The History of Stöckli Skis

From a Family Workshop to a Swiss Ski Manufacturer

Stöckli’s history began in 1935, when Josef Stöckli made his first pair of skis from ash wood in his parents’ workshop in Wolhusen, Switzerland. The official Stöckli history describes Josef as an inventor from the beginning. Even while making his earliest skis, he looked for ways to reduce weight and improve how they performed.

That combination of practical experimentation, careful construction and attention to skiing performance became the foundation of the company. Stöckli has continued to develop skis in Switzerland while maintaining a strong connection between design, racing feedback and manufacturing.

1935: Josef Stöckli Builds His First Skis

Josef Stöckli made his first skis for his own use in the mid-1930s. The first pair identified by Stöckli was made from ash wood in the workshop at his parents’ home in Wolhusen.

Stöckli’s official account emphasizes that Josef was already experimenting with construction. He cut grooves into early skis to reduce weight, showing the problem-solving approach that would remain part of the company’s identity.

1957 and 1965: New Ski Construction

Stöckli began producing its first metal skis in 1957. In 1965, the company produced its first compound and plastic skis.

These milestones document Stöckli’s transition beyond traditional all-wood construction. They also show that the company was actively adapting its manufacturing methods as ski materials and construction techniques changed.

1986: Ski Manufacturing in Malters

According to Stöckli, world-class skis have been made at its manufacturing site in Malters, Switzerland, since 1986. Malters remains the center of Stöckli ski production.

The manufacturing operation combines established ski-building knowledge with modern production technology. Stöckli describes the process as a combination of tradition, technological innovation, racing expertise and continuous product development.

1994: Entry into the Swiss Ski Pool

After achieving success at the regional level, Stöckli was admitted to the Swiss ski pool in 1994. Olympic silver medalist Urs Kälin then became the first Swiss ski-pool athlete to race on Stöckli skis.

This was an important step in the company’s racing development. Competition at the highest level gave Stöckli a demanding environment for testing ski construction, speed, stability and precision.

Racing Success and World Cup Records

Stöckli’s official history highlights major achievements by athletes racing on the company’s skis. Tina Maze and Marco Odermatt each set the World Cup points record in their respective women’s and men’s competitions while skiing on Stöckli.

Those results connect the company’s racing program directly to its broader history. Stöckli continues to use competition experience as part of ski development and performance testing.

How Stöckli Skis Are Made Today

Stöckli continues to manufacture its skis in Malters. The company states that each ski moves through approximately 140 individual production steps. The process combines manual work with specialized machinery and detailed quality control.

Stöckli’s current manufacturing message remains consistent with the company’s origins: skis are developed and produced with an emphasis on precision, durability and performance. The company also offers a four-year warranty on qualifying Stöckli skis under its current warranty program.

Timeline of verified Stöckli history milestones from 1935 to the present

A History Built Around Swiss Manufacturing

Stöckli’s documented history begins with Josef Stöckli’s ash-wood skis in 1935 and continues through metal construction, compound skis, the Malters manufacturing site and international racing success.

The company’s history is not simply a list of ski models. It is the story of a Swiss manufacturer that has kept ski development, production and racing closely connected for generations.