Ski touring poles · Test magazine 2024
Tech talk with Werner Koch, CONTOUR
Owner and Managing Director · Print page 57
Who is Werner Koch? Owner and Managing Director of CONTOUR
Werner Koch is the owner and managing director of CONTOUR and grew up in the family business. A keen ski tourer, he regularly spends time in the mountains around Innsbruck. In his interview for the BACKLINE 2024 test magazine, he explains the expansion into ski touring poles of a range previously known primarily for climbing skins.
Following the success of the contour startUp touring adapter for children, Koch describes touring poles as a logical next step to offer specialist retailers a broader portfolio. They were also intended to make the brand more visible on ski tours. The challenge was to meet the requirements of a touring pole, keep pricing attractive and manufacture in the Alpine region. The poles are made in Italy near Bassano del Grappa.
Koch highlights the combined internal and external locking system as a key feature. According to him, it provides high holding strength and thus additional safety on steep terrain. Alongside the tested StiX², he mentions the three-section StiX³, aimed particularly at splitboarders. CONTOUR intends to carefully assess further steps in model development.
Contour is known among ski touring enthusiasts as a specialist for ski skins. How did the decision to develop your own touring poles come about?
It's true, contour has primarily been known for its high-quality ski skins up to now. With the success of the contour startUp touring adapter for children, we showed that we can also develop and manufacture things other than ski skins. Touring poles were then a logical step to expand our core product range and to offer retailers a broader portfolio.
How long did contour work on the market launch and what goals did you pursue?
An important goal was to give the contour brand more visibility during ski tours, which is naturally difficult with ski skins when in use. At the same time, the product should, of course, be able to do everything expected of a touring pole and remain attractively priced.
What was the biggest challenge in product development?
Achieving precisely this balancing act – meeting all requirements, being suitable for a mass market, and still being able to manufacture locally in the Alpine region. Our touring poles are manufactured in Italy near Bassano del Grappa.
Which feature or technology would you particularly highlight in contour's new pole compared to the competition?
The most important feature is certainly the combined internal and external clamping system, which ensures extremely high stability, an enormous safety advantage especially on steep terrain.
Does contour plan to introduce additional pole models in the future?
Currently, in addition to the tested StiX² model, we also have the StiX³ model. A three-piece pole that is particularly aimed at splitboarders. We will carefully examine further steps.
