Ski Brands

When we think of skiing (or actually ski), the present day is much different than how skiing came to be. Skiing is a sport that can be enjoyed very casually or highly competitively. Yet, skiing didn’t begin as a sport at all. As early as 5,000 years ago, stone hunters strapped on pieces of wood on their feet to glide through the snow and track animals. They quickly discovered how much easier it was to glide, as opposed to trekking through deep snow, and their catchings from the hunt increased exponentially.

This continued throughout history, and over time the “technology” surrounding these rudimentary pieces of wood gradually improved. By the 18th century, the Swedish Army was training with skis. Recognizing the need to secure their borders and move in hostile, snowy climates, skis were necessities for the infantry and a part of their training regimen.

Over time, skiing as a sport evolved, and the corresponding infrastructure (ski resorts) were built. The global ski gear and equipment market is valued at roughly $1.8 billion. Yet, this does not take into account the resorts, hotel, and airline revenue. Snowsports alone in the US generate $20 billion. Multiplying that worldwide to resorts in Canada, Europe, and Asia and $100 billion would not be a stretch.

The motor behind the sport are the brands. Because skiing is comprised of a multitude of “parts,” (skis, boots, bindings, clothing), each part features great brands that manufacturer said part. The following are the most popular on the market today:

Skis

This naturally starts with the ski. The choices for the consensus number one brand for skis, bindings, clothes, etc. is not a consensus. These are simply examples of the leading brands because we know each of these categories has a host of killer brands. For skis, many would agree that Völkl takes the cake. German engineering at its finest, George Völkl started this company nearly a century ago, and its iconic M5 Mantra is one of the leading all-performance skis on the market today.

Ski Bindings

The ski binding is the device that holds the ski boot onto the ski. They’re important from a safety perspective (if you get into trouble, bindings need to easily detach from the ski), but they also serve in absorbing shocks and minimizing vibrations. While there are no consensus winners, it would be hard to find folks who don’t agree that Marker is the best, if not one of the best, manufacturers of ski bindings. The Griffon 13 ID is exceptionally maneuverable, lightweight, and boasts a lengthy track record of great performance amongst professional skiers.

Ski Boots

Salomon is the Nike of ski boots. They were one of the first to scale the business to heights that had never been seen nor imagined. Skiing had always been a niche sport, but Salomon treated it as if it were football or basketball. They churned out a considerable variety of boots, and the QST Pro 100 TR is the go-to boot for intermediate and expert skiers. It features a modest flex level, is easy to fit to most feet, and best yet, affordable.

Ski Outerwear

Last, the outerwear. One thing is your equipment, but another are the clothes. Take it from someone who has been in a blizzard skiing. Having a so-so jacket and pants is an absolute nightmare. Thankfully, The North Face has skiers covered. The North Face is a brand that has expanded out to leisurewear as well. The Fuse Brigandine Ski Jacket is a skier favorite, standing up to extreme conditions on both a skiing and mountaineering side. Your scribe has even seen folks walking around Chicago with this jacket as well.

Any of these ski brands are great choices to round out your next winter vacation. Now on to the more expensive part – the resort!