Ski Gear
BY J. MICHAEL RIVERA
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Skiers and snowboarders will turn the clock back 20 years or more this winter, as styles and technology popularized by skateboarders and surfers of the 1980s will be seen on the slopes this season.
“We’ve seen things revert back to ‘80s styling,” said Steve Nelson, manager of Sundance Sports at its new location in Lincoln Center. Sundance Sports moved in July, after spending 25 years at its previous site near Benjamin Holt Drive and I-5.
A bright, retro-inspired palette, skeleton and pre-XBox video-game graphics reminiscent of punk and new wave album covers create a strong visual focus for skis and snowboards this season. Because professional riders wear equipment and merchandise a full season before it hits store shelves, they strongly influence what fashion-forward riders are wearing and carving the powder with on the slopes, Nelson said.
“Kids see what the new trends will be,” Nelson said, “and that’s what becomes popular.”
Sundance Sports carries plenty of ski apparel in nondescript earth tones, in case customers lack the hutzpah to pull off a fluorescent green or plaid ski outfit. “We are in the Central Valley, so we have to cater to all tastes,” Nelson said.
Ski and snowboard technology has taken a cue from skateboard design, and has revolutionized winter sports by offering increased maneuverability in heavy powder conditions.
Burton, considered the frontrunner in snowboard popularity, has seen competition in recent years from K2 and DC, which ventured into the equipment side of winter sports after several successful years in sports apparel.
Meanwhile, longtime ski manufacturer Rossignol has earned a resurgence in popularity due to the emergence of reverse camber technology.
“A lot of younger kids who automatically went into snowboarding have come back to skiing because of the new technology,” Nelson said.
Skis and snowboards are increasingly being made with their front and rear tips pointed upward – reverse camber – as in skateboards. This design tip, also known as “banana technology” for its curved shape, allows skiers and snowboarders to carve through deep powder with greater efficiency and speed.
“Because (reverse-cambered) skis bend upward, you can float better in powder,” said Joe Stacher, owner of 4 Seasons Sports in downtown Lodi.
Because of San Joaquin County’s proximity to premiere ski locations, both Sundance Sports and 4 Seasons staff expect a busy winter season.
“Kirkwood’s a big draw because it’s so close,” Stacher said, “but really, we’re close to everywhere.”
“We’ve seen things revert back to ‘80s styling,” said Steve Nelson, manager of Sundance Sports at its new location in Lincoln Center. Sundance Sports moved in July, after spending 25 years at its previous site near Benjamin Holt Drive and I-5.
A bright, retro-inspired palette, skeleton and pre-XBox video-game graphics reminiscent of punk and new wave album covers create a strong visual focus for skis and snowboards this season. Because professional riders wear equipment and merchandise a full season before it hits store shelves, they strongly influence what fashion-forward riders are wearing and carving the powder with on the slopes, Nelson said.
“Kids see what the new trends will be,” Nelson said, “and that’s what becomes popular.”
Sundance Sports carries plenty of ski apparel in nondescript earth tones, in case customers lack the hutzpah to pull off a fluorescent green or plaid ski outfit. “We are in the Central Valley, so we have to cater to all tastes,” Nelson said.
Ski and snowboard technology has taken a cue from skateboard design, and has revolutionized winter sports by offering increased maneuverability in heavy powder conditions.
Burton, considered the frontrunner in snowboard popularity, has seen competition in recent years from K2 and DC, which ventured into the equipment side of winter sports after several successful years in sports apparel.
Meanwhile, longtime ski manufacturer Rossignol has earned a resurgence in popularity due to the emergence of reverse camber technology.
“A lot of younger kids who automatically went into snowboarding have come back to skiing because of the new technology,” Nelson said.
Skis and snowboards are increasingly being made with their front and rear tips pointed upward – reverse camber – as in skateboards. This design tip, also known as “banana technology” for its curved shape, allows skiers and snowboarders to carve through deep powder with greater efficiency and speed.
“Because (reverse-cambered) skis bend upward, you can float better in powder,” said Joe Stacher, owner of 4 Seasons Sports in downtown Lodi.
Because of San Joaquin County’s proximity to premiere ski locations, both Sundance Sports and 4 Seasons staff expect a busy winter season.
“Kirkwood’s a big draw because it’s so close,” Stacher said, “but really, we’re close to everywhere.”