{"id":11462,"date":"2023-02-19T16:34:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-19T23:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.powder7.com\/ski-blog\/?p=11462"},"modified":"2023-02-19T17:40:52","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T00:40:52","slug":"small-ski-brands-that-matter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.powder7.com\/ski-blog\/small-ski-brands-that-matter\/","title":{"rendered":"Eight Small Ski Brands That Matter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in 2021 and has since been updated with our new favorite small ski brands. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ski small to go big.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Much like mega ski passes, you can make the argument that the biggest ski companies are almost too good. While there’s nothing wrong with blasting out thousands of pairs of world-class skis and shipping them all over the world, large-scale ski production just feels a bit canned. Where are the crusty characters? The grassroots inspiration? The skis built for skiers, by skiers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PHOTO: Jake Burchmore<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Beating to the same drum as the ski areas who remain ruggedly independent, a small collection of ski companies are keeping the soul of skiing alive. These are the places where the ski designers are the testers and the testers are the decision-makers and the decision-makers are the…well, you get it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a small company that started in a garage west of Denver, we will always be closely tied to the little guy. During our 13 years of existence, we’ve had a front row seat as we watched various companies sink, swim, and send it. So, in the name of originality, we want to share a little backstory on nine of our favorite small ski brands that matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coalition Snow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Coalition Snow SOS eats chop and crud for breakfast. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On a mission to claim space in the male dominated ski industry, Coalition Snow<\/a> is a ski and snowboard company for women, by women. It\u2019s not hard to find shredding ladies that inspire in the ski scene any more, but there\u2019s still a lot of room for more women in the design, marketing, and production of snow gear. That\u2019s where Coalition Snow comes in. Women deserve equipment that not only works well for them, but that helps them feel seen, supported, and welcomed in an intimidating environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In typical lady fashion, their business goes beyond turning a profit. They sponsor a scholarship<\/a> for indigenous women to help increase their access to backcountry education and gear. They host virtual discussions and sessions on backcountry travel and how to overcome mental blocks. Not to mention, the entire community they\u2019ve built for women to meet and connect over their shared love of sliding on snow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shop Coalition Snow<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Must-ski<\/strong>: SOS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Icelantic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Pow7 shares an athlete with Icelantic: Amy Jane David<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The idea for a ski company zipped into founder Ben Anderson’s brain when he was in high school. He pursued the notion through a short stint studying industrial design in college before returning to Evergreen, Colorado to begin building skis in his parents’ garage. That was 2002. By 2006, the dream had materialized into Icelantic Skis<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Icelantic is one of the most vibrant brands in skiing. They also happen to make some of the most fun skis in the industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Icelantic builds their shred sticks in Denver and runs the show out of their HQ just down the road from us here in Golden, Colorado. With a rockstar roster of employees, ambassadors, and athletes, Icelantic is a brand that you can’t help wanting to be part of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shop used and new Icelantic skis<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Must-ski (men’s): <\/strong>Nomad 115<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Must-ski (women’s): <\/strong>Nia Pro<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Folsom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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