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From November 2006
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Winter Toybox: Boards, Skis, Boots
Nearly one million Californians, judging by reported lift-ticket sales, enjoyed the mountain slopes last year. Itching to get on those boards or skis and fly? While you wait for the winter season to rev up, here’s a rundown of trends in 2007 board and ski gear.
The Perfect Stick
Burton’s Vapor claims to be the lightest board on the market due to its composition of NASA-approved, space-age materials. The core is aluminum with a honeycomb structure instead of wood, and this year’s model is a little less stiff.
Slightly wavy edges, known as Magne-Traction technology, provides for more contact points when holding an edge. Look for it on Gnu’s Altered Genetics board by Mervin.
Salomon’s Ivy board is a top pick in the women’s freestyle category. It pops around nicely, offers good stability, and seems well-suited for smaller women and women with smaller feet. Again, look for Roxy’s Envy model, a popular 2006 women’s board with the Magne-Traction feature.
Burton came out with a midseason launch last year to show off its equally symmetrical or twin-freestyle series for women. The twin board for guys had a two-year head start. With twin ends, tricks are even easier when you can switch your feet around. Twins are sure to be a crowd pleaser in the pipe this season.
Ski Versatility Is Key
If you haven’t shopped for skis in the last few years, don’t let the variety frazzle you. There are three basic categories with numerous subcategories to review, but what you choose should depend on your ability, how you like to ski and where. Do you stay on groomed trails and runs? Do you prefer deep powder or the freestyle park?
Ski manufacturers are providing more versatility as skiers, especially women, demand more from their equipment. The pendulum reportedly has started swinging back from boards to skis.
“Snowboarders are coming back to skiing, now that skiing is getting more versatile,” says Jared Snelson at Sierra Snowboard Ski and Patio. “Freestyle skis with twin tips make turning a lot easier, and brands like K2 are delivering more park skis for women.”
Women’s park skis will be strong again this year, and K2 intends to keep its edge in that market with its popular Luv series. Fischer and Nordica skis put in strong performances for men and women proved to be popular when faced with hard-packed snow and speed. Nordica was successful by incorporating layers of metal into its Hot Rod series for experts.
“Nordica has done well with its technology that lets the ski flex more easily but also keeps it stiff in its twisting motion,” says Snelson. “The result is a smooth-flowing ski that maintains its integrity, even on ice.”
Boots, Bindings, Beyond
Check out Salomon Snowboards online to see the latest in this year’s boots. Three years ago, Salomon introduced its Fusion line, which is a less-bulky boot with a compact liner that provides a smaller boot profile.
“If you’re a tall guy like me, with a size 13 foot, it’s a huge issue,” notes Snelson. “If your feet can be streamlined to have a size 12 profile, you eliminate toe dragging, and you have more board options.”
Ride has the F boot series, which also produces a lower profile for more style selections. Boots by ThirtyTwo were big sellers last year, both for women and men, because the design offered plenty of flexibility to get a good fit.
“Our goal is to achieve a good, customized boot fit so we don’t offer a lot of boot/board or boot/ski packages. We want our customers to get the best boot fit first, then we have them select their board or ski.”
Surprisingly, most snowboard boots are still lace-ups, which take time and patience whenever they are put on, adjusted or removed. Look for a growing trend that is long on convenience and practicality — new lacing systems. K2 and Vans boots introduced the BOA System on their boots last year, where the elastic lacing is uniformly adjusted by turning a small disc at the top of the boot. Burton has taken that concept one step further with speedlacing, which provides for individual upper or lower zone adjustments.
As ski boots evolve, they continue to deliver a better fit for most people. Today, you can choose a boot style to accommodate your skiing style, as well as your bone structure. There are boots categorized as ultra-high performance, high performance, high performance-all mountain, high performance park and pipe, performance, advanced, and women’s high performance.
The best way to buy a boot is to head out to your favorite shop and plan to spend a good amount of time walking around in several pairs. Snelson is convinced most boarders and skiers are using boots that are just too large. Be sure to work with a knowledgeable technician when making your choice. Top manufacturers include Tecnica, Salomon, Nordica, Lange, Head, Fischer, Atomic, Dalbello, Dolomite and Rossignol.
Nordica’s ski boots were ahead of many other manufacturers in the pack last year with their boots. The SpeedMachine line for men featured a new shell with a snug heel that helps keep the heel down in the boot while still providing comfort. According to Snelson, Head’s Edge Series sold well for women, also.
In other slope-related news, Bob Roberts, executive director of the California Ski Industry Association, says boarders and skiers are becoming more environmentally conscious. “The industry has gotten increasingly green. It’s using more green energy at the resorts, recycling, and carpooling in an effort to make it part of the culture of sustainable slopes that are a concern to many consumers,” he says.
“The resorts are very competitive. Whole new villages are going up at Squaw Valley, Northstar, Heavenly, Mammoth and Sugar Bowl, with extra amenities, special events and tremendous deals. Now there are sophisticated websites with web cameras that allow consumers to view conditions before taking the drive.”
