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Ski Company with the Greatest Influence

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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,535
Curious as to people's opinions on what ski company has the most clout and influence on our sport within the industry in the most recent aspects. To keep it centralized I think it best to stick with just ski manufacturers,(not outerwear,etc), small or big doesn't matter! Could be because of ski design, graphics, riders, films they support, etc. So what company do you think is really influencing, leading, and shaping the ski industry TODAY?

(This is not meant to be a fanboy battle either).
Jan 9 2012 4:44PM
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Tikayt
Posts: 1031 - Karma: 1,543
I don't really care, I just test skis and judge if they're good enough for me according to my requierements.. I actually have k2 domain, not this year model.
Jan 9 2012 4:50PM
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scratchskier321
Posts: 2531 - Karma: 1,308
"armada is what skiing will become"
Jan 9 2012 5:00PM
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.jcrown
Posts: 18 - Karma: 10
Red Bull? it's a little odd that quite possibly the most influential companies in our sport is not a ski brand at all. 
Jan 9 2012 5:04PM
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*N_Wist*
Posts: 422 - Karma: 78
Id say on NS definitely ON3P. I see it so many threads and peoples answers
Jan 9 2012 5:18PM
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Skiingsnow
Posts: 1567 - Karma: 797
inb4 shitstorm
Jan 9 2012 5:19PM
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corona
Posts: 12752 - Karma: 32,264
no need to write more than a Line about this..
Jan 9 2012 5:22PM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
as much as on3p is talked about on ns, i hardly ever see people with them. and i ski at mt. hood... they're a sick company no doubt, but they havent made a huge effect on the ski world YET. i would say k2 just because they have been around for so long and they are under the same ownership as full tilt and line and such. armada is making moves however aswell, their team is stacked right now.
Jan 9 2012 5:24PM
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.jcrown
Posts: 18 - Karma: 10
Salomon, first company to successfully market a twin tip ski, the trendiest thing in skiing at the moment
Jan 9 2012 5:25PM
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ReignMan
Posts: 1852 - Karma: 226
change your name probably..

but i agree with all your posts.
Jan 9 2012 5:36PM
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corona
Posts: 12752 - Karma: 32,264
this would be up there, but he says in the most recent aspects. Recently Salomon really hasn't done much at all to influence the sport
Jan 9 2012 5:36PM
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t_rob
Posts: 6433 - Karma: 11,458
This thread essentially is just ask what is the first ski manufacturer you think of starting now. Okay, what was your answer? I'm guessing your answer is going to be Salomon or K2 with Line coming in a distant third on NS. It has to be a well known company and a company has to be well known to have influence because is that it doesn't matter what a company does it no ones knows about it.

Jan 9 2012 5:46PM
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Skiingsnow
Posts: 1567 - Karma: 797
whats are we defining as "influence on the sport"? im not argueing here but Salomon have been supporting some sick skiers for a long time and the new touring binding coming out soon looks pretty sick as well as the new boots and the new rocker range..
Jan 9 2012 5:52PM
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corona
Posts: 12752 - Karma: 32,264
well first it needs to be defined what this sport encompasses. For instance a new touring binding really won't have much influence on newschool skiing, which for the most part is based off park riding. same goes for rockered skies, although they have a larger spot in newschool skiing than an AT binding. boots are pretty universal and a new pair of boots doesn't change much.

then look at a company like Line, who recently put out the afterbang which is a new way of fabricating a cheap park specific ski. which is alone more influence on newschool skiing than anything salomon has done in the past few years.
Jan 9 2012 5:59PM
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CRiP
Posts: 1323 - Karma: 482
Click for larger image
Jan 9 2012 6:03PM
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,535
This post is what I was gunning for. I think we all acknowledge the creation of twintips, etc. So more recent things with staying power such as the example Vinnie use for the afterbang. Another could be Salomons edgeless tips in powder skis, 5 dimension skis, etc.

