Shaggy’s Copper Country Skis | Small town charm, big mountain skis

Located at the southeast end of Lake Charlevoix is Boyne City Michigan. A city that comes to life in the summer with several small boutique shops, friendly people, and great restaurants that offer a killer sunset over the lake. With a population of less than 4000 people, Boyne City is the epitome of a quaint Northern Michigan town. It’s also the home of Shaggy’s Copper Country Skis. A small, family run ski manufacturer that build from their passion for the sport, some the raddest boards in the Midwest.

After a few years of building skis as a hobby, the Thompson’s officially offered their first skis to the public in 2008. And the Shaggy’s story began. Actually, it began in 1908 when their great-grand-uncle Sulo “Shaggy” Lehto starting hand carving wooden skis for their family and friends in Kearsarge, Michigan. A village located in the heart of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. Also known as Copper Country due to the mining history in the area. As a tribute to Uncle “Shaggy”, the Thompson family has picked up the ski building heritage where he left off.

With strong European heritage, I’ve been strapped to skis ever since I could walk. My wife is a former local ski instructor and both our sons cut their teeth racing on the slopes of Boyne Mountain. Although we have a ski racing background, as a family, we look to the west for the “big mountain” experience. Recent trips to Colorado, Utah, British Columbia and Washington exposed our need for a big mountain ski. Something with the width to stay on top of blower powder and the maneuverability to rip through the trees. So we decided to buy local and have Shaggy’s build us exactly what we needed.

Ski design and build video:

It all started this past summer when we met with Jeff Thomson to discuss the process. In a rustic office above the showroom, we sat down to hash out which ski model would best suit our needs. Brandie settled on the Medora 105 and me the larger waisted Ahmeek 115. Just to clarify, we did have a chance to test these models at the end of the previous season. But this is were the experience differs from purchasing skis from a big manufacturer. For a small additional fee, the customer can design the top sheet graphics. Making a totally unique pair of skis that will surely instigate lift line conversations.

My design plan was to pay tribute to my former military unit, the 2nd Ranger Battalion. A patriotic theme with a subdued flag, the 75th Regimental crest and the orange <2> diamond worn by the Rangers of WW2. My wife went a more whimsical route with a sunny blue sky day on the tips to represent the perfect ski day. And a clear moonlit night over a ski village depicting the ideal apres-ski activities. Once the final designs were agreed upon, a build date was scheduled. And this is were it gets even better. I was invited behind the curtain to not only witness the building of my skis, but to actually get my hands dirty and help with the lay-up process.

It all starts with various wood species sourced from Matelski Lumber located 6 miles up the road. The same lumber yard I’ve used over the past 20 years as a General Contractor. Once the wood arrives at Shaggy’s, they rip it to width, test the flex to insure uniformity and glue the wood pieces together forming the core. Then the CNC machine profiles and shapes the core of the ski. From here, a methodical lay-up of the base, wood core, fiberglass, carbon fiber and the epoxy to bond it all together begins. Once laid-up, the sandwich of materials is compressed and heated to form the ski. From start to finish, a single pair of skis will take the equivalent of a full day to manufacture.

The end result is a beautiful pair of custom skis. Manufactured locally by a family of die-hard skiers from raw materials sourced right here in Northern Michigan. Located only 40 minutes from where we live, the whole process redefines the term “buying local”. Now it’s time to let the snow gods do their thing so we can shred the big mountains out west with these personalized pow-slaying planks.

Cat Skiing in Utah with Shaggy’s Copper Country Skis

If you’re interested in ordering a pair of Shaggy’s Copper Country Skis, you don’t have to be a local. Just reach out to the Thompsons and let them guide you down the path to ski nirvana. And before you know it, you’ll be part of the family too.