaps. But then, says Masia, serious alpinists can find that same black-diamond control in good custom skis, which cost a fraction of the price (around $1,500 for some). Zai senior designer Simon Jacomet acknowledges the skis’ eye-catching price but says their extreme durability makes them worth it. (Zai skis last more than 450 days on the slopes, he says—three to four times longer than mass-produced brands.) Now, if only you could afford the lift tickets.