Really interested in right now, as opposed to very far back.
Jan 9 2012 6:27PM
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Che~
Posts: 2108 - Karma: 296
K2 no doubt. The ski industry is moving towards more rocker technologies in skis, and the entire k2 line of skis has some sort of rocker in them
Jan 9 2012 6:53PM
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coldcuts69
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 1,890
K2 shall reign supreme, and yeah even my silencers have rocker in the tips. I love this aspect of them.
Jan 9 2012 6:57PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
NS.com has a surprising reach, but I'm not sure about influence as a company. If you bunch its members together however... its a lot of skiers...
Jan 9 2012 7:02PM
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BusyJohnSohn
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 29
First one that came to my mind was armada. Up there with Line to be one of the first rider focused companies geared solely towards our sport. Their team has always been at the forefront of the sport. I think based on the insanity of their team at all times that they have the most influence, in every aspect of the sport whether that be filming or competitions, style or big tricks.
Jan 9 2012 7:04PM
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.jcrown
Posts: 18 - Karma: 10
Yes, rocker is a cool new technology. No, it's not the determining factor of whether a company is revolutionary or influential. Core construction, sidecut pattern, marketing, environmental impact, athlete selection and popularity are all equally as important. K2 is a rad company I agree, but for reasons other than that they put rocker on their skis. What about dynastar? The first company to make a womens specific ski. There's an entire genre of skis influenced by them
Jan 9 2012 7:05PM
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Alp1ne
Posts: 717 - Karma: 203
Salamon and line right now but i think armada is on its way to the top if they can get 1 more top comp skier then they will take #1

Also alot of the energy drinks, everytime im at the mountain at least 1 kid is mowing a monster or rockster or rebull.
Jan 9 2012 7:10PM
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Cult_Leader
Posts: 413 - Karma: 40
Armada and ON3P well at least on NS
Jan 10 2012 9:06PM
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SHastatahoe
Posts: 3414 - Karma: 19
I'm just going to say Shane McConkey.
Jan 10 2012 9:19PM
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rareison
Posts: 10263 - Karma: 218
Armada, Line, K2, Salomon
Jan 10 2012 9:47PM
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Parks.
Posts: 5612 - Karma: 1,093
line, k2, saloman, armada
Jan 10 2012 10:00PM
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Bill.Nye
Posts: 4060 - Karma: 2,109
I think Salomon has the most money, which might make them the most influential.

I would have guessed K2 had the most money but I did a little googling and it looks like Salomon has more.
Jan 10 2012 10:04PM
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Drail
Posts: 14011 - Karma: 10,001
It's funny because I would say Salomon, Line, and K2 (like other have already), but imo all their skis suck.

I'd put Line in the #1 spot even though I have never, EVER, had an interest in riding any of their skis.
Jan 10 2012 10:13PM
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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
inb4 boone ;)
Jan 10 2012 10:15PM
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ski@jaypeak2
Posts: 2800 - Karma: 394
"Line, because skiing needs a future"
Jan 10 2012 10:21PM
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Canepski
Posts: 335 - Karma: 26
first drop duhh
Jan 10 2012 10:31PM
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crab_pretzel
Posts: 3919 - Karma: 622
amrada
Jan 10 2012 10:39PM
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eastcoastplanker
Posts: 964 - Karma: 70
ninthward because theyre such good role models
Jan 11 2012 5:51AM
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viets2190
Posts: 7 - Karma: 10
lange... not as much freeski wise obviously... but you tell me someone you know who skis and doesnt know what lange boots were...

as of impact currently and right now, i see tons of kids getting on to k2 and line skis at our shop... 4frnt and armada are always asked about... full tilt as well

i think there needs to be a small company who breaks some boundaries though, cause i see alot of change and potential not being tapped right now.. keep your eyes open, big things are comin
Jan 11 2012 7:30AM
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PON3
Posts: 3817 - Karma: 783
Salomon and Rossignol for all mountain

Line for freestyle

K2 for leading the way in preference for Gapers lol jk
Jan 11 2012 4:55PM
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Kazabazua
Posts: 3529 - Karma: 1,128
This really comes down to the branding of the company. It's super subjective. Line aims it's advertising at a crowd with different demographics (age, money, gender, race) and psychographics (interests, hobbies, values) than say Dynastar or Salomon. Different companies have greater influence on different people. So this question will be different for everyone.

