WNDR Alpine Recognized for Algal Core

Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, WNDR Alpine last year unveiled the Intention 110, the first-ever ski to feature the Algal Core, a ski core that utilizes high density, algae-derived polyurethane stringers to increase torsional rigidity and stability without adding weight to the skis. The brand’s inclusion of algae-derived materials not only helps boost the ski’s performance but decreases the use of petroleum-based materials. The innovation was recently showcased as a winner of the Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards.

“We had been expecting that core skier would quickly gravitate to the opportunity to ski harder on new materials, but we never expected to enjoy the accolades of such a wide-reaching publication like Fast Company so early on,” said Matthew Sterbenz, WNDR founder and general manager. “To me, it shows that consumers are genuinely looking for products built with new, better ingredients.”

A highly sought-after design award, Fast Company‘s Innovation by Design Awards recognizes people, teams and companies solving problems creatively at the intersection of design, business and innovation. Sports and Recreation is a new category this year for the awards, which are decided by a panel of renowned designers from a variety of disciplines. Winners, finalists, and honorable mentions are featured online and in the October/November 2020 issue of Fast Company magazine, on newsstands October 20.

Now gearing up for its second winter season on the market, WNDR Alpine was founded in July 2019 as a brand under the umbrella of Checkerspot, an advanced materials company that specializes in the development of next-generation polyurethanes and textile coatings and finishes.