If you’re looking for up-and-coming authentic brands direct from the heart of the snowboard scene, don't miss a visit to the Rider Owned Brands section at the ispo winter expo 07 in Munich, Feb 4-7, where emerging brands will do their best to entice interest amongst the jaded industry crew. Can’t make it to Germany? Relax; we’ve got a quick pick list below of some of the freshest players who are aiming for global domination. Since all rider-owned companies have roots in professional sport, their makers have in-depth knowledge of the requirements, demands, and target groups for their products, which helps set them apart from the pack. Labels such as Rome Snowboards, Albin Snowboards, Celtek, ICON, Mission Six, Imperium, Stepchild Snowboards, and Signal Snowboards have all come from this platform, and have gone on to infiltrate the snowboard scene en masse. Here’s the next batch of rider-owned contenders;
Ästhetiker Snowboards If you don't know who the Ästhetiker are, then you slept through the swift growth of one of Europe's most prominent snowboarding crews. “Born” in the Zillertal, the Ästhetiker quickly became the center of European snowboarding culture: be it Tell-Ä-Vision - an authentic TV series on the life of snowboard pros, the special 4star TTR Event at the Penken, their local mountain in Mayrhofen, or their selection of snowboards and apparel; the Ästhetiker have their fingers in every aspect of European snowboard business.
www.aesthetiker.com
CelsiusCelsius' primary origin is the footwear segment. Founded in 2003 in San Diego and Salt Lake City, Celsius has had one goal since its official launch in winter 2005/2006: enrich the footwear market with fresh, clean styles. It’s a hard slog, but these guys are already running at a swift jog.
www.celsiussnow.com Omatic Snowboards “Perfection” is probably the best word for what the O-Matic Team, consisting of snowboard pros (Andreas Wiig, Tara Dakides, Todd Richards) are aiming for in the construction of their snowboards. At the same time the three founders have the ambitious goal to return snowboarding to its former glory and to attract more people to the sport. They shouldn’t have a problem accomplishing their goal – the offer a plus in performance and high-quality products at economical prices.
www.omaticsnowboards.com
Aaven SnowboardsIn his 17-year-career as a snowboard pro Sebastian Vassoney learned what it takes to meet the daily demands on the slopes and to develop products, which reflect the original spirit of snowboarding. The result is the French-Finnish label Aaven Snowboards, whose freestyle-oriented hardware collection will be presented to an international audience for the first time at the ispo winter 07.
www.aavensnowboards.com