Elec Ski V3 System Testing
Significant learnings were made during the V2 development phase. The primary goal at that stage was to present a functional system at Skinnovation. Following this, limited testing also took place in Val Thorens, although no photos or video were recorded during that phase.
‍
After Skinnovation, and following detailed feedback from other startups and attendees interested in trying the product, Elec Ski began a major refinement phase that led to the V3 system. Formal V3 testing began once these refinements were completed.
‍
Key Design Improvements in V3
‍One of the largest areas of development between V2 and V3 was the drive track system, which provides propulsion to the skier. Early concepts explored manufacturing the track as a single injection moulded rubber component. However, this approach proved prohibitively expensive due to tooling costs. Instead, the drive tracks were completely redesigned to be modular.The V3 system introduced:

• Modular drive tracks made from linked segments
  
• Full width track blades with a large surface area, matching the best performing tracks from earlier versions
• Reduced overall system weight, which is critical for ski touring applications
• A design that reduced tooling costs by approximately 10X
  

In addition to the manufacturing advantages, the modular tracks significantly improved grip and reduced snow clogging, both of which were major issues in V1 and V2.

Traction, Belts, and Snow Clearing
‍The V3 track redesign also addressed meshing and belt reliability issues seen in earlier systems. In V1 and V2, belts could slip under load and snow could build up in deeper conditions.With V3, these issues were largely resolved through:

• Refined gear ratios
• Self centring belt behaviour that prevents derailment
• Tapered drive gears to avoid snow buildup
• Snow clearing channels built into both the drive gears and the track teeth

During testing, the belt system performed reliably and showed no signs of snow clogging, even after extended use.
‍
Wireless Remote and Pole Integration
‍Wireless remotes were introduced in V2 and proved to be a major usability improvement over wired controls. However, their original placement as add ons mounted to the side of the ski poles was not ideal. For V3, the remote system was completely redesigned to replace standard ski pole grips. The new design allows the remote to slide onto the top of existing ski poles and be secured using a single clamping grub screw.This approach made the controls significantly easier and more intuitive to use. When the product ships, the plan is to include spare standard pole grips, allowing users to quickly swap between Elec Ski assisted touring days and regular piste skiing days.
‍
V3 Testing Location and Conditions
‍Due to Skinnovation taking place in March and the subsequent design updates requiring approximately three months of continuous development, V3 testing was ready to begin in early July. With alpine resorts closed for summer, testing was carried out at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead, UK. Testing included flat terrain trials as well as incline testing equivalent to a blue run.
‍
Testing Results and Key Findings
‍Overall, the V3 system performed well and showed clear improvements over previous versions.Positive findings included:

• Significantly improved traction compared to V1 and V2
• No snow clogging observed in the drive system
• Belt system remained engaged and stable under load
• Suspension system performed better and no longer suffered from binding
• The thicker base structure no longer showed signs of snapping
• Wireless pole mounted controllers worked reliably throughout testing
• The system felt lighter and more balanced than earlier versions

Both front mounted and rear mounted configurations were tested. Front mounting provided stronger assistance due to improved weight transfer over the unit, while rear mounting felt more natural and stable, with the weight positioned closer to the ski.
‍
Identified Limitations
‍While the system delivered sufficient torque, equivalent to an e bike, a key limitation became clear during testing. The maximum motor RPM was too low.This meant that while the system could assist effectively, it could not reach typical ski touring glide speeds. In addition, the motor does not currently freewheel, making it difficult to slide naturally in certain scenarios, such as short downhill sections. These findings made it clear that a motor redesign is required (V4). As with many hardware projects, this is a significant change, as a new motor will likely require a redesign of the internal system layout.
‍
Conclusion and Next Steps
‍V3 testing marked a major step forward for Elec Ski. The system has transitioned from a fragile prototype into something genuinely usable, with reliable traction, improved durability, and far better usability.The testing confirmed that the remaining challenges are now well defined.
Key priorities moving forward are:

• Selecting a higher RPM motor
• Enabling motor freewheeling
• Improving battery retention
• Further optimisation of track blade shape and materials
• Improving gear retention on motor and freewheel shafts

A special thanks goes to the team at The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead for allowing us to test the system on site. With these learnings, development now moves toward a V4 system, bringing Elec Ski closer to a true MVP electric ski assist system.