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Girays_BrotherThe point I'm trying to make is that if we start throwing our money into the core brands, those brands will have more to throw directly into free skiing. I can guarantee you they care about the path of Freeskiing a hell of a lot more than the Huge Brands.
If we start to put more money into the core companies hands we can expect better control over that future of free skiing. I've been seeing tons of crazy shit happening lately that shouldn't be happening. and its because we don't have a strong following to the core companies. Skateboarding created their own brands, Snowboarding created their own brands, Surfing created their own brands. Our Niche of skiing on the other hand is controlled by racing brands.
saskskierMaybe I'm missing something, but haven't you been sponsored by Volkl for most of your professional career? Isn't it hypocritical to be critical of the big 'racing brands' when you are sponsored by one of the biggest?
Kbob94I agree. I remember at some point in time it felt like every pro out there rode Salomon.
Girays_BrotherI should've worded it differently, its not that they dont give nothing to free skiing, because they do pay a select few that are on the tippy top good money. Its that most really don't care about the free skiers in the end. The moment they get a new guy in charge of budgeting or the athlete gets hurt they can very quickly kick the skier to the curb and not think twice.
The point I'm trying to make is that if we start throwing our money into the core brands, those brands will have more to throw directly into free skiing. I can guarantee you they care about the path of Freeskiing a hell of a lot more than the Huge Brands.
If we start to put more money into the core companies hands we can expect better control over that future of free skiing. I've been seeing tons of crazy shit happening lately that shouldn't be happening. and its because we don't have a strong following to the core companies. Skateboarding created their own brands, Snowboarding created their own brands, Surfing created their own brands. Our Niche of skiing on the other hand is controlled by racing brands.
Orage dropped their entire team. I've seen professional buddies have their budgets, which are already too small, slashed in half. I've felt the results from Under Armour just because a new budgeting guy moved it. I see it everywhere right now, So I'm saying this out of experience.
Newschoolers is a powerful group of people and like anywhere else in economics, the consumer dollar holds a lot of power. Use it to support the guys that you know are in it for the long haul, and are trying to do something good for skiing, and trying to support athletes. This will make a huge difference for our future.
I hope this makes sense to everybody
FIBskiMy point of view on the small brand vs. big brand:
Over the past couple years there has been a rise in independent ski companies making it into the market. I think it is because 1) everyone likes a rider owned brand, and 2) they tend be cheaper in most cases and easier to deal with directly. Since the rise of the smaller ski companies the larger companies are experiencing loss in their goods sold, which are causing them to pullout of the free skiing market because frankly there is not much money to be made. Most companies are actually owned by a long list of investors that trickle down to no connection with skiing at all, but its how they're funded. The goal of these companies is to make money, and it is very difficult for them to do so when many of the free skiing population is looking to buy used, discounted, online retailer, independent company, or what have you.
Anyways, I believe its not the larger companies to blame, but the free skiing community itself. They will prosper regardless of the free skiing community because they are just "ski" brands. Sure they might have a more focused race program but its because there is money involved in racing. Kids involved with race programs buy new gear every year.
DeebieSkeebiesbig fan of supporting local brands like Surface, 4FRNT, etc. But honestly rossi and salomon engineer some of the best pieces of equipment out. you guys are high if you don't think the STH2's or FKS' aren't badass bindings.
tim_wallisch420its like politics, support companies whos product and outlook on the sport you like.
VirtikaWe are 100% rider owned and operated. We believe it helps us stay relevant, ahead of the trends, and keeps us involved with the industry in the deepest sense.
FIBskiYou keep saying that we need to throw our money into smaller ski companies and those ski companies to throw money back into the community. Well what does that mean?
