2022 Head Boot Brand Profile

2022 Head Boot Brand Profile         Over most of Head’s storied history as a ski brand, lighter weight hasn’t exactly been top of mind. They’ve been better known for building battleships as opposed to skiffs. Two pivotal shifts, one global and one...

Nordica 2022 Boot Brand Profile

2022 Nordica Boot Brand Profile         No other leather boot maker profited more from the transition to injected plastic shells than Nordica. During most of the 1970’s and 80’s, Nordica’s unit share of the world market was so dominant the only...

Tecnica 2022 Boot Brand Profile

2022 Tecnica Boot Brand Profile         A decade ago, Tecnica was at a point in its evolution where it had to change. The brand still had market mojo, but the line was due for an upgrade. Once a brand decides it needs new molds, all ideas are on...
Stöckli Brand Profile

Stöckli Brand Profile

Overview Our spider sense tingles when we hear the term “handmade” applied to skis, as the implication is that such slats will receive extraordinary care in manufacture no mass-produced ski can hope to receive.  One reason we look sideways at the “handmade” qualifier...
Völkl Brand Profile

Völkl Brand Profile

Overview  Völkl didn’t actually invent the concept of quality control, but denizens of our little corner of the universe can be forgiven for thinking so.  It set the standard for base finish for so long, if someone gave a trophy for the best QC they’d have to name it...