Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

New snow gear pairs fashion & function

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Created on Wednesday, 01 December 2010 18:13

Written by Dena Rosenberry

Patterns, basic blacks and bright colors mark the gear of these skiers/riders on opening day this season at Loveland Ski Area (Nate Dogggg, Meesh Hytner and Jeff Meyer). Judy DeHaas, The Denver Post.

By Jeff DeMoss, Standard-Examiner, Ogden, Utah

When it comes to fashion, you could refer to ski slopes as the longest runways in the world.

As skiing and snowboarding continue to evolve and grow as sports, so do the trends in fashion that accompany them, from the Day-Glo, one-piece ski suits of the '80s and early '90s to the more subdued earth tones that followed to the colors, patterns and styles popular today.

Last winter, Snowsports Industries America's inaugural Snow Show in Denver drew media, athletes, personalities and politicians to observe and show off the latest in fashion AND function.

To most, technologies that help improve performance, safety and enjoyment are more important than fashion.  But you don't have to choose.

"I'd rather be warm and comfortable than look good, but if you know what you're looking for, you can have both," skier Kate Williamson said while shopping for a ski hat and gloves in Ogden.

There are outerwear styles and colors - brights, earth tones, plaids, geometrics, prints - to match diverse personalities.

"We are seeing a demand from the progressive riders for longer jackets to keep them covered while they are riding in the park, but still with the same flattering silhouettes," says Katie Bedwell, senior product manager for Burton women's outerwear.

Cappel upgradedinsulation by using PrimaLoft Sport and Infinity in its high-end pieces. Ride features a new printed application that appears transparent.

Sidecountry skiers and boarders demand technical, yet stylish outerwear.

Marmot's Coombs Collection, marketed to sidecountry fans, is named after legendary big-mountain skier Doug Coombs.  Salomon introduced the S-Line, a three-in-one jacket that combines mobility and waterproofness.  Mountain Hardwear introduced portable power jackets enabled by Ardica Technologies that can generate nearly nine hours of heat.

Helmet and goggle technology integrates safety improvements with style and performance.

"Rocker" or "reverse camber" technology has electrified the ski and snowboard markets and continues to evolve. The terms refer to a design in which both ends of skis or a snowboard are bowed upward to make for a smoother ride, especially in powder.

By working with varying degrees of early rise in the tips and tails of skis and snowboards, manufacturers can create better float in powder, easier turn initiation in any condition, and more fun for everyone on the slopes.

(Watch for a story by R. Scott Rappold on locals who are rocking rockers.  In the meantime, here's a piece Andy Wineke did on why people turn to rockers.

In snowboards, Burton's Custom Flying V for dudes and Lip Stick for ladies maintain the "pop" of traditional camber but also integrate the more laid-back ride of rocker.  Lib-Tech's banana technology is a big splash for the T. Rice pro model splitboard called the "Voila".

Ride's OMG features new proprietary "ProRize" shapes with a long flat zone for landing stability and pop.  And Palmer's FLF (Feels Like Flying) Rocker design is featured in the redesigned Burn, Pulse, and Halo.

In skis, K2 unveiled its "Baseline" technology, with six camber tech stories from the groomed to the backcountry to the halfpipe.  Voelkl's Extended Low Profile debuted for big mountains and freestyle.

Salomon got stiffer on all-mountain in the Sentinel and Enduro, as did Nordica's Fire Arrow.  Rossignol's Avenger espouses all-mountain ease, and HEAD's Carlos, Elan's Olympus and Atomic's Atlas tune rock to a backcountry beat.

Lighter and faster is another ever-evolving trend.  For example, the weight of Rossignol's X-ium Skate package (including ski, boot, and binding) has decreased by 230 grams below previous models.