Hospitality & Tourism  November 13, 2015

Skiing with style

Hit the slopes with ski products made locally

Colorado residents planning to hit the slopes this ski season can do so with style, including with ski equipment and gear made by companies along the Front Range.

Colorado’s 2015 ski season officially began Oct. 29, with the opening of Loveland Ski Area, kicking off with 17 inches of natural snow.

Snowsports Industries of America calculates that the national number of downhill skiers, as well as the amount of snow sports market sales, were both up in the 2014-2015 season.  And Colorado does its part by providing a massive amount of mountain space to the cause.

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But the state also supports the industry with good number of local manufacturers that keep those skiers on the slopes.  Colorado companies are cranking out the needed equipment that includes skis, goggles, boots and outerwear.

“Flylow, for example, is a Denver-based company that makes really nice technical outerwear,” said Randy Morgan, owner of Outpost Sunsport, an outdoor retail store in Fort Collins.  “We carry Obermeyer, which is located in Aspen, as well.”


Go shopping

 www.flylowgear.com/shop

 www.obermeyer.com

 www.icelanticskis.com

 www.head.com/us

 www.apexskiboots.com


Flylow IQ pant and Lab Coat

Flylow was recognized by Snow Sports Industries of America in 2015 as the fastest-growing outerwear brand in the country.

Greg Steen and Dan Abrams, both Colorado natives, started Flylow in 2007 because they were looking for clothes that could handle the kinds of rigorous skiing they loved.  To fit that bill, Flylow’s Z-Line features gear that’s made with Polartec NeoShell, a top line breathable waterproof fabric.

One of the company’s outerwear pieces is the IQ Pant — one of Flylow’s lightest-weight, Polartec NeoShell product that’s built for the backcountry.

Flylow’s Lab Coat 2.0 is its toughest, most packable, three-layer storm shell. Made with Polartec NeoShell for breathability, the waterproof jacket combines backcountry-ready features with long-lasting durability.

Morgan’s second reference — Obermeyer in Aspen — got its start in 1947.  Klaus Obermeyer created Sport Obermeyer with the goal of keeping his ski-school students warm and dry.  The family-run business produces gear that ranges from mittens and scarves to jackets and sweaters.

Obermeyer Hunter Jacket and Essex pant

Obermeyer’s Hunter Jacket for men comes with more than seven pockets that can hold everything from a smartphone to goggles.  Built to withstand the elements, the jacket fabric is HydroBlock Sport 100 Polyester Strong Weave, and the insulation is Permaloft.

With safety in mind, the jacket includes a RECCO avalanche rescue reflector in case there’s a need for ski patrol to locate its wearer.

One of Obermeyer’s products for women is the Essex Pant.  With five different color patterns, the pants are made with Thinsulat Flex insulation and made to fit with flatter.  In addition to being completely snow proof, each of the different colored pants is made with a unique fabric that has its own subtle texture.

Icelantic Pioneer ski and Tyrol pack

Icelantic Skis, located in Denver, was one of the first ski companies to manufacture in the U.S.  The company’s skis are made at the Never Summer Factory, which is a Denver-based snowboard manufacturer.

Ben Anderson founded Icelantic in his parents garage in Evergreen in 2004.

One of Icelantics new all-mountain skis for the 2015-2016 season is the Pioneer.  The lightweight Bi-Axe construction is designed to perform in any condition, with a 96mm waist with 5mm of camber underfoot and a tapered early rise tip and tail.

Icelantic also makes clothing and accessories in the U.S. through collaborations.  The company’s retro pack, for example, is made by Golden-based Mountainsmith.

The Mountainsmith Tyrol backpack weighs in at two pounds and two ounces.  The multi-purposed backpack is made with Nylon Cordura, Nylon Webbing, a 3M Reflective Bungee and YKK zippers.

Head Vector Evo ski

Another local ski-equipment company is Head USA Inc. Founded in 1996, the mid-sized sporting and recreational goods wholesaler is in Boulder.

Head makes a wide range of ski equipment — from skis and bindings to boots and accessories.

One boot — the Vector Evo 110 — is built for intermediate to advanced shredders.  The form fit shell has a Perfect Fit S liner combined with the three-buckle construction and oversized top buckle that allows easy and quick buckling in and a snug fit.

Apex Peak Performance boot

Apex Skiboots in Boulder also carries a good range of boots.  The ML3 Peak Performance Ladies boot, for example, features 18 individual points of closure to assure a precise fit for top performance.  The liner includes Thinsulate for added warmth, and the external tongue construction makes for smooth closure and water shedding.

Morgan stressed the importance of finding boots that fit the level of skiing as well as the foot.  “We might actually encourage people to buy boots prior to buying skis,” he said.

“Soft goods are equally important.  If you’re not warm and comfortable, you’ll probably have a miserable time,” he said.

Breathable and waterproof are the key components in construction, he added.

Colorado residents planning to hit the slopes this ski season can do so with style, including with ski equipment and gear made by companies along the Front Range.

Colorado’s 2015 ski season officially began Oct. 29, with the opening of Loveland Ski Area, kicking off with 17 inches of natural snow.

Snowsports Industries of America calculates that the national number of downhill skiers, as well as the amount of snow sports market sales, were both up in the 2014-2015 season.  And Colorado does its part by providing a massive amount of mountain space to the…

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