Slope Scope
By Jeanne Winnick BrennanNearly one million Californians, judging by reported lift-ticket sales, enjoyed the mountain slopes last year. Itching to get on those boards or skis and fly? While you wait for the winter season to rev up, here’s a rundown of trends in 2007 board and ski gear.
The Perfect Stick
Burton’s Vapor claims to be the lightest board on the market due to its composition of NASA-approved, space-age materials. The core is aluminum with a honeycomb structure instead of wood, and this year’s model is a little less stiff.
Slightly wavy edges, known as Magne-Traction technology, provides for more contact points when holding an edge. Look for it on Gnu’s Altered Genetics board by Mervin.
Salomon’s Ivy board is a top pick in the women’s freestyle category. It pops around nicely, offers good stability, and seems well-suited for smaller women and women with smaller feet. Again, look for Roxy’s Envy model, a popular 2006 women’s board with the Magne-Traction feature.
Burton came out with a midseason launch last year to show off its equally symmetrical or twin-freestyle series for women. The twin board for guys had a two-year head start. With twin ends, tricks are even easier when you can switch your feet around. Twins are sure to be a crowd pleaser in the pipe this season.
Ski Versatility Is Key
If you haven’t shopped for skis in the last few years, don’t let the variety frazzle you. There are three basic categories with numerous subcategories to review, but what you choose should depend on your ability, how you like to ski and where. Do you stay on groomed trails and runs? Do you prefer deep powder or the freestyle park?
Ski manufacturers are providing more versatility as skiers, especially women, demand more from their equipment. The pendulum reportedly has started swinging back from boards to skis.
“Snowboarders are coming back to skiing, now that skiing is getting more versatile,” says Jared Snelson at Sierra Snowboard Ski and Patio. “Freestyle skis with twin tips make turning a lot easier, and brands like K2 are delivering more park skis for women.”
Women’s park skis will be strong again this year, and K2 intends to keep its edge in that market with its popular Luv series. Fischer and Nordica skis put in strong performances for men and women proved to be popular when faced with hard-packed snow and speed. Nordica was successful by incorporating layers of metal into its Hot Rod series for experts.
“Nordica has done well with its technology that lets the ski flex more easily but also keeps it stiff in its twisting motion,” says Snelson. “The result is a smooth-flowing ski that maintains its integrity, even on ice.”
Boots, Bindings, Beyond
Check out Salomon Snowboards online to see the latest in this year’s boots. Three years ago, Salomon introduced its Fusion line, which is a less-bulky boot with a compact liner that provides a smaller boot profile.
“If you’re a tall guy like me, with a size 13 foot, it’s a huge issue,” notes Snelson. “If your feet can be streamlined to have a size 12 profile, you eliminate toe dragging, and you have more board options.”
Ride has the F boot series, which also produces a lower profile for more style selections. Boots by ThirtyTwo were big sellers last year, both for women and men, because the design offered plenty of flexibility to get a good fit.
“Our goal is to achieve a good, customized boot fit so we don’t offer a lot of boot/board or boot/ski packages. We want our customers to get the best boot fit first, then we have them select their board or ski.”
Surprisingly, most snowboard boots are still lace-ups, which take time and patience whenever they are put on, adjusted or removed. Look for a growing trend that is long on convenience and practicality — new lacing systems. K2 and Vans boots introduced the BOA System on their boots last year, where the elastic lacing is uniformly adjusted by turning a small disc at the top of the boot. Burton has taken that concept one step further with speedlacing, which provides for individual upper or lower zone adjustments.
As ski boots evolve, they continue to deliver a better fit for most people. Today, you can choose a boot style to accommodate your skiing style, as well as your bone structure. There are boots categorized as ultra-high performance, high performance, high performance-all mountain, high performance park and pipe, performance, advanced, and women’s high performance.
The best way to buy a boot is to head out to your favorite shop and plan to spend a good amount of time walking around in several pairs. Snelson is convinced most boarders and skiers are using boots that are just too large. Be sure to work with a knowledgeable technician when making your choice. Top manufacturers include Tecnica, Salomon, Nordica, Lange, Head, Fischer, Atomic, Dalbello, Dolomite and Rossignol.
Nordica’s ski boots were ahead of many other manufacturers in the pack last year with their boots. The SpeedMachine line for men featured a new shell with a snug heel that helps keep the heel down in the boot while still providing comfort. According to Snelson, Head’s Edge Series sold well for women, also.
In other slope-related news, Bob Roberts, executive director of the California Ski Industry Association, says boarders and skiers are becoming more environmentally conscious. “The industry has gotten increasingly green. It’s using more green energy at the resorts, recycling, and carpooling in an effort to make it part of the culture of sustainable slopes that are a concern to many consumers,” he says.
“The resorts are very competitive. Whole new villages are going up at Squaw Valley, Northstar, Heavenly, Mammoth and Sugar Bowl, with extra amenities, special events and tremendous deals. Now there are sophisticated websites with web cameras that allow consumers to view conditions before taking the drive.”
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