Dynamique & Monique Through the Years
2012 - D1 Dynamique Bi-Ski (Prototype)
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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 play on words to the Bi-Unique's heritage and a nod to his vision of a "dynamic" seating system and a more independent bi-ski. This prototype never saw snow, but the ethos are still at the heart of today's Dynamique.
2013 - D2 Dynamique Bi-Ski (Prototype)
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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, Woody's 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 - D3 Dynamique Bi-Ski (Prototype)
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Prototyope D3 (left) and Chris Werhane skis Prototype D3 at Arapahoe Basin (right)
The third prototype began the work of our engineer, Bobby Luscinski. The goals remained as we explored a new directions of achieving them.
We transitioned away from the open seating system and instead a new dynamic frame design with interchangeable seats and tool-less adjustable footrests pushed the one frame fits all ideology. Testing a new linkage driven single pivot layout decoupled those suspension and chairlift system quirks from D2. 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 of 2015, we were getting close.
2015 - D4 Dynamique Bi-Ski
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A committing decision was made to start ground up again with what would become the D4 Dynamique. This would become the first version sold to skiers.
The single pivot design 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 flexibility fine tuning the comfort of the chairlift load system. The final testing before production was challengingourselves to ditch the cables and develop a cable-less chairlift load system.
Chris Werhane of Adaptive Adventures 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 - Q5 Dynamique Bi-Ski & Monique Mono-Ski
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Qd5 Dynamique (left) and Qm5 Monique (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, pushing in the up position, etc. 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.
Scott Will was instrumental testing early prototypes while Keystone Adaptive Center provided program feedback and helped define the messaging for the Monique.
2019 - Q6 Dynamique Bi-Ski & Monique Mono-Ski
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The 6th gen of the Dynamique & Monique saw the launch of our fiberglass clam shell seating systems and incremental work towards seating standarization. Scott Will provided over a season of feedback as an independent mono skier while Charley Phalen with Adaptive Athletic Specialists was invaluable extrapolating his adaptive ski program experience.
Drawing inspiration from ski boots, early prototypes were co-polymer plastic with a unique spine mechanism that changed how clamshell seating systems flexed. While the performance was exciting, infusion molded fiberglass and more traditional side ratchets better fit our 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 our new S size offering and the handle was pushed back half an inch to make room for a new XL size offering. Completing four seat sizes ranging from 12-18".
2024 - Q7 Dynamique Bi-Ski & Monique Mono-Ski
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For two years, we have quietly been testing the latest Dynamique and Monique with Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center. 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 we packed the latest Dynamique full of value: under a minute seat swap bracket, integrated fixed outriggers mount, two ride heights, 33% more suspension travel, 7% more progression, 15% more chairlift lift force, improved chairlift balance, over 200% increase to 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 entry-level 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, Jason Malczyk and Mike Ma 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 travel and demo schedule this winter or ask our engineer any technical questions.