Ski developments take centre stage at SIA Snow Show
02/02/2016
Nick Sargent previously led marketing initiatives for Burton Snowboards as vice-president of global business alliance.
“There is so much room for growth in our industry, and I’m thrilled to come on board at such a pivotal moment in the business,” he said.
Helly Hansen presented its Elevation Shell Jacket, part of the Ullr Freeride Collection. “The big story with this jacket is the technology,” said Brady Barry, specialty and sports marketing manager. “It has pillows laminated into the shell, which keeps air flowing throughout the jacket to maintain your personal microclimate.”
In hardgoods, lightweight was the buzzword, as new materials and construction produce gear that is lighter but also more technical.
Tecnica/Blizzard presented a new Zero G Guide Pro boot. “We were trying to get as much performance as we could out of a boot at a weight class as low as possible, so this is a four buckle backcountry/touring boot that comes in at 1,500 grams,” said Frank Shine, brand creative manager. “It’s a new technology called Power Light Design. It’s an injection process where we can make the walls thinner but harder, which cuts the weight, but it’s got the performance of a true committed backcountry boot.”
Rome Snowboards’ 2016/17 boards and bindings pair up to reduce weight and add precision. “We introduced the Targa binding with a super supportive highback but 10% lighter than last year, and also very customisable with a new pivot mount,” said Jeff Rudinski, Northwest representative for Rome. “We love pairing it with the new Blur freeride board, which features our Dual Arc Turbo Rods. These are hollow carbon rods that run throughout the whole board without adding any weight. Together with the Targa bindings, it’s a great new lightweight setup.”
Coalition Snow, a women’s-specific ski and snowboard company, offered five skis and two snowboards, designed and tested by women. “The idea came about on a backcountry ski trip,” said founder Jen Gurecki. “We were talking about this emerging trend of women in leadership roles in the industry, and of really good women-specific gear being produced. So I thought, now is the time to start a women’s company.”
Picture: Courtesy of Mammut
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