When Alaska Airlines reached out ahead of their holiday party, the brief was clear:
- create a shotski that could serve as a photo opportunity, be fully usable during the event, and visually tie into the event’s “World Tour” theme.

This wasn’t meant to be a prop that lived on a wall. It needed to hold up to real use, invite people to gather around it, and feel intentional alongside the rest of the event design.

The Design Intent

From the very beginning, my goal was to incorporate wood as a primary visual element.

Wood brings an inherent warmth and sense of craft that feels especially appropriate during the holidays — cozy, tactile, and unmistakably handmade. It also subtly nods to the idea of Santa’s workshop and gifts made by elves: objects that feel personal rather than mass-produced.

At the same time, this shotski needed to live within a contemporary, branded event environment. Dyeing the veneer became an important part of bridging that gap. The dyed wood preserved the natural grain and handmade character of the material, while allowing me to introduce color in a way that aligned with Alaska Airlines’ visual palette without overwhelming the surface.

That combination — natural material, intentional color, and graphic restraint — helped set the tone for the entire piece. The shotski could feel festive and warm, yet still clean, modern, and cohesive with the broader event design.

The “World Tour” theme then informed the graphic layer of the project. Incorporating the word “Cheers” in eight different languages across the base of the skis tied the object directly to the idea of travel and shared experience. Placing those words on the underside also created a small moment of delight — something for others to notice and enjoy as the participating guests lifted the shotski together — turning the piece into something people could read, recognize, and interact with rather than just observe.

Expanding the Process to Match the Design

To achieve the look and durability the design called for, I expanded my process in a few key ways.

This project required building and using a vacuum press system for the first time, including custom cauls designed specifically to laminate dyed veneer onto a curved ski surface. The goal was a clean, consistent bond that followed the natural shape of the skis without distortion.

It was also my first time working extensively with wood veneer at this scale — dyeing it, laser cutting detailed graphics, and integrating those elements into a finished surface that would ultimately be handled by dozens of people throughout the night.

These weren’t experiments for their own sake; they were deliberate choices made to support the final design and ensure the piece could hold up to real use.

Materials and Craft

Key elements of the build included:

Reclaimed skis as the structural base
Dyed maple veneer laminated to the ski surface
Laser-cut wood graphics and vinyl details
Flood-coated epoxy for durability and depth
Hand-finished edges and detailing throughout

The goal was a balance of warmth and resilience — something visually rich, but tough enough for an active event environment.

Supporting the Experience: Custom Stir Sticks

Alongside the shotski, I was also asked to produce 1,250 custom acrylic drink stir sticks for the event.

Each stir stick featured the word “Hello” in five different languages, echoing the same global theme used throughout the party and reinforcing the idea of travel, connection, and shared experience.

While very different in scale and material from the shotski, the stir sticks were designed with the same intention:

Clear typography
Consistent branding
Durable enough for real use

Together, the shotski and stir sticks became part of a cohesive design language — one focused on participation rather than decoration.

Elevating the Presentation

Late in the build, it became clear that the shotski needed more than just a great finish — it needed a thoughtful way to be presented and handled during the event.

I designed and built a set of custom maple display blocks, milled from locally sourced Mirrormont maple. These blocks served several purposes:

Protecting the finished surfaces
Elevating the piece visually
Making it easier to lift and use without spills

Each block featured a routed edge detail, black suede padding, and gold mirrored acrylic plaques reading “Drink &” and “Be Merry” — a subtle touch that framed the shotski as both functional and intentional.

The Result

The finished shotski was delivered in person to the Alaska Airlines holiday party and set up as a shared focal point for the evening. While it was a busy event, the reactions I did see — and the fact that every business card left beside it was taken — made the long hours worthwhile.

Projects like this are a reminder of why I enjoy custom work so much: the chance to blend design, craftsmanship, and problem-solving into objects people genuinely interact with.

Custom Shotski for Alaska Airlines