In my lifetime Salomon, Dynastar and Armada have been the most influential for me, I'm probably a little older than most of you guys though. Salomon had the first twins ever made and Dynastar was not far behind. Candide Thovex was like my idol back in the day and I had his pro models from Dynastar. Armada has definitely brought our sport to new heights along with Line, both are branded extremely well most likely due to the fact that they were 2 of the first big companies run by freeskiers. I think without Armada and Line specifically the way we see our sport would seem a lot different than it is today.

Peace.
Jan 11 2012 5:28PM
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forrest-cole
Posts: 1145 - Karma: 495
i'd say 5-10 years ago it was definitely K2

Now Armada no doubt, we'll see what happens 5 more years from now!
Jan 11 2012 5:30PM
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danbrown
Posts: 11932 - Karma: 21,775
shane, line, snowboarding
Jan 11 2012 5:30PM
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jennyboots
Posts: 114 - Karma: 9
K2...as they are the largest brand, with the most history . End of story.
Jan 12 2012 1:31AM
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Jibbidy
Posts: 787 - Karma: 19
K2 because of their history in pioneering the sport, and always sponsoring very progressive riders, right from the beginning.
Jan 12 2012 2:02AM
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Janky
Posts: 1323 - Karma: -100
def K2 for many reasons

Jan 12 2012 2:09AM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,012
K2 because they just own so many random companies that everything equates back to them
Jan 12 2012 2:10AM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
Im gonna say K2 made it what it was today. without them we wouldnt be where we are.



as far as salomon goes- Fuck them.

okokokok they have some great shit going for them but seriously their quality of product and customer service has honestly made me shameful/doubtful of what we do. My skis from them have fallen apart, and recently my SPKs strap tore off (i dont ski that hard, my biggest tricks are prolly a 5, or a 270 on)

Line is way to young (sure the company is older then me, but theyve only been making real twins for 10 years or so) in my opinion they kinda just go with the flow.

K2 may seem like its losing popularity, but its still one of the most innovative companies out there

Jan 12 2012 2:25AM
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Kazabazua
Posts: 3529 - Karma: 1,128
Salomon made the first twin tip buddy...
Jan 12 2012 2:49PM
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Static
Posts: 8491 - Karma: 4,059
line without a doubt, so many attempts at innovation:weapons, symmetrical and equal height tail twins, cool graphics, reactors, soul plate, grab tab, not all the best end products but at least they try to progress things.
Jan 12 2012 2:59PM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
did i say they didnt?
Jan 12 2012 4:12PM
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ski@jaypeak2
Posts: 2800 - Karma: 394
No they didnt, they made a twin specifically for the new canadian air force. Olin mach iv was the first, and LINE made the first "true twin".
Jan 13 2012 2:05AM
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Bread.
Posts: 769 - Karma: 540
i think soloman is droping quite a bit .they lost some sick comp skiers.I think line is doing a good job tc is dominating these days.also there skis are real nice to be on and they have some great minds (eric pollard )helping design them.i also think full tilt is doing well ..
Jan 13 2012 5:29AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6638 - Karma: 10,532
I think there are definite leaders in each category. Regardless of my own personal opinions and allegiances, these guys are definitely challenging our current industry. I remove Atomic from the discussion just so I don't blow my own horn...

In skis you would be hard pressed to not admit that K2 (not Line, etc) has seriously challenged what ski shape means on a global level. I emphasize global level because they are by no means the first to introduce this technology, but their impact is quite large and it has affected every brand and market on the planet.

In boots, 2 brands that I think are challenging things and impacting how we look at ski boots are Salomon and Fischer. Their innovations are interesting (I don't think perfect) but definitely getting the boot world thinking.

In bindings, Marker has without question influenced design in the recent years the most of any brand. Whether you hate them or not, they are the only brand that has legitimately challenged binding construction & design in the past 20 years.

With that said, I don't think these brands necessarily make the best products or offer the best solutions etc, etc. These are simply the current brands that are getting other brands to rethink what ski equipment looks and feels like.
Jan 13 2012 8:49AM
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