What actually goes into designing a ski or a boot—and why do some products feel right while others miss the mark?

In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, Craig sits down with Thor Verdonk, Global Technical Director for the Rossignol Group, for a deep dive into how modern ski equipment is conceived, tested, refined, and brought to market. With more than 30 years inside Rossignol, Dynastar, and Lange, Thor shares a rare behind-the-scenes look at the intersection of athlete feedback, engineering, materials, and real-world skiing.

They cover everything from World Cup race ski development and on-snow testing, to boot design, rocker trends, materials like carbon and metal, sustainability in manufacturing, and how recreational skiers should actually think about choosing equipment. Along the way, Thor explains concepts like “snow contact,” why boots haven’t changed much on the outside—but have evolved dramatically on the inside—and where ski design is headed next.

Whether you’re a racer, a gear nerd, or simply someone who wants to make smarter choices about your equipment, this conversation offers insight you won’t hear anywhere else.