Dynamique & Monique Through the Years

2012 - 1st gen Dynamique Bi Ski (Prototype)

Prototype D1 in ski (left) and chairlift position (right)

In 1986, our founder Woody Witte innovated the Bi-Unique Bi Ski and for over 25 years it became the workhorse for adaptive skiers around the world. In 2012, he began working on Enabling Tech's next generation of bi ski. He named it the Dynamique. A nod to his vision of a "dynamic" seating system and a play on words to the Bi-Unique's heritage. This prototype never saw snow, but the naming ethos are still at the heart of today's Dynamique.

2013 - 2nd gen Dynamique Bi Ski (Prototype)

Woody Witte feels out prototype D2's dynamic seating system (left) and refines the chairlift load system (right)

Woody developed the second Dynamique prototype for an individual named Bob. Bob was a larger man who wanted to ski, but did not fit in traditional sit ski seats. Bob's case let Woody explore the potential of his open dynamic seating idea.

The second prototype also explored Woody's "tensioned chairlift load system" idea.  Most sit skis at the time used a physically locked up position that required timing and patience to become settled as the chairlift leaves the station.  A few mono skis had explored systems that relied on core strength, leaning forwards to hold the sit ski up and leaning back to release when loading onto the chairlift, but Woody knew the average bi skier wouldn't have this core strength. His goal was to develop a mechanical system that emulated how those mono skis worked. While today's system looks different, the concept remains a cornerstone of how the Dynamique's load system works. 

Prototype D2 was tested at Winter Park, CO with the help of the National Sports Center for the Disabled.  We quickly learned the limits of an open seating system and the suspension / chairlift systems had quirks, but there was excitement and promise within the ideas.

2014 - 3rd gen Dynamique Bi Ski (Prototype)

Our engineer Bobby Luscinski (left) and Chris Werhane (right) testing a D3 prototype at Arapahoe Basin

The third prototype began the work of our engineer, Bobby Luscinski. The goals remained the same, but we explored new directions of achieving them. 

We transitioned away from the open seating system and instead a new dynamic frame design with interchangeable clamshell seats and tool-less adjustable footrests pushed the one frame fits all ideology. We were able to decouple the suspension and chairlift system quirks from D2 by testing a linkage driven single pivot layout. The decoupling  enabled us to push the bi skis performance further and refine towards a simpler more reliable tensioned chairlift load system.  

Chris Werhane with Adaptive adventures played a key role testing this prototype at Arapahoe Basin, CO.  By spring, we were getting close.

2015 - 4th gen Dynamique Bi Ski

Tara Gorman, Colleen Farrel (left) and Charley Phelan (right) try out the first production Dynamique

A committing decision was made to start ground up again with what would become the 4th gen Dynamique, the first version sold to skiers.

The single pivot layout historically used on bi skis was swapped for A-arms more commonly used on mono skis. This unlocked the Dynamique's potential. The A-arms provided mono-like performance and design freedom fine tuning the chairlift load system balance. The final phase before production was challenging ourselves to ditch the cables and develop a cable-less shifter for the chairlift load system.

Chris Werhane continued to lend his insight through early testing and Ignite Adaptive Sports of Eldora, CO provided our first program feedback. That spring, the Dynamique was unveiled at the Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass, CO

2018 - 5th gen Dynamique Bi Ski & Monique Mono Ski

Charley Phelan helps tether a Dynamique Fixed Outriggers prototype (left) Trevor Kennison tests a Monique prototype (right)

In 2018, we launched the Monique Mono ski. The Monique was a niche project to bridge the learning gap between bi skis and mono skis. We developed the Monique off the shared framework of the Dynamique hoping it would give familiar confidence to bi skiers making their first leap to mono skiing. 

While developing the Monique and exploring what a more approachable mono ski looks like, we dove deeper into chairlift load heights. Because of the shared framework, we were able to take everything we learned developing the Monique and reverse engineer it into a Dynamique refresh. The balance of the Dynamique's up position was improved and the load height was lowered to aid independent skiers.

The 5th gen also saw the introduction of the NEXGen Fixed Outriggers for the Dynamique. Changes were made to the articulating mechanism to accommodate mounting fixed outriggers. A retrofit kit was developed to allow compatibility with the Bi-Unique and earlier 4th gens Dynamiques.

Charley Phelan with Adaptive Athletic Specialists, Chris Werhane of Adaptive Adventures, Louis Smith of Adaptive Sports New Mexico, Scott Will and Trevor Kennison were instrumental testing prototypes while Keystone Adaptive Center provided our first program feedback. 

2019 - 6th gen Dynamique Bi Ski & Monique Mono Ski

A seat angle adjustment protype that never went to market (left) and part of the production closed injection infusion fiberglass mold tooling (right)

The 6th gen of the Dynamique & Monique saw incremental work towards seating standardization in prep for the launch of our fiberglass clam shell seating systems.  Scott Will provided over a season of feedback as an independent mono skier while Charley Phelan was invaluable extrapolating his program experience.

Drawing inspiration from ski boots, early prototypes were co-polymer plastic with a unique spine mechanism that changed how the clamshell seating system flexed.  While the performance was exciting, an investment in infusion molded fiberglass and more traditional side ratchets better fit our long term consistency goals. Those goals have finally manifested in the new seat brackets for our Pique Mono Ski and incoming 7th gen Dynamique and Monique.  Changing seat sizes is easier than ever before. 

6th gen frames saw an update to the seat mounting pattern to accommodate a new small size offering and the handle was pushed back to make room for a new extra large size offering. Completing four seat sizes ranging from 12-18".

2024 - 7th gen Dynamique Bi Ski & Monique Mono Ski

Tony Vasile and Yuri Czmola test the low ride height Dynamique (left) Jason Malczyk and our engineer Bobby Luscinski independently take a lap together on the Dynamique & Monique (right)

For two years, we have been quietly testing the latest Dynamique and Monique with Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center and Steamboat STARS. The 7th gen represents our largest revamp to date on a new standardized platform.

See the Dynamique Bi Ski Collection page to learn more, but the 7th gen is built to challenge the limits of what is possible in a bi ski. We packed the latest revamp full of value: under a minute seat swap bracket, integrated fixed outriggers, two ride heights, 33% more suspension travel, 7% more progression, 30% more chairlift lift force, improved chairlift balance, over 200% increase in torsional power transfer, and the list goes on. We also overhauled the Monique with many of the same improvements. With the introduction of our Pique mono ski, we simplified the Monique's suspension layout to solidify it as a more budget conscious beginner offering. 

With a weak snow year in Colorado, we were fortunate for the community's generosity to help push this project over the finish line at Big Snow American Dream, NJ. A large thank you goes to Yuri Czmola with Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, Tony Vasile with Adaptive Sports Foundation, Mike Ma with Adaptive Sports Mount Snow and Jason Malczyk for their time and contributions on that trip.  While the photos on our website are "pre-production", we're excited to share the next generation of Dynamique and Monique with everyone who helps us put smiles on the mountain.

Please feel free to contact us to learn our sales rep's demo schedule this winter or ask our engineer any technical